When it comes to your smile, most people want theirs to be white and straight. Many of our patients in Merrimack, NH have used Invisalign® to straighten their crooked, crowded, misaligned, or overlapping teeth, and improve their oral health. At Something To Smile About, Dr. Kevin Boulard uses clear teeth aligners to help patients slowly and continuously realign their teeth successfully. This teeth straightening treatment is for patients who don’t want to go through a long and uncomfortable process with traditional metal braces. To ensure that your teeth look and feel their best, we will teach you oral hygiene tips on how to keep your Invisalign trays clean. We also will discuss a recommended diet to use during treatment.

How does Invisalign work?

At Something To Smile About, Dr. Boulard uses Invisalign to fix cosmetic concerns that his patients have with their smiles. Our Invisalign dentist will map out a custom treatment plan for you at our office. He uses digital impressions of the upper and lower arches to send to the lab to make your clear teeth aligners. This ensures that they fit precisely and comfortably. When your aligners are ready, you will revisit our Merrimack, NH office and learn how to use and care for them. Follow-up visits allow us to track your progress. The length of time needed to use Invisalign trays will depend on your existing teeth positioning. On average, our patients have Invisalign treatment for six to 18 months.

What foods should I avoid during Invisalign treatment?

One of the benefits of using Invisalign is the ability to eat a more varied diet. Unlike traditional metal braces that restrict a lot of foods, Invisalign gives patients the chance to enjoy more things.

Some foods that you should not eat during Invisalign treatment include:

• Hard food or candy: Raw fruits or vegetables, and hard candy can damage your aligners.

• Sticky food or candy: Refrain from chewing gum during Invisalign treatment. Also, sticky foods, such as caramel, can pull at the aligners, causing them to break.

• Acidic beverages: Coffee, tea, or wine can stain your aligners. These drinks also leave a tint on your aligners, which makes your teeth look discolored. High temperatures can also cause your aligners to change shape. Dr. Boulard suggests limiting soda consumption too since it is acidic and can break down tooth enamel.

How often to clean Invisalign trays

You should clean your Invisalign trays every time you brush your teeth, so not necessarily every time that you eat. We recommend you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Soak your trays with cleaning crystals and warm water for at least 20 minutes. To remove any stains, brush them gently. Always make sure that they are fully dry before you put them back in your mouth. Dr. Boulard doesn’t recommend using toothpaste as it can be abrasive and can scratch your aligners. Also, never use mouthwash during Invisalign treatment as it contains harsh ingredients that can damage them. Cleaning Invisalign trays often is important when you want your treatment to be as successful as possible. It also helps you to maintain your oral health best.

Schedule a consultation to learn about Invisalign today

If your smile is making you feel self-conscious and you would like to correct it, you should consider Invisalign treatment. At Something To Smile About, Dr. Kevin Boulard helps patients straighten their teeth in an undetectable way in Merrimack, NH. To learn if you’re a candidate for Invisalign, schedule a consultation today.