Clear aligners are an alternative to braces that use clear molded trays instead of metal brackets, wires and elastics. Clear aligners offer patients a less noticeable way to straighten their teeth; however, they also place a slightly greater burden on care and proper usage with the patient.
If patients do not follow the outlined instructions for how long to wear aligners and how to properly care for their teeth while using aligners, serious consequences can arise. While using clear aligner trays might sound simple — you take them out and put them in — to get the best results and keep teeth healthy and free of problems, patients need to pay attention to more than that.
When not wearing corrective applications like braces or aligners, patients are encouraged to brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day and after meals when possible. If a patient is using aligners, this recommendation goes up and is even more important. To keep teeth free of cavities while wearing aligners, it is important that patients try to brush and floss every time they eat. Aligners closely cover both the front and back of teeth, potentially trapping food particles and sugars between the aligners and the teeth. This creates an environment where plaque can thrive. Tooth decay and enamel breakdown will rapidly accelerate if wearers never clean their teeth while using aligners.
Wearers of clear aligners will have to get used to removing them each time they eat and cleaning their teeth before replacing them. Here are a few tips patients can use to keep teeth clean and healthy while wearing aligners:
It is important for patients to realize that they do not necessarily have to use toothpaste each time they clean their teeth after eating. The most important thing is to remove any food particles and sugars that may be present on teeth after eating or drinking something besides water.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Clear Aligners in Cumming, GA.
Clear aligners can be a wonderful option for correcting crooked teeth or other orthodontic issues, but just like with traditional braces, caring for teeth during the process may be a little different than usual. To avoid potential issues like dental caries, tooth decay and gum disease, it is important for patients to clean their teeth thoroughly before replacing the aligners. Cleaning after eating and drinking is particularly important and may require a little extra effort on the patient’s part: a small price to pay for a straight, healthy smile.
Request an appointment or call Cumming's Family Dentist at 770-205-9226 for an appointment in our Cumming office.
A tooth abscess is an infection that begins in the mouth and can spread to other body regions. Gum disease and tooth decay are often the outsets of a spot. A tooth abscess is much more likely in those with poor oral hygiene habits. Anyone experiencing the condition should visit the emergency dentistry office as…
Emergency dentistry can provide immediate relief from the discomfort that you may be experiencing. While waiting for your turn, you can do a few things to help your situation. Knowing what to do can prepare your teeth and gums for urgent treatment.If a patient wants to know what they can do while waiting to see…
You might need emergency dentistry if you have a tooth infection. Emergency dentistry can help relieve the pain and discomfort associated with tooth infections. Emergency dentistry can also help to prevent the spread of tooth infections.Tooth infections occur when there is an infection in the tooth's pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue that contains…