Many teens and adults eager to straighten their grins want to avoid the hassle of traditional braces. Thankfully, your dentist has a more subtle solution with Invisalign. This alternative orthodontic method relies on clear plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to reposition them without drawing unwanted attention.
However, it’s normal to feel anxious if you know you’ll be starting treatment soon and are unsure what to expect. Keep reading to learn about three things you can do ahead of time to be ready to begin Invisalign confidently!
Preparation #1: Improve Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Your clear aligners will be pressed over your teeth and gums for 22 hours daily to keep your pearly whites from reverting to their previous positions. This traps unhealthy bacteria against them all day and night, increasing the likelihood of developing oral issues like cavities or gum disease. You’ll need to clean your teeth more frequently once you get started to keep them at bay.
One of the best ways to prevent a potential problem is by brushing and flossing more frequently now. Not only does this implement a new healthy habit of removing food and plaque from your mouth more often, but it also improves your mouth’s ability to resist potential decay and damage.
Preparation #2: Create a Dental Kit
Caring for your mouth properly at home is easy because all the supplies you need are easily accessible. However, once you start treatment, you’ll wear Invisalign all day, meaning lunch, snacks, and other meals might occur elsewhere. It helps to keep a kit that contains everything you’ll need to clean your teeth at school, in the office, or on the road.
Helpful items to include are a travel-sized toothbrush and tube of toothpaste, floss, and a small bottle of mouthwash. You can also keep Tylenol or ibuprofen with a bottle of water if you develop aches or inflammation when switching to a new set of trays.
Preparation #3: Determine Your Budget
Although there are health benefits to straightening your smile, Invisalign is usually considered a cosmetic treatment because its primary function is to improve your appearance. As a result, there’s no guarantee that your dental insurance will cover it.
It’s worth taking the time to verify the details of your plan so you know exactly what’s included and whether it can apply to elected orthodontics. If not, it’s a good idea to calculate your budget so you know what you can comfortably afford without breaking the bank.
Now that you know how to prepare, you’ll be eager and ready to start straightening your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Barry Miller enjoys helping people of all ages build happy, healthy teeth and gums for life. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from The Ohio State University in 2021, and is committed to ongoing education in advanced topics like Digital Dentistry and CEREC restorations. He offers a full array of services to meet all of your family’s dental needs conveniently under one roof. Then, he uses state-of-the-art technology and techniques to improve your comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. If you’re interested in Invisalign, you can request a consultation on the website or call (937) 642-3434.