Starting clear aligner treatment comes with a few changes to your everyday routine, but it usually doesn’t take long to get into the swing of things. From remembering your aligners when you leave the house to keeping them clean, a few simple habits can make living with clear aligners easier.
Whether you’ve just started treatment or you’re looking for ways to improve your routine, here are five practical clear aligner tips from the Urban Smile team.
1. Keep Your Clear Aligners Clean
Your aligners spend a lot of time in your mouth, so keeping them clean is an important part of looking after both your aligners and your oral health.
Clean your aligners regularly using the method recommended by your orthodontic team. Avoid using hot water, as heat may affect the aligner material.
It’s also important to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Before putting your aligners back in after eating, make sure your teeth are clean so food and plaque aren’t trapped underneath them.
Tip: Build aligner cleaning into your morning or evening routine so it becomes another everyday habit rather than something you have to remember.
2. Always Carry an Aligner Case
Taking your aligners out for lunch, dinner or your morning coffee? Get into the habit of putting them straight into their case.
Wrapping clear aligners in a tissue or napkin might seem convenient, but it also makes them much easier to accidentally throw away or leave behind.
Keep your aligner case somewhere easy to reach, such as your handbag, backpack or work bag. If you’re regularly on the go, putting together a small clear aligner kit with your case, toothbrush, toothpaste and floss can also make looking after your aligners away from home easier.
3. Wear Your Aligners as Recommended
Clear aligners are designed to be worn according to the schedule provided by your Specialist Orthodontist. Consistent wear helps your teeth follow your planned orthodontic movements.
It can take a little time to get used to removing your aligners for meals and remembering to put them back in afterwards. Setting reminders on your phone or linking aligner wear to everyday habits, such as brushing your teeth after breakfast, can help.
If you forget to wear your aligners or haven’t worn them for the recommended amount of time, don’t try to adjust your treatment schedule yourself. Contact the Urban Smile team or check in through Dental Monitoring so we can advise you on what to do next.
4. Give Yourself Time to Adjust to Speaking With Aligners
You may notice that speaking feels or sounds slightly different when you first start wearing clear aligners. Your tongue needs some time to adjust to having something new in your mouth.
Try talking, reading aloud or even singing to give yourself plenty of practice speaking while wearing your aligners. Any changes to your speech may become less noticeable as you become accustomed to wearing them.
For more tips, read our guide to speaking with clear aligners and managing a lisp.
If you have ongoing concerns about your speech or how your aligners are fitting, speak with the Urban Smile team.
5. Use Dental Monitoring to Stay Connected
You don’t have to wait until your next in-studio appointment if you have a question about your treatment.
At Urban Smile, Dental Monitoring allows you to complete regular scans of your teeth from home using your smartphone. These scans help our clinical team monitor your treatment between appointments and provide guidance when needed.
If something doesn’t feel right, your aligner isn’t fitting as expected or you’re unsure whether you should move to your next set, reach out rather than trying to make changes to your treatment yourself.
Learn how to do a Dental Monitoring scan in our step-by-step guide.
Small Habits Can Make Clear Aligner Treatment Easier
Clear aligner treatment becomes part of your everyday routine, and a little preparation can go a long way. Keep your aligners clean, carry your case, follow your recommended wear schedule and ask your orthodontic team whenever you’re unsure about something.
Considering clear aligner treatment? Book a free consultation at Urban Smile to have your teeth and bite assessed and find out whether clear aligners may be suitable for you.
Consultation required to assess suitability. Our orthodontists will advise if this treatment is right for you.