How Our Houston Pediatric Patients Can Get the Most Out of Their Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign Clear Aligners are a popular alternative to metal dental braces for mild patient cases. However, because clear aligners are made of plastic, which is not as forceful as metal, our pediatric patients need to take special care to ensure they get the most out of their Invisalign orthodontic treatment. Here’s how our Houston pediatric dentist recommends they do so.

Remove Invisalign Clear Aligners at Mealtimes

One of the greatest perks about Invisalign is that the aligner trays are removable, unlike metal braces which are glued to the teeth. They are not meant to be chewed with, so it is imperative that they are removed when it’s time to eat a meal or a snack.

Our Houston pediatric dentists recommend that patients undergoing Invisalign treatment avoid crispy, crunchy, and chewy textures in their food. This is especially true when their teeth feel delicate and sensitive after receiving a set of clear aligners. We also insist on the avoidance of hot drinks when wearing clear aligners, as the heat may mess with the shape of the plastic.

Our Invisalign Patients Must Wear Their Clear Aligners as Directed by Our Houston Pediatric Dentists

We recommend that patients wear their Invisalign 20-22 hours a day, as this ensures their teeth are continuously guided to the correct alignment. Wearing them less than that amount of time means their teeth will not straighten out properly.

Responsibility plays an important role in determining whether Invisalign is the right treatment plan for patients with mild cases, as wearing them as directed requires the responsibility to never lose them and the discipline to not undermine the importance of wearing them as directed. If they are worn as directed and the teeth are moving well, then our patients may be able to get away with forgoing Invisalign on a special occasion, such as a school dance. 

Maintain Exceptional Dental Hygiene While Undergoing Invisalign Treatment

Since clear aligners are designed to fit perfectly over the teeth, they can hold in whatever is left behind after our patients eat. This means that Invisalign patients may be more prone to cavities. In order to mitigate this, we recommend they brush their teeth after all meals and snacks with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss every night before bed. It’s also a good idea to rinse their aligners each time they take them off and put them back on.

Our Houston Pediatric Dentists Want to Ensure Successful Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign patients may benefit from more frequent dental cleanings. Please book an appointment with us so we can deeply clean the teeth and ensure our pediatric patients are on the right path to straight, healthy teeth.