Invisalign has empowered millions of people to comfortably and discreetly straighten their teeth without the conspicuous metal parts and irksome dietary requirements that come with traditional braces. While Invisalign clear aligners can be easily removed for meals, it’s of great importance to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly before wearing them again. Here’s a quick overview of the importance of flossing with Invisalign and some tips for effectively cleaning between your teeth.
Why Do I Need to Floss So Much During Invisalign Treatment?
It’s important to brush and floss your teeth and carefully rinse off your aligners each time before you wear these clear orthodontic appliances. Invisalign clear aligners are designed to fit snugly upon the teeth to provide the pressure necessary to gradually shift them into healthier and more visually pleasing positions. If plaque and food debris linger on your teeth when you put your aligners back in, this nasty stuff will be protected from your mouth’s natural cleaning process, which can lead to dental stains as well as tooth decay that can delay your treatment.
How Should I Floss with Invisalign?
One of the major advantages of Invisalign is that, since the clear aligners it uses are removable, you can practice oral hygiene normally without worrying about cleaning around your orthodontic appliance. Before you wear your clear aligners, be sure to floss your teeth according to the following steps:
- Cut a suitable length of floss from the package.
- Hold a section of about one or two inches tightly between your hands.
- Gently slide the floss between two teeth.
- Carefully work the floss from side to side and up and down against either tooth to remove plaque and food debris.
- Take special care to be gentle with the gum tissue between the teeth, as overflossing can lead to gum recession.
- Carefully slide the floss from between the two teeth.
- Carry out this process for each pair of teeth in your mouth until your whole smile has been cleaned.
Proper oral hygiene is a crucial part of the Invisalign process. If you carefully comply with your dentist’s instructions, you can keep your treatment on schedule and achieve remarkable results.
About the Author
Dr. Durga Buchupally earned her dental degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and stays up to date with the latest developments in her field by regularly completing continuing education coursework. She is proud to hold memberships with the Texas Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Her office in Bedford, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign services. To learn more about caring for your teeth with Invisalign, contact her office online or dial (817) 464-8655.