Since there aren’t any dietary restrictions, the aligners are comfortable, and you don’t need to make any drastic changes to your oral hygiene regimen, the transition into life with clear aligners is typically pretty smooth. That said, many patients find it helpful to prepare so they are ready for the smaller, unexpected changes, like brushing after each meal. With this in mind, keep reading to learn four ways you can prepare for Invisalign!
1. Find Filling, Well-Balanced Meals You Enjoy
Although every Invisalign treatment plan is unique, there are some things that are universal, like the 20+ hour-a-day wear time. Since there is a limited amount of aligner-free time each day, patients don’t typically have a lot of time for snacking. That’s why it’s helpful to find filling, well-balanced meals you enjoy! Starting that process now will help prevent you from feeling hangry or frustrated once your orthodontic treatment begins.
2. Start Brushing Your Teeth After Each Meal
To reduce your risk of tooth decay and prevent your aligners from turning yellow, you need to brush your teeth after each meal, including lunch. If that’s not a part of your daily routine already, then now’s the time to start making this a habit! Doing so will help you navigate completing your oral hygiene regimen when you’re at a restaurant, at the office, or out running errands – basically any time you aren’t at home.
3. Buy Travel-Sized Oral Hygiene Essentials
The key to making brushing and flossing on-the-go easy is keeping travel-sized oral hygiene essentials with you. In other words, keep a small toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash in one of your drawers at work or in a pouch in your purse. That way, keeping your teeth (and your trays!) clean is easy.
4. Figure Out the Financials
If you haven’t figured out how you’re going to pay for your Invisalign treatment, now is the time! If you are insured, start by reviewing the fine print on your dental insurance plan to see if your provider will cover a portion of the cost. If you don’t have dental insurance, then ask your orthodontist about the financial solutions they offer. Many welcome flexible financing with CareCredit, which allows you to pay for your treatment in smaller, more manageable chunks.
About the Practice
Our team at Simply Orthodontics, Wayland offers several types of braces, including Invisalign. So, if you want to straighten your teeth with basically invisible aligners, then take the next step: schedule a consultation with us via our website or by phone at (508) 358-6300. From there, we can determine if you’re a candidate and, if you are, guide you through the teeth-straightening process with clear aligners!