Patients with crooked teeth may worry that they cannot enhance their smiles without the hassle of traditional metal braces. Clear braces and aligners have revolutionized cosmetic dentistry by offering a subtle way to straighten teeth.
Throughout this 12 to 18 month treatment, you should take care of your appliances to keep your smile looking and feeling its best. Dr. Alan Dechter and Dr. Matthew Moy, dentists located in Silver Spring, MD, offer tips for keeping your clear aligners clean during teeth straightening treatment.
Remove Aligners When Eating and Drinking
Aligners like ClearCorrect feature clear-colored plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit and straighten your unique smile. Your dentist will provide you with the materials you need to swap your aligners every two weeks to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
One of the advantages of this treatment is that the clear aligners are removable. You will not have dietary restrictions with these fixtures, unlike traditional braces.
In fact, your dental professional will recommend that you remove your aligners when eating and drinking. This way, food particles will not become trapped in the aligners and cause damage to your teeth or the appliance.
Continue Good Oral Hygiene Habits
The removable clear aligners also allow you to continue your typical oral hygiene routine without interruption. You should take care of your teeth as you normally would, which means flossing daily and brushing teeth twice a day.
Keeping your teeth clean ensures that they stay healthy and look their best. When your teeth are free from plaque or other build-ups, they will create less of a mess for your aligners too.
Practice Separate Cleaning for Aligners
You should practice an oral hygiene regimen for your aligners too outside of your teeth and gums. Though your aligners cannot decay, they can still garner plaque throughout your day.
This plaque could affect your aligners and leave unattractive stains on the fixture. You should brush the aligners when you complete your usual oral hygiene routine and rinse the aligners after eating.
Clear Braces and Cosmetic Dentistry in Silver Spring, MD
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy offer clear braces and other cosmetic dental treatments to patients in Silver Spring, MD. Our practice also specializes in restorative and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule a consultation with us, contact our staff online or reach us by phone at 301.508.9755.