Wearing clear Invisalign aligners has become a very popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Not only are they effective, but they are also less painful, more convenient, and almost unnoticeable when you wear them.

If you’re planning on getting Invisalign or already have them, there are a few important tips that you need to know to get the most out of them and make sure your adjustment goes smoothly:

• Follow the 48-hour recommendation for each new aligner tray

When you replace your aligner tray with a new one, you should wear them as much as possible during the first two days. Ideally you should only take them out when you brush your teeth, and then put them right back immediately after.

• Wear for at least 22 hours each and every day

For Invisalign to be effective you need to commit to wearing them for at least 22 hours of every day. The two hours when they’re not worn should be used for eating, drinking non-clear beverages, and dental care.

• Stick to the schedule and change aligners on time

Typically you’ll need to change your aligners every two weeks. It is important to stick to that schedule, and switch them on time.

• Start wearing new aligners at night

After you switch to new aligner trays there will be some discomfort at first. While it shouldn’t be that severe, you can avoid the worst of it by starting to wear new aligners at night and then sleeping through it.

• Store older aligners safely

When you do change your aligners, don’t just throw away the old ones. Instead, make it a point to store them safely so that they can be used as a backup in case your current aligners get damaged. Wearing old aligners may not be ideal, but at least it will be better than not wearing aligners while waiting for a replacement.

• Clean your aligners regularly

If aligners aren’t cleaned regularly they can easily end up stained and will start to be very noticeable. To avoid that and to ensure that bacteria doesn’t build up you should clean them once a day using a gentle anti-bacterial soap.

• Be sure to floss and brush frequently

It is very important that you floss and brush frequently when using Invisalign. Because your teeth will be completely encased by the aligners, bacteria can easily get trapped and your saliva won’t rinse them off. To avoid tooth decay and other complications you should try brushing and flossing after every meal before you put the aligners back in.

If you have any further questions, your best bet would be to contact your dentist or an Invisalign Cardiff specialist. Odds are your dentist will explain exactly what you need to do when you first get aligners – but it doesn’t hurt to ask for clarification if there’s anything that you aren’t sure about.

All said and done if you follow these tips you’ll be able to properly straighten your teeth and get the smile that you want much more quickly.