So you have finally decided to give clear aligners a shot as per your orthodontist’s advice. Now, as you wait for your aligners to arrive, you must be already wondering how your daily life will change once you start wearing them. Although clear aligners are mostly known for making minimal changes to your lifestyle, some things still need to be taken care of. Read on to find out more:

Hygiene and cleaning 

Maintaining proper oral hygiene like regular brushing and flossing would keep bacteria formation in check. Ideally, brush/floss your teeth in the morning, at night, and after every meal. You will have to carry a small dental kit (including toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) along with you every time you step out of the house. Cleaning your clear aligners every time you take them out is another key aspect to avoid bacteria formation in the trays. You can clean them with a soft-bristled brush and wash them with lukewarm water or a cleanser as prescribed by your orthodontist.

Food habits

You don’t have to change your food choices or watch what you eat while wearing clear aligners. However, you will have to remember to remove your aligners before every meal. In addition, you may have to make some adjustments to your eating habits to avoid taking the aligners out often — like having larger meals over multiple snacking. As for drinks, while it is safe to consume water with your clear aligners on, avoid colored or sugary beverages like tea, coffee or aerated drinks. These tend to stain the aligners and also lead to plaque formation.

Keep wearing them

Clear aligners are meant to be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day for maximum benefits. Anything less than this could lead to lesser efficiency and longer treatment time. Take out the aligners only while brushing/flossing or eating, and keep wearing them throughout the rest of the day. Also, to avoid losing your aligners, you can use an aligner case.

Talking while wearing clear aligners

Some people may develop a slight lisp while initially wearing clear aligners for the first time. Having a foreign body in your mouth throughout the day might take you some time to get used to it. However, the discomfort would be temporary, and soon you would feel at ease. As a first-timer, the concept of wearing clear aligners throughout the day might feel a little uncomfortable. But once you start wearing them and see the benefits, the adjustments would barely be an issue. A little discipline in your daily lifestyle will help you breeze through your smile journey with clear aligners.