Invisalign is a great way to improve your smile, but it can be a challenge to wear them for the recommended 22 hours per day. In this comprehensive guide, we will give you tips on how to make wearing Invisalign a breeze!
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear, plastic aligners to straighten teeth. Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces, as they are nearly invisible and can be removed for eating and brushing teeth.
How do I wear Invisalign?
Wearing Invisalign is simple – you just need to put them on and go! Invisalign should be worn for 22 hours per day, with a break of two hours allowed for eating and brushing teeth.
Why you should wear Invisalign 22 hours a day?
Wearing Invisalign for the recommended 22 hours per day is important to ensure that your teeth are properly straightened. Wearing Invisalign for less than the recommended amount of time can result in crooked teeth and a poor final outcome. Wearing Invisalign for the recommended 22 hours per day is important for achieving optimal results. It also reduces Invisalign pain when switching to a new aligner.
What makes wearing Invisalign difficult?
There are a few things that make wearing Invisalign difficult: having to take them in and out every time you eat or drink, the constant fear of losing them, and the fact that they can be easy to forget about. But with a little bit of organization and some handy tips, you can wear your Invisalign for 22 hours a day with ease!
Wearing Invisalign – a comprehensive guide
So, you’ve just been fitted for your Invisalign and the dentist tells you that you need to wear them for 22 hours a day. This may seem daunting at first, but with a few tips, it can be easy to make sure you’re wearing them as often as possible.
How to maximize the time of wearing Invisalign?
Here are my top tips for how to maximize the time of wearing Invisalign:
Preparation
- Plan your meals ahead. If you know there are going to be times when you won’t be able to wear your Invisalign (like during mealtimes), plan accordingly. I personally eat three times a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. I make sure I prepare my food and drinks, before removing my Invisalign!
- When you are eating, make sure you keep track of time. I suggest you set a timer after 20 minutes after removing your Invisalign braces. This helps you to keep track during eating. This will help you get into a routine and make sure you don’t forget!
- Reserve 30 minutes for breakfast. Whether you whip up some pancakes or eat some yogurt with muesli, breakfast should not take too long. Especially if skip breakfast (if you’re a fan of intermittent fasting).
- Reserve 30 minutes for lunch. Preparing a lunch will generally take a bit longer than breakfast, but if you aim to eat, brush your teeth and putting back your Invisalign in under than 30 minutes you should be fine.
- Reserve 1 hour for dinner. Generally, dinners is the largest meal of the day. That’s why I suggest you take some more time for it than breakfast or dinner. Of course, if you’d like you can reduce the dinner time and squeeze in a late night snack!
- Rinse your aligners after each meal. Make sure you have plenty of water on hand so you can rinse your aligners after each meal. This will help reduce plaque build-up and keep your smile healthy.
Eating
- Take your Invisalign out on time! If you’re going to be eating something messy, like ribs or spaghetti, take your Invisalign out beforehand. You don’t want them getting covered in BBQ sauce or ketchup!
- Brush your teeth fast and quickly. Brushing your teeth for two minutes will help to remove any plaque or food particles that may be stuck in your teeth
- Floss after every meal. Flossing is key to keeping your teeth healthy and plaque-free. Make sure you floss once a day, using toothpicks, dental floss or an interdental brush.
Dental hygiene
- Also wear your Invisalign during sports. Another thing to keep in mind is that Invisalign should be worn during sports or other physical activities. This may seem scary at first, but it actually feels nice that you have an extra layer of protection over your teeth!
- Make sure you have enough aligners left! Make sure you have enough Invisalign aligners to last the next few weeks of the treatment. You will need one set for each week of treatment. If you run out, contact your orthodontist/dentist immediately.
Conclusion – How to Wear Invisalign for 22 Hours a Day
By following these tips, you can make sure that you’re wearing your Invisalign as often as possible and achieve the best results possible. If you have any questions or concerns about wearing Invisalign, be sure to ask your dentist for advice. They’ll be able to help you troubleshoot any problems and ensure that you’re getting the most out of your orthodontic treatment.
Do you have problems wearing Invisalign for the advised amount of 22 hours? Let us know what problems you stumble upon!
For myself only two hrs. a day to eat, clean and put them back on is a struggle I wish it was more like 3 or 4 or 20 /21 hrs. a day I really think an hour for breakfast, lunch and dinner is not asking much. If I knew how limited this would be I don’t know if I’d choose Invisalign.
Hi Marlene. Yes, I agree. It can be quite a struggle to keep them in for a total of 22 hours. It really requires discipline and a certain state of mind. It does progress over time as habits gradually evolve. Keep up the good work!