Do you have an upcoming Invisalign appointment? You are probably excited about the prospect of finally straightening your teeth. Still, you may wonder about the road ahead. To help you get ready for a successful treatment, read the tips below on how to prepare for Invisalign. They will make sure that your orthodontic journey gets started in the right way!
#1. Adjust Your Brushing Habits
For most people, brushing their teeth once in the morning and once in the evening is perfectly fine. Invisalign patients, however, need to brush more often — after every meal, in fact. You can start establishing this habit right now. It will make it easier to adapt to your treatment, particularly in situations when you are not at home — for example, when you are eating in a restaurant or taking a break for lunch at the office.
#2. Eat Fewer Snacks
Snacking between meals isn’t great for oral health in general, but cutting back on this habit is especially important with Invisalign. That’s because you’ll need to wear your aligners for 20 – 22 hours each day, removing them only when you eat and care for oral hygiene. If you snack frequently, you could find it difficult to reach your wear-time goals. Try to eat filling, balanced meals so you won’t feel the urge to snack between them.
#3. Buy All the Necessary Supplies
When you get started with Invisalign, you’ll get a kit with a few essential tools for your treatment. However, there are some things that you’ll need to buy on your own. For example, you might need an appliance to make it easier to remove your aligners. You might also find it beneficial to purchase an over the counter pain reliever (some patients experience soreness when they first start wearing their aligners).
#4. Put Together a Dental Kit
As noted above, you’ll have to brush your teeth following each meal. To make this as convenient as possible, put together a travel kit with some basic oral hygiene supplies. It should include a toothbrush, fluoridated toothpaste, and floss. You may also want to add a mini bottle of mouthwash.
#5. Figure Out the Financials
Invisalign costs at least a few thousand dollars for most patients. If you do not plan to pay for it upfront, make sure you know about other options. For example, you might qualify for financing through CareCredit. It is also worth finding out if your insurance covers clear aligners. Additionally, ask your local Invisalign provider if they have any specials that could make it easier to afford your treatment.
If you move forward with Invisalign, you can look forward to an easy and exciting journey. The above tips will help you get your treatment started on the right note.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Erin Page is proud to provide Invisalign as one of the many services available at Capital Smiles. She use advanced technology to ensure patients have the best experience possible. Our practice even offers a FREE Invisalign Smile Simulation and up to $500 off treatment. To learn more about how we can serve you, contact our office at 518-374-0317.