You’re excited to start your Invisalign journey, and who wouldn’t be? They’re a fantastic and comfortable alternative to metal braces. In order to straighten your teeth effectively, though, Invisalign aligners have to be worn for 22 hours every day. That can be an intimidating number when you do the math!
If you’re wondering how you can make this schedule more doable, keep reading. That’s exactly what these tips are for.
Why Do I Have to Wear Invisalign for 22 Hours?
This is a rather specific timeline. You can be rest assured that it’s been meticulously calculated to deliver the best treatment results, though. You see, Invisalign clear aligners straighten teeth by gradually nudging them into place with increasing amounts of pressure. Teeth are generally pretty resilient and resistant to change, so the process takes – well, time.
The short of it is that if you don’t wear your aligners for long enough, your teeth will stop moving or even slide back into their original positions. “Long enough” happens to be 22 hours per day.
Practice Makes Permanent
Why do you practice? To drill something into your head until it becomes second nature, right? This concept can apply to your Invisalign wear times, too! Try to remove your aligners the same way every day. Budgeting 15 minutes for breakfast, 30 minutes for lunch, and 60 minutes for dinner is a good place to start and gives you an extra 15 minutes for snacks or unexpected occurrences. Feel free to adjust the math however you like, though.
Make Technology Work for You
Time-tracking apps can be especially helpful if you have a sporadic schedule. Tray Minder calculates how long your aligners have been out of your mouth, for example. Other common tools like stopwatches, basic timers, or calendar reminders can also keep you on track. There’s plenty of options to experiment with, so don’t be afraid to take a few minutes to scroll through the app store.
Use Time Efficiently
The more you can multitask or streamline your routines, the easier it will be to wear your Invisalign trays for 22 hours. To make cleaning easier and quicker, for instance, you could pick up some Invisalign cleaning crystals and soak your aligners while you eat. Another time-cutting measure could be to snack smarter, not longer! Lean proteins and fiber-rich goodies will help you feel fuller than, say, a cup of chocolate chips.
Figuring out how you can wear your Invisalign aligners for 22 hours per day might feel like rocket science, but when you get down to it, it’s simply about being mindful of the clock. If you find yourself struggling with the task, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for personalized advice. They’ll consider your habits and preferences and can make suggestions that work for you.
About the Dentist
Dr. Russell Teasdale has an impressive list of credentials and takes part in a number of prestigious organizations, including the Academy of Minimally Invasive Dentistry. He strives to keep up with the latest dental technologies, which is why he was the first general dentist in Oregon to achieve Elite Provider status with Invisalign. Basically, you can trust his advice and care when it comes to Invisalign treatment! To contact Dr. Teasdale’s office, call 503-974-3829.