Invisalign clear aligners allow you to straighten your teeth without the uncomfortable roughness of brackets and wires in your mouth. One big difference between traditional metal braces and Invisalign trays is that the aligners are completely removable, allowing you a variety of unique benefits, so long as you’re diligent about wearing them for 20-22 hours a day. Read on for three tips to help you meet your wear time.
Why is it Important to Wear Your Trays for a Set Amount of Time?
Unlike traditional braces that are permanently cemented to your smile, your Invisalign trays will only straighten your teeth so long as they’re in your mouth. This makes remembering to put them back in your mouth after eating, brushing, and flossing crucial in order to achieve your final results in the timeline originally outlined by your dentist in Dallas.
3 Tips to Help You Meet Your Invisalign Wear Time
To reap all of the benefits that Invisalign aligners have to offer, follow these helpful tips to meet your wear time of 20 to 22 hours each day.
Stick to a Schedule
By establishing a routine, you’ll be less likely to accidentally forget to put your trays back in your mouth. Take 15 minutes to eat breakfast, 30 minutes for lunch, and an hour for dinner—this schedule leaves ample room for your trays to be out for snacking and oral hygiene.
Use a Reminder App
With everything else going on in your life, it can be hard to keep track of how long you’ve had your trays in your mouth for. One easy way to do this is by using a special app on your smartphone, like TrayMinder. It’s free to download and even has an add-on you can purchase for your Apple Watch for just $1.99!
Become a Great Multi-Tasker
One of the best ways to minimize the amount of time that your trays aren’t in your mouth is to get good at multi-tasking! While your trays are out for dinner, get a head start on cleaning them by placing them in cleaning crystals. These small, but intentional actions can help you stay on track with wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day.
About the Author
Dr. Arrechea has over 20 years of experience practicing dentistry and loves seeing her patients smile and feel confident in their oral health. She’s proud to offer removable full and partial dentures as well as relining services to help her patients get the most out of their replacement teeth. To learn whether your dentures need to be adjusted, visit Daily Smiles Dental Dallas’ website or call 214-624-6221 today to schedule an examination.