Your Invisalign Dentist In The Northeast Near Philadelphia, PA Offers Tips For Continued Oral Health

For many individual who want to improve the look of their smile, teeth straightening with Invisalign makes perfect sense. This system has evolved since it was first developed and is now used to handle a number of misalignment issues, including some bite problems such as underbite or overbite. There are a number of advantages to achieving smile goals with the Invisalign aligner system. At the same time, there are aspects of care that need to be considered for the maintenance of oral health.

The primary “requirement” of Invisalign treatment is that aligners must be worn about 22 hours a day; essentially, anytime besides during meals and oral hygiene. Due to the fact that aligners are removed several times a day, it can be easy to assume teeth will remain healthy throughout the course of treatment with basic brushing and flossing. Ideally, teeth and gums will receive a bit of extra attention to ensure the risk of cavities and gum disease does not increase.

Invisalign aligners are a wonderful way to achieve smile goals. Covered by clear plastic most of the hours in each day, teeth will move progressively in the right direction. The better teeth are cared for throughout treatment, the less chance there is of tiny food particles lingering between teeth. The less food and sugar residue left behind after meals, the lower the source of “nutrition” for oral bacteria. The less there is for bacteria to feed on, the less chance there is of acidic byproduct, equating to a significantly lower risk of cavities.

Teeth should appear white and shiny as they are straightened in Invisalign treatment. Gums should be pink and comfortable. If gum tissue becomes irritated, sore, swollen, and red, or if gums bleed when teeth are brushed, this is an indication of oral bacteria at work. If these symptoms appear during Invisalign treatment, dental care should be sought to ensure gum disease does not progress. Another indicator of a potential problem with oral bacteria is persistent bad breath.

Ideally, toothbrushing for the Invisalign patient will occur after each meal. When teeth cannot be brushed, the mouth can be rinsed with cool water. Trays, as well, can be rinsed with cool water after meals to keep them as clean as possible.

Enjoy the benefits of loving your smile! Contact Innovative Dental By Dr. A today.