If you’ve decided to opt for clear braces to help straighten your teeth, read below for tips on how to keep them clean and clear – and how to make sure they work well to give you a gorgeous smile.
First, a bit about what clear braces are:
These braces are different than the traditional metal braces While they are called “clear braces,” they’re actually made of clear plastic or even porcelain, making them less noticeable.
They are very different from traditional braces in that they move your teeth by using a series of clear plastic aligner trays. You place a tray in your mouth to straighten teeth slightly. You use one aligner tray for two weeks, then swap it out for another tray for two weeks, and so on until your teeth are straight.
The trays are made from a mold of your teeth. The first tray is one that is a tiny change from your teeth’s current alignment. The last tray is how you and your dentist/orthodontist want your teeth to look once the treatment is complete. Most clear braces treatments take about a year.
Getting clear braces involves a few steps. The first is a consultation with your dentist to see if you’re a good candidate. The dentist will take digital x-rays of your teeth as well as photos and impressions. The aligner trays are made specifically for your mouth.
Once your teeth have straightened, you’ll wear a retainer for a few months in order to ensure your teeth stay straight.
Invisalign is a brand of clear braces.
Tips for best results:
· You shouldn’t drink hot beverages because the heat can warp the trays so that they no longer fit over your teeth as they should.
· You also should drink only water while the trays are in your mouth. Remove the trays if you drink soda, tea, coffee, orange juice, etc. because they could either a) stain your teeth and/or b) enhance tooth erosion because the acids and sugars in the sweet colas or juices can get between your aligners and your teeth and, if allowed to stay there for a few hours between brushing, could erode the teeth/cause stains.
Never drink orange juice while wearing clear braces. The acid in the juice could erode your tooth enamel.
· You also shouldn’t smoke while wearing the aligners. Nicotine can stain your teeth.
· You should remove the trays to eat.
· To keep your trays in great shape, clean them by rinsing them at least once a day to remove bacteria and plaque that may develop on them.
Your dentist/orthodontist will give you instructions on how to best wear and care for your clear braces. Follow his instructions as closely as possible for best results.
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