Our Locations
Huntington Office
At Shiney Smiles Orthodontics, our top priority is to provide you with a beautiful, straight, and shiny smile that you are proud of! Among the services we offer are hidden braces, metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners.
All the options are fixed pieces and cannot be removed except for the fixed clear aligners. Because you can remove them, they require a little more responsibility from the patient. But never fear! We at Shiney Smiles Orthodontics want you to succeed in your orthodontic journey and wish to remove any and all guesswork for you. To help, we have put together this list of our top 5 keys to success with your clear aligners.
1.) Don’t forget to wear your aligners.
We know it can be easy to remove the clear aligners and never put them back in again. It can be hard to establish a routine, especially if the adjustment period in a new tray is a little uncomfortable for you. However, the aligners can’t straighten your teeth if you don’t wear them!
It is important to wear them for the amount of time per day, as instructed by Dr. Sheinis. The aligners must be worn for about twenty to twenty-two hours daily. You should only take them out only to eat and drink anything other than water and to brush your teeth. Not wearing them could result in your overall treatment being extended. Think of it this way — the more you wear them, the sooner you don’t have to wear them at all!
2.) Clean your aligners nightly.
Even though you take your aligners out to eat, they can still develop bad bacteria and plaque that can spread to your teeth. These germs can cause infection or illness that will continue to grow in your mouth even after you have put in the new aligner. This also keeps the aligners smelling and tasting as lovely as your toothpaste!
The good news is that cleaning your aligners is really easy and only takes a few minutes. All you need is lukewarm water and a toothbrush separate from the one you brush your teeth. Rinse your aligner with the lukewarm water and then gently brush it with the toothbrush. Once done, you can wear them to sleep!
If you require deeper cleaning, you can use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals or a denture cleaning solution. Be sure to follow the instructions for the solution you choose to use. Before using any product on your aligners, ask Dr. Sheinis if it is safe!
3.) Brush and floss your teeth!
Like your aligners, your teeth and gums can harvest bacteria and plaque. You can get painful cavities, gum disease, infections, and other issues without proper cleaning. You could even lose your teeth! Good oral hygiene also keeps the aligners smelling nice and fresh, as your bad breath can be absorbed into the aligners and make your breath even worse. If an aligner smells and tastes terrible when you go to put it on, it won’t encourage you to wear it for very long, if at all.
You should take your aligners out to brush and floss your teeth twice a day. A consistently kept routine can reduce your risk of tooth loss, disease, and bad breath.
If you have any questions on how to start or improve your oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to ask any member of our knowledgeable team during your appointment. We are always happy to help.
4.) Store them properly.
Your aligners’ clear and small qualities make them discreet and comfortable, but unfortunately, it also makes them easy to lose. Many clear aligners have been left behind in restaurants, wrapped up in napkins, thrown away accidentally, or chewed on by pets.
We must stress the importance of putting your aligners in their protective cases when you are not wearing them. It is easier to know where they are at all times because the cases take up more visual and physical space. It also guards them against the curious mouths of pets and the bottom of shoes if stepped on.
Losing your aligners might extend your treatment time if you have to have more aligners made or adjustments in your treatment plan. One of the benefits of aligners is fewer office visits, and while we love to see all of our patients all the time, we know you are busy, and extra office visits can be inconvenient for you. Keep track of your aligners when you are not wearing them to save time in your day and your treatment time!
We know you are very excited to see your final smile, and it can be very tempting to try to speed up the process by skipping an aligner or a few. However, forcing an aligner on that doesn’t fit can damage your aligners or alter your alignment. If you have to wait for new aligners to be made or have to make adjustments to your treatment plan, you’ll extend overall time in aligners.
Dr. Sheinis has given you a specific set of aligners in a particular order because they all work together to move your teeth into their final positions. Wear each aligner as prescribed, usually for one to two weeks, before putting on the new one.
Come & see us!
Want or need more advice on your aligners? Or if aligners are right for you? Call or visit us to make an appointment at either of our two inviting locations with our experienced and professional teams! We look forward to meeting you and helping you get closer to your shiny, healthy, and aligned smile.