One of the things that distinguishes Invisalign from other methods of orthodontics is the fact that they’re removable. This allows you to avoid dietary restrictions and makes cleaning a little bit easier, both of which add to the convenience of the treatment.
However, it doesn’t change the fact that cleaning your teeth is incredibly important while pursuing Invisalign treatment, particularly after meals. Flossing, for example, is critical for keeping tooth decay at bay. Here’s how you should do it while wearing your Invisalign.
When Should I Floss With Invisalign?
Flossing is always important, but even more so when you wear clear aligners. If you have food in between your teeth they’ll be trapped in the plastic trays, allowing them to feed bacteria and create oral health problems much faster than they could otherwise.
For this reason, it’s recommended to floss your teeth after each meal before you replace your trays.
How to Floss With Invisalign
Flossing multiple times a day may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Here’s a simple guide for doing it effectively:
- Remove Your Aligners: Before flossing, take out your Invisalign aligners to access your teeth fully.
- Choose the Right Floss: Use a gentle, waxed dental floss. If traditional floss is challenging, consider a floss threader, water flosser, or pre-threaded floss picks.
- Cut an Appropriate Length of Floss: Cut about 18 inches of floss and wrap the ends around your middle fingers, leaving a few inches to work with.
- Floss Between Each Tooth: Gently slide the floss between your teeth. Curve it into a “C” shape against each tooth, flossing below the gumline. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
- Be Gentle: Avoid snapping the floss into your gums to prevent irritation. Floss thoroughly but gently.
- Rinse Your Mouth: After flossing, rinse with water or mouthwash to remove any loosened debris.
- Clean Your Aligners: Clean your aligners before reinserting them using a soft toothbrush or Invisalign cleaning crystals.
- Reinsert Your Aligners: Once your teeth and aligners are clean, carefully place them back in your mouth.
About Our Practice
At St. Albans Dental, we want to be your home for everything you need regarding your oral health. Whether you’re coming to us to straighten your teeth with Invisalign or just of a simple checkup, we’ll make sure that you get the compassion and respect that you deserve for the entire time that you’re here. We also know that every patient is completely different, which is why we do what we can to get to know you as an individual before offering care.
If you have any questions about maintaining your Invisalign, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (802) 524-4844.