Mint Hill Smiles

Dentist in Mint Hill, NC

Clear Aligner Care Instructions | Mint Hill Smiles

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Clear aligners work because they are in your mouth doing their job almost all day,

every day. The results depend more on you than on almost any other treatment we offer, because the aligners only move your teeth when you are wearing them. Here is how to get the best result.

Wear Time Is Everything

  • – Wear your aligners 22 hours per day. Take them out only to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth. 
  • – The most common reason aligner treatment falls behind is not wearing them enough. The trays only work while they are in.
  • – Switch to your next set of aligners on the schedule we give you, usually every one to two weeks.

Eating and Drinking

  • – Always remove your aligners to eat and to drink anything other than plain water. Chewing with aligners in can crack them, and sugary or colored drinks get trapped against your teeth and can cause decay and staining.
  • – Brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. If you cannot brush, at least rinse your mouth and the aligners.
  • – Never drink hot beverages with aligners in, as heat can warp them.
Healthy gums and whole body health, gum disease treatment in Mint Hill NC

Cleaning Your Aligners

  • – Rinse your aligners every time you remove them.
  • – Clean them gently with a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap or a designated aligner cleaner. Avoid colored or abrasive toothpaste, which can scratch and cloud them.
  • – Rinse in lukewarm, never hot, water.
  • – Store them in their case when they are not in your mouth. Wrapping them in a napkin is the number one way aligners get thrown away by accident.

What Is Normal

  • – New aligners often feel tight and your teeth may feel sore for a day or two each time you switch sets. This is the aligner working, and the soreness fades as your teeth move.
  • – A slight lisp for the first few days is common and goes away as you adjust.

When to Call Us

Call (704) 323-7577 if an aligner cracks or does not fit, if you lose a tray, or if you fall behind on wear time and are not sure how to get back on track.
FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Wear your aligners 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth. Wearing them less than this is the most common reason treatment falls behind, because the aligners only move your teeth while they are in.

No. Always remove your aligners to eat and to drink anything other than plain water. Chewing can crack them, and sugary or colored drinks get trapped against your teeth and can cause decay and staining.
Rinse them whenever you remove them, clean them gently with a soft toothbrush and clear unscented soap or an aligner cleaner, and rinse in lukewarm water. Avoid colored or abrasive toothpaste and never use hot water, which can warp them.
Yes. A new set of aligners often feels tight and your teeth may be sore for a day or two as they begin to move. This is expected and the discomfort fades. It is a sign the aligners are working.
If you do not wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, your teeth do not move as planned and your treatment falls behind. Your aligners may stop fitting correctly, which can require backtracking to a previous tray. Consistent wear is the single most important factor in your result.
Call us at (704) 323-7577. Depending on where you are in your trays, we may advise you to move to the next set, go back to the previous one, or replace the tray. Do not simply leave your aligners out while you wait, since your teeth can shift.
Yes. Teeth naturally tend to drift over time, and a retainer holds the result your treatment achieved. Wearing your retainer as directed is what protects the investment you made in straightening your teeth.

Questions after your appointment?

Call Mint Hill Smiles at (704) 323-7577. We are at 11300 Cresthill Drive, Suite 105, Mint Hill, NC 28227.
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