Helping Mississauga area patients care for clear braces

There was a time when adults rarely considered orthodontia for straighter, more attractive smiles. There was also a time when achieving that smile meant wearing obvious, uncomfortable brackets, bands, and wires. Today Invisalign clear braces make it easy for Mississauga teens and adults to look great while they straighten comfortably.

Invisalign is a series of computer-designed aligners made of a smooth, transparent plastic. You advance to the next set about every two weeks to gently move teeth into proper alignment. The aligners are removable, so you are able to eat the foods you enjoy and keep your teeth sparkling clean during treatment.

Plaque and food particles can become trapped in aligners, coming into contact with your teeth and potentially contributing to tooth decay and gum disease. How do you care for the aligners, to keep them clean, your breath fresh, and avoid the expense of replacement?

It’s actually quite easy, and takes less than ten minutes. Dr. Rina Kotecha and her hygiene team at Dentistry on 10 share these tips on caring for clear braces:

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Take the aligner out of your mouth and rinse it under tepid water.
• Apply non-abrasive toothpaste to a soft toothbrush or one designed for retainers. Gently brush the aligner inside and out with small circular motions.
• Rinse it again with tepid water.
• Aligners can get tartar build-up, just like your teeth, so check for a cloudy white deposit that doesn’t brush away easily.
• If you discover a build-up, soak the retainer in a denture cleanser, following package directions. Invisalign also offers a special product for cleaning aligners – ask Dr. Kotecha for more information on where to purchase it.
• Once you’ve cleaned both aligners, lay them on a clean towel while you brush and floss your teeth, and then replace them.
• When it’s time to advance to the next set, clean the previous aligners, allow them to dry, and keep them in their storage case. You might possibly need to return to a previous set, and you’ll want it clean and free of bacteria.

It’s important to know what to avoid. Don’t soak your aligners in mouthwash – they could absorb some of the color of the liquid. Don’t use hot water to rinse aligners because it can distort their shape.

Would you like more information on how Invisalign clear braces are changing Mississauga smiles? Call (905) 455-9262 for a consultation with Dr. Kotecha.