For those wearing braces or a retainer, it’s important to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day, preferably at night. A fluoride rinse can also help prevent cavities. If you have a retainer and take it out to eat, make sure to keep it somewhere safe so it doesn’t get lost or broken. It’s important to practice good dental hygiene with your retainer too; brush it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste before or after you brush your teeth. Never put your retainer in the dishwasher or in boiling water, as this will cause it to lose its shape. It’s also important to avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar and especially stay away from sugary chewy foods like caramel and gummy bears, and hard foods such as hard candy, nuts and ice cubes. Those wearing braces are also advised to avoid foods that can get stuck in the apparatus such as corn on the cob and soft bagels.

The amount of time you wear braces depends on the patient and the complexity of the treatment. Different smiles move into place at different paces. The ballpark number is anywhere between six to 30 months, with the average being around 22 months.

You may experience a small amount of discomfort for a couple of days after getting your braces while your cheeks, mouth, teeth and gums get used to their new neighbour. You may also experience a minor amount of soreness or discomfort from your teeth being shifted into place.

You should take your aligners off when eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. It’s also a good idea to take them out when playing sports. You may also take them out for special occasions such as a wedding or job interview but just remember, you need to wear them 20 to 22 hours a day to get the best results.

Unlike traditional braces and the long list of foods you can’t enjoy, with Invisalign you can enjoy whatever you want. Simply take your aligners out when eating, keep them in a safe place, brush afterward and pop them back in.

Invisalign works by applying a gentle but constant force to move your teeth into position. Some people feel a temporary discomfort from this movement for the first few days after popping in a new set of aligners. If you feel like the pain you’re experiencing is too much, contact us for an examination.

Nice try but no. To optimize your Invisalign treatment you must wear them 20 to 22 hours a day to get the results you want.

You may have a little trouble for the first couple of days while your tongue gets used to having your aligners in your mouth. Some people experience a slight lisp. Generally, your speech should return to normal quickly.