Are you new to wearing SureSmile® aligners? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Our dentist in Holly, Michigan, offers clear aligners to help patients achieve their dream smile. But it’s equally important that you practice good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment so you don’t develop cavities, gum disease, and other health issues.
Knowing how to care for your aligners will also help you save money in the long run. It costs money to replace broken or lost aligners. The better you care for your aligners, the longer they’ll last and help you reach the finish line of your treatment plan.
Here’s what we recommend during SureSmile aligner treatment.
You can stain your clear aligners if you don’t brush your teeth after every meal. That’s why we recommend carrying a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste with you. Doing this will allow you to maintain a clean, healthy smile while you’re away from home.
One of the advantages of clear aligners is that you’re able to remove them when brushing and flossing your teeth. This is much more convenient than trying to thread floss underneath a metal archwire and around each individual bracket.
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It’s vital that you continue flossing during orthodontic treatment so you can remove plaque and food particles between teeth. If left untreated, plaque will harden into tartar and increase your risk of cavities and other oral health issues.
Our goal is to help improve both the aesthetics and health of your smile. As such, we highly recommend that you continue seeing Dr. Bandy for teeth cleanings and other preventive care. During your teeth cleaning appointment, we’re able to remove plaque and tartar as well as catch oral health problems early while they’re most treatable.
Always place your in their case if you’re not wearing them. Otherwise, you risk damaging them or throwing them away by accident. For example, it’s not uncommon for people to tuck their aligners inside a napkin and then throw them into the trash without thinking.
We also don’t recommend cramming your SureSmile aligners in your purse or pocket. This can bend the aligners out of shape so they don’t fit around your teeth.
work by exerting constant but gentle pressure on your teeth to guide them into their optimal positions. For this reason, it’s important that you wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day. This will help you stay on track with your treatment plan so you can start smiling with confidence as soon as possible.
Dr. David Bandy is an experienced dentist in Holly, Michigan. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you maintain a healthy smile for life. To schedule an appointment, please call Bandy Dental at (248) 634-9251. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
