There’s a reason that most Invisalign clear aligner patients are adolescents and adults; this orthodontia doesn’t just demand dental maturity, but a heightened level of overall maturity. Even though you won’t have to worry about food debris getting caught in your appliance, you will still need to be diligent about cleaning their teeth, as well as your Invisalign aligners. That means making sure to:
- Brush at least 2-3 times a day, for 2 minutes at a time
- Floss, and for good measure, using a Waterpik or interdental brush
- Have cleaning products at-home and on the go
- Brush your aligners carefully
- Soak your aligners using Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
- Rinse and dry your trays before storage, to minimize bacteria buildup
Patients of all ages should exercise due diligence, responsibility, and refrain from bad habits. It’s common knowledge that smoking is an overall health hazard (the FDA has identified over 7,000 tobacco product chemicals linked to illness), but it can also stain your teeth, your trays, and subsequently disrupt your routine.
Likewise, if a teen or adult patient is constantly taking off their trays to snack, well over the allotted timeframe they should, then that can also be counterintuitive for their overall health and oral health treatment.
Granted, even someone with good discipline may be better suited for different treatments depending on their case; braces, and possibly, orthognathic jaw surgery, may be required for more complex malocclusions. Invisalign treatment is fine for basic misalignments, but not more complicated ones.