8 Things You Can and Can’t Do with Invisalign

8 Things You Can and Can’t Do with Invisalign

Invisalign is now one of the most popular options when it comes to orthodontic treatments, due to its subtle yet effective impact.

We’ve put together this handy guide to help clear up any uncertainties regarding what you can and can’t do with Invisalign retainers in.

Things You Can Do

Due to the ease with which you can remove and store Invisalign retainers, there are plenty of things you can do during treatment. It’s as easy as popping them back in their container for safety, or in many cases, leaving them in altogether. Here are just a few of the things you can do with Invisalign:

Speak Clearly

Invisalign aligners are well-known for their minimal impact on your speech. At first, you might find yourself getting used to the new feeling, but any slight lisp or speech adjustment is short-lived. Unlike traditional braces, which can sometimes hinder clear speech, Invisalign aligners are so sleek that they rarely cause long-term speech issues.

Play Sports

Unlike with traditional braces, Invisalign doesn’t mean you have to stop participating in your favourite activities or constantly wear special mouthguards. Low-impact exercise such as swimming, running and going to the gym won’t be impacted in the slightest by your Invisalign retainers. As usual, however, for high-impact or rougher sports like rugby, we’d always recommend wearing a mouthguard to play. One of the many benefits to Invisalign is that it is easily removable; so, you can remove your aligners to play in case of any accidents and to avoid potential breakage.

Smile Freely

Due to the discreet appearance of Invisalign, many of our patients just aren’t self-conscious when smiling with their retainers in! It’s easy to overthink the way your smile may look with highly visible braces in, but Invisalign avoids this issue altogether.

Drink Through a Straw

With Invisalign, it is usually recommended that you remove your retainers when drinking anything other than water. You can, however, to minimise the contact of the fluid with the teeth and retainers, opt to drink using a straw instead. This means you won’t have to fuss with removing your retainers each time you go to take a sip. You can also rinse out your mouth with water after you’ve had a drink, to ensure no residue is left near the teeth.

Wear Them Comfortably

One of the reasons Invisalign is so popular is how comfortable the aligners quickly become. In comparison with traditional braces or even other forms of orthodontic treatment, Invisalign feels (and looks) more natural!

Play a Musical Instrument

With traditional braces, playing wind or brass instruments often becomes difficult due to the way the metal brackets get in the way. Closing your lips around the mouthpiece can become uncomfortable, meaning many people have to give up their hobbies for a while. With Invisalign, however, there are no metal brackets to get in the way – as the retainers sit almost flush with your teeth. You may need to adjust your technique slightly, though Invisalign will make it much easier to play your favourite instruments in comparison with traditional braces.

Clean Your Aligners

It is easy to clean your Invisalign retainers due to how simple it is to remove them. Your dentist may provide more specific tips, but you should rinse your retainers on removal under lukewarm water. You can then use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleaning solution to clean your aligners.

Maintain Full Oral Hygiene

It’s easy to maintain your oral hygiene with Invisalign, as you can remove them completely before brushing and flossing.

Things You Should Avoid

Although Invisalign offers a much easier experience than traditional braces can, there are still things you should avoid doing when your retainers are in. Some of these may differ from what you can do or should avoid with traditional metal braces in, though it’s up to you to decide whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (we think they do)!

Eating

You should always remember to remove your Invisalign retainers when eating or drinking anything that isn’t water. As we mentioned above, you could use a straw to drink through and then rinse with water if you’d like to keep the retainers in for drinks.

Staining

Your aligners are pressed against your teeth for prolonged periods of time, so you should avoid anything that may stain the aligners themselves – as well as anything that may enter the retainers and sit against your teeth. Many dental surgeries do offer professional teeth whitening following your Invisalign treatment to help combat any staining – we do this at Ringway Dental.

Chewing Gum

It is recommended that you avoid chewing gum whilst wearing your retainers, simply due to the fact the gum can stick to and dislodge them whilst wearing.

Mistreating Your Aligners

It’s important to treat your Invisalign retainers with the care they need. They are tough, but they’re not unbreakable – and handling them gently is always a good idea. If you do break your aligners, your dentist should be able to have them repaired, though this may take some time. Do bear in mind that any length of time without treatment can hinder the effectiveness of your aligners, too.

Warping

You can easily avoid warping your retainers by using only lukewarm, not hot or boiling, water to clean and soak.

Smoking

Smoking is highly advised against when you are undergoing Invisalign treatment – just like it is with wearing traditional metal braces.

Ignoring Instructions

Do follow the instructions and aftercare tips you are given by your dentist both during and following Invisalign treatment. We give guidance for a reason, and it’s to help you maximise the success of your Invisalign journey!

Using Abrasive Cleaners

Using abrasive toothpastes or cleaners on your Invisalign retainers can actually damage them due to the potential for creating tiny scratches.

Invisalign Treatment with Ringway Dental

Straightening your teeth with Invisalign means enjoying a discreet, fuss-free way to manage your own smile. If you’re looking for a subtle way to transform your teeth, our team at Ringway Dental can help. Call our team today on 0161 437 2029, or get in touch with us online with any questions you may have.

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