Embarking on a journey with clear aligners like Candid is an exciting step toward a straighter smile. While the aligners do most of the work, your role in daily oral hygiene is crucial for success. Proper at-home teeth care with aligners ensures a smooth treatment and keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Here’s a simple guide to mastering your daily routine.
Daily Oral Hygiene with Aligners
With clear aligners, you must maintain excellent oral hygiene. This is because bacteria can get trapped between the aligners and your teeth, leading to cavities or gum problems.
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Brush and Floss After Every Meal: Always brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Trapped food particles can cause stains and decay.
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Brush Your Aligners: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste or mild soap to clean your aligners. This helps remove plaque and prevents them from becoming cloudy.
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Rinse Your Mouth: Always rinse your mouth with water before putting your aligners back in to wash away any leftover food debris.
Caring for Your Aligners
Your aligners are a vital part of your treatment. Taking good care of them is just as important as caring for your teeth.
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Rinse Them with Cold Water: When you remove your aligners, rinse them immediately with cold water. Hot water can damage the plastic and change their shape.
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Use a Case: Always store your aligners in their case when you’re not wearing them. This prevents them from being lost or damaged.
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Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Don’t use denture cleaners, mouthwash, or hot water to clean your aligners, as these can be too abrasive and cause damage.
Diet and Aligner Use
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Take Aligners Out to Eat and Drink: You should always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. That’s because food and sugary drinks can get stuck and cause damage to your teeth.
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Avoid Staining Beverages: Coffee, tea, and soda can stain your teeth and your aligners. It’s best to enjoy these drinks without your aligners and brush your teeth afterward.
At Macabi Dental Associates in Roslyn, NY, we understand that starting a new dental journey can be challenging. Our team, led by Dr. Iris Zuckerman, is here to support you with expert advice and care every step of the way. Whether you are using Candid or considering other orthodontic treatments, our goal is to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.
Want to learn more about at-home teeth care? Schedule a consultation with us today and let us help you find the perfect solution for your smile.
