Tips for Your First Few Days Wearing Aligners
New to aligners? Let’s talk cleaning, eating and soothing discomfort.
The first few days with aligner trays? It’s a whole new experience for your mouth!
It can seem tricky starting out but, millions of people have been there, and have gorgeous smiles to show for it! Now you’re on your way to levelling up your smile, too!
Let’s turn you professional!
Common questions during the early days with aligners are easily answered:
- Will my toothcare routine take longer? Yes, but it’s worth the time.
- Can I keep my aligner trays in when I eat? No, take them out.
- Will my teeth hurt? The headline: maybe for a day or two.
- Will it be worth it? Yes – straighter teeth mean a healthier mouth.
How do I keep my aligner trays clean?
To get your teeth off to a flying start, let's go deeper ...
Brush ‘Em Gently
Use a soft toothbrush and clear, non-abrasive soap. Skip toothpaste — it can cause scratches!
Soak Once a Day
Pop your aligners in a soaking bath orthodontic soaking bath
or glass half-full of cool (never hot) water. Drop in a VITIS Effervescent Cleaning Tablet. Leave for 15 minutes, rinse under cold water, dry. Voila! An aligner as clean as day one!
Avoid Rookie Errors!
Don’t let your aligner get into hot water! It could warp it, and that means it won’t work as intended. Treat this investment like the VI’T’ it is!
When it comes to cleaning teeth and trays, it takes two to tango!
Your teeth and trays live hand in hand for 20 hours a day. It’s a time for extra toothcare. No slacking allowed!
Your teeth and aligner braces rely on each other to stay clean. Think of them as a tag team!
- Keep teeth clean by brushing three times a day. This will help aligners stay transparent, too. Don’t let your aligner’s cloak of invisibility dull!
- Keeping bacteria down means your breath stays fresh. Clean teeth with trays lead to fresh breath confidence.
- Their relationship’s a snug one so keep aligners clean for less chance of bacteria causing tooth cavities.
- Use orthodontic mouthwash between brushing to keep teeth topped up with fluoride.
- Rinse aligners as soon as you can when you take them out so that you’re not slotting dry, old bacteria back on to your teeth after you eat. No one wants that! It’ll also help keep your retainer transparent.
With all that attention to detail to your oral care, subscribing to an Aligner Brace Daily Care Kit makes sense. Mouthwash? Check. Toothpaste? Check. Monotip brush? Check. Cleaning tablets? You bet!
Can I keep my aligner trays in when I eat?
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No. Take the trays out to eat. It’s part of the beauty of choosing aligners. Rinse them in water as soon as you can to prevent residue.
Make sure your mouth is as clean as possible when you put your tray back in. Remember that you are brushing three times a day now and using mouthwash in between times. It’s best to avoid trapping food or bacteria between teeth and tray so travel with your Aligner Cleaning Kit!
Will my teeth hurt? It’s a sensitive question!
Aligners put pressure on teeth to move. This can cause discomfort when the tray is at its snuggest in the first few days of treatment.
Think:
- Ice cold water
- Soft foods – mashed potatoes, yoghurt, soup, doughy bread and a signature soft pasta dish should see you right!
- Aching teeth can always be eased with painkillers – follow packet instructions
You’ll soon forget you’re wearing aligners at all! But, do remember to pop them out for food and any drink other than water.
Now why didn’t I think of that? Because new problems need new solutions!
Starting out on your first trays might cause a day or two of discomfort. Brushing with a regular toothbrush may be uncomfortable. Don’t be tempted to miss a brushing session. Try a monotip brush. Its narrow head helps precision brushing and there’s less chance of knocking into other teeth that might be sore. Ah, that’s better.
Some solutions to those first few days with aligners might not come to mind immediately. Dry mouth? Xylimelts are moisturisers for your mouth! They’ll stimulate those saliva glands into getting appropriately busy for you. Now, that’s much more comfortable.
Let your brain adjust
For a little while, your brain is going to focus on the new sensations aligner trays bring. Your teeth are under new pressure, after all!
Before long, your brain adjusts, turns the volume down and then completely off to the regular sensation of aligners.
Think of your beautiful, straight teeth at the end of the treatment. It’ll all be worth it! Remember, no orthodontist wants you unsure of how to look after your teeth and trays so make sure you speak to them if you're still unsure.
Plenty people love that their aligners are taking their teeth to new places. Plus, they’re a commitment to your long-term oral health. Now, that is something to take pride in!
With Healthy Smile Pharmacy, you’ve got this!
