Many adults want straight, even teeth without the hassle of braces. This results in adults, mainly, turning to caps and veneers to get their teeth straight and even. Unfortunately, these options do not fix the underlying problems that go with teeth that are not quite perfect. While many people think they must get unsightly braces to correct their teeth, Invisalign has become a popular alternative because it cannot be seen and yet the teeth are corrected. However great Invisalign may be, there are a few simple dos and don’ts to the clever little trays.

1. Don’t eat with the aligners in place

Eating is possible with the aligners in place; however, it is not recommended. When people eat with their aligners in place, it is common for the aligners to become dirty and gross really quickly. In addition, a lot of a person’s taste sensation comes from the teeth feeling the consistency of the food. When people eat with their aligners in, they lose a lot of the “taste” of their food. 

2. Don’t drink with aligners in place

Drinking dark fluids will result in visible pockets of dark fluid forming in the space between teeth and aligners. In addition, the aligners will become dirty very quickly whenever anything is consumed while they are in place.

3. Clean the aligners consistently

Cleaning the aligners will prevent them from trapping anything against the surface of the teeth. While they do come out, it is still a good idea not to trap food against the teeth as it could result in tooth decay. 

4. Don’t chew gum, ever

Fragments of gum will get stuck inside the aligners. This then is awful to remove and the fragments themselves are easily visible, which defeats the purpose of aligning teeth invisibly.

If you would like to discuss Invisalign to correct the problems with your teeth, contact the Chicago cosmetic dentists of the office of Dr. Sumeet Bagai at 773-767-1554.