A straighter smile in record time and without the need for metal brackets and wires? It might sound too good to be true but really, it’s Invisalign. This revolutionary system for straightening crooked, uneven, gapped, and crowded teeth consists of a series of removable aligner trays which gradually move your teeth into their correct position. Patients love Invisalign because they can remove the aligners to eat and care for their teeth, something you just can’t do with traditional orthodontics. If you’re thinking about talking to your dentist about Invisalign, learn more about what you can and can’t do during your treatment period.

Do This: Brush and Floss Normally

You can remove your Invisalign trays to care for your teeth as you would normally. This means brushing your teeth after you eat a meal or snack or at least two times every day. In addition, you should floss once per day, preferably before bed.

Don’t Do This: Skip a Day Wearing Your Aligner

You might think it’s no big deal if you forget to put your aligner on before bed or before you leave for work in the morning. Unfortunately, not sticking to your treatment plan (which, in most cases, means wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours a day) can end up increasing your overall treatment time.

Do This: Enjoy a Normal Diet

There’s a long list of foods you can’t eat while you’re wearing traditional braces, including everything from gum and chewy candies to popcorn and raw fruits. Because you can remove your Invisalign trays before eating, the sky’s the limit when it comes to mealtime (although we do suggest eating a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and lowfat dairy.

Don’t Do This: Drink Anything but Water Between Meals

The liquids you drink between meals will pool inside your aligner trays. If all you’re drinking is water, then there’s no problem. But if you drink something darkly colored, like coffee or tea, your teeth will start to look discolored. Furthermore, if you drink sweetened beverages, you’ll be at a higher risk for tooth decay.

ABOUT YOUR FORT WORTH, TX DENTIST:

With over 25 years of professional experience, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team proudly provide exceptional preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to patients and their families across Dallas/Ft. Worth, including North Richland Hills, Denton, the Mid-cities, Southlake, and all surrounding communities. We also have extensive experience helping patients find relief from painful TMJ disorders (various forms of jaw dysfunction). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Huffstutler, contact his Fort Worth, TX office today by calling 817-918-3038.