Whether your Invisalign consultation is just around the corner or your first set of aligners is already on its way, you might be doing a lot of research about this discreet orthodontic treatment. Since it’s relatively hassle-free (i.e., no dietary restrictions, no complicated oral hygiene regimens), the transition to life with clear aligners should be smooth. With that said, there are bound to be some surprises that come up along the way. Fortunately, you can help prevent that from happening by learning five easy ways to get prepared for Invisalign!
1. Buy Travel-Sized Oral Hygiene Products
To keep your teeth (and your aligners) clean, you will need to brush and floss your teeth after each meal throughout your Invisalign treatment. Naturally, bringing all of your oral hygiene products from home can be quite inconvenient and bulky. That’s why patients are encouraged to buy a travel-sized toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash!
2. Create an On-the-Go Dental Kit
Once you purchase all of the supplies you need, it’s helpful to keep them all together. That way, you have everything you need whether you are eating lunch at the office or grabbing a bite with friends at a restaurant.
Bonus tip: it’s also helpful to keep an over-the-counter pain reliever in your kit. This will ensure that you can quickly address any soreness you experience from wherever you are!
3. Plan Out Your Mealtimes
One of the biggest “rules” of Invisalign is that you need to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day. This may seem like an unrealistic goal at first, but it becomes significantly more manageable with some planning. For example, dedicating 30 minutes to breakfast, 30 minutes to lunch, and 30 minutes to dinner will still leave you with plenty of time for snacks, as well as some wiggle room in case one of your meals goes longer than expected.
4. Start Brushing Your Teeth After Each Meal
Brushing your teeth after each meal may sound easy enough, but it’s still a good idea to start developing this habit now. This will ensure it’s a part of your daily routine by the time you start Invisalign. Plus, it will help you get used to brushing at the office, while running errands, etc.
5. Figure Out the Financials
Want to pay for your entire treatment upfront? Prefer to space out your payments into manageable chunks? Whatever the case may be, it’s helpful to figure out the details now. The appointment where you get your aligners will be packed with everything from bonding your attachments in place to teaching you how to properly put on and remove your trays. So, it’s a good idea to get the financial side of your treatment taken care of beforehand.
About the Doctor
Dr. Jordan Hardin is a talented, experienced, and dedicated dentist, and his passion for providing world-class care hasn’t gone unnoticed – he was nominated as a top 10% dentist in the country! Since earning his DDS degree from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry in Lincoln, he has pursued countless hours of continuing education and maintained active memberships with professional organizations like the American Academy of Clear Aligners. If you would like to learn more about the Invisalign treatment process and how you can prepare for life with clear aligners, visit his website or call (972) 964-8989.