Common Invisalign Mistakes to Avoid for the Best Results

For the best results, it’s essential to follow your dentist’s advice. With traditional fixed braces, there is less choice involved during the treatment plan, so patient compliance is less of an issue. But with Invisalign, it’s essential that you are following the treatment plan carefully and following instructions from your dentist.

The consequences of not following your treatment plan can vary. First, the treatment can become more uncomfortable and you could suffer dental damage if you do not follow the instructions carefully. There is also a risk that your treatment plan could take longer or be ineffective if you make some of these common mistakes.

To help you to better understand what is expected of you – and to help you to decide if this is the right treatment plan for you – we have compiled this list of common mistakes. By avoiding these mistakes, you can enjoy a streamlined treatment plan that is fast, effective and prioritises your oral health.

Read on to learn the top 5 mistakes we see patients making, and why avoiding these will help to improve your Invisalign treatment.

Mistake #1 – Forgetting to wear your aligners

Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make when starting the Invisalign treatment plan is to simply not wear your aligners. Once you leave the dental practice with your case of aligners, you are solely in charge of following the plan. This means you need to be diligent in your approach.

There are many reasons that patients will give for failing to wear their aligners. First, you might find them uncomfortable and take them out to find relief. You might also forget to put them back in after removing them to eat, drink or brush your teeth. You might lose an aligner, or leave it at home.

Whatever your reason for not wearing your aligners, this could be a huge mistake. The only way to achieve straighter teeth and to keep your treatment plan on track is to wear your aligners for at least 20 hours per day. If you are struggling to follow the treatment plan, ask your dentist about some helpful tips that could help to keep you on track.

Mistake #2 – Drinking hot drinks while wearing Invisalign

Once you get used to the treatment, you might even forget that you are wearing aligners. This can lead to issues if you drink hot drinks while wearing your aligners. Your aligners are made of a special thermoplastic material, which means they are shaped by heat. This means that heat can also make them lose their shape. Drinking hot drinks while wearing your aligners will make them ineffective and could lead them to become very uncomfortable.

If you accidentally have a hot drink while wearing an aligner, take it out and return to the last aligner in your case. Contact your dentist to find out what you should do next. You may have to keep wearing the previous aligner until you can arrange a replacement, or you might be close enough to the next stage that you can safely move to the next aligner in the case.

Mistake #3 – Neglecting your oral health

Invisalign is often sold as an easier treatment plan, which could lead to complacency. It is essential that you take good care of your teeth throughout the treatment, as you will be at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease if you don’t.

Forgetting to clean your teeth or your aligners will expose your teeth to high levels of bacteria, which can lead to plaque buildup. Bacteria buildup on your aligners can also lead to very unpleasant smells, so it should be avoided as much as possible.

You will need to get into a healthy routine that includes brushing your teeth twice a day. You will also need to clean your aligners at the same time. You can make life easier by using aligner cleaning tablets and leaving them to soak while you brush your teeth. You should also rinse your aligners every time you take them out, as this will help to prevent bacteria buildup.

Mistake #4 – Not wearing a retainer

After you have completed your treatment plan, you will be keen to enjoy your smile without having to wear your aligners anymore. Just as wearing your aligners is an adjustment, you’ll also go through an adjustment at the end of treatment.

To help keep your teeth in the correct alignment, it is essential that you continue to wear a retainer at night time. This will help to maintain the results and avoid the need to start treatment again. If your teeth are not reminded to stay in the correct alignment, they will naturally move into the easiest alignment possible, and this will typically be the position they were in before treatment. You can prevent this by wearing a retainer at night time.

Mistake #5 – Using the wrong cleaning products

Patients often go too far in their attempts to care for their aligners and this can result in issues with discolouration and bacteria build up. Attempting to brush your aligners with abrasive products will lead to small scratches on the surface of the plastic. This can make your aligners appear cloudy and stained. It also creates the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to bad smells.

The best way to care for your aligners would be to use a specialist cleaning tablet and allowing them to soak at least once a day. Using mouthwash while wearing your aligners could also lead to discolouration.

Ready to start treatment?

If you’re curious about how Invisalign could transform your smile, get in touch to book your consultation today. Our team will guide you through the process so you can feel confident that you’re making the right choice for your oral health.