How to Care for Your Teeth After Invisalign

Ever since its introduction to the world of dentistry, Invisalign has been positioned as a more modern alternative to the traditional brace – offering patients a way to unlock a straighter smile without the invasion of fixed metal brackets across their teeth.

For patients who go down the Invisalign route, treatment is largely self-managed. While a dental practitioner ensures you are using the right aligner at each stage of the journey, it is up to you to optimise Invisalign treatment by wearing those aligners consistently. And that reliance on the patient doesn’t end when the treatment concludes – in fact, if you want to prolong the impact of your results, the end of treatment is really just the start.

Invisalign presents an accessible means of aligning the teeth and straightening the smile – with results lasting decades for those who take aftercare seriously.

Because every Invisalign journey is different, the length of time it will take to achieve your ideal results differs between clients. Some find that the process takes a few months, while others are looking at a year or more.

What never changes, however, is the recommended approach to aftercare.

The first thing your dentist will give you following completion of Invisalign treatment is a long-term retainer. This should be worn at night and is designed to stop the teeth from moving back into their original position, pre-treatment.

Check ups with your regular dentist are another important part of the Invisalign journey, both during and after treatment. Good oral health and hygiene are integral to achieving and maintaining a smile that you can be proud of, with a combination of dental check-ups and visits to the hygienist, keeping your smile both straight and bright.

That leads us to another aspect of Invisalign, which covers complementary treatments. As part of each Invisalign package, we are pleased to offer patients a free whitening service to really enhance their results. To prolong the results of this whitening treatment, alongside Invisalign, limit sugar and caffeine, cut smoking from your lifestyle, and choose healthy options where possible.

Don’t assume that just because Invisalign has straightened and brightened your teeth, the results will last on their own. Like any dental treatment, a thorough approach to aftercare is critical.

With all that said, the most important thing to recognise is the role of self-management in ensuring a successful Invisalign outcome. This is a treatment that requires you, the patient, to be proactive and to take each step seriously.

You also need to have good underlying oral health and be able to either visit your Invisalign dentist regularly or use the Invisalign app to monitor your results and upload progress checks for your dentist to assess.

For more information on Invisalign, the packages available, and the Bluebell Dentistry & Aesthetics Invisalign journey for patients, get in touch with us.