6 Things That Can Damage Invisalign Aligners
Posted on: 6 May 2022
Many dental patients like Invisalign for its flexibility and simplicity. But Invisalign requires patients to practice a higher level of discipline than traditional braces. Invisalign aligners are fragile. Certain actions can damage an Invisalign aligner and render it ineffective.
The success and speed of your Invisalign treatment depends on how well you care for your aligners. The following elements can damage Invisalign aligners.
1. Hard or crunchy foods
Some orthodontists allow their patients to eat while wearing their aligners. But if you and your orthodontist do decide that eating in your aligners is fine, avoid eating hard foods like nuts, boiled candy and crunchy or well-done bacon. These food items can scratch or even crack a soft Invisalign aligner.
2. Foods with strong colouring
One of the reasons patients choose Invisalign is that the treatment is discreet. The clearness of Invisalign aligners makes them difficult to see whilst you wear them. But the aligners can stain if you expose them to foods with strong colouring on a regular basis. Rinsing your mouth out after meals can help but there may still be some staining if you eat with your aligners in.
Remember, if your aligners stain, they won't be invisible anymore.
3. Prolonged sunlight
Be careful when you take your aligners out. Exposure to direct sunlight for a prolonged period can warp Invisalign aligners. A warped aligner will no longer be able to serve its purpose. If you have to take your Invisalign aligners out, store them in a container away from direct sunlight. This is especially important to remember if you go on holiday to a sunny place during your treatment.
4. Hot liquids
Just as the heat of the sun can warp aligners, so too can hot liquids. If you drink hot drinks regularly, remove your aligners while you drink. Once the drink has cooled down, you can place your aligners.
5. Removing aligners with too much force
Sometimes, after you have kept an aligner in for a prolonged period, you might have some trouble removing it. But don't be tempted to use a lot of force when removing an aligner. If you scratch your aligner, it will be more visible to others. And you could even crack an aligner by removing it with too much force. Use an aligner remover to remove aligners without damaging them.
6. Cleaning aligners too forcefully
You only need to be gentle when cleaning your aligners. A soft toothbrush and water is enough each night. Don't scrub your aligners or you will scratch them. Look further into Invisalign for more information.
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