SureSmile Aligner Homecare

SureSmile aligners can give you straight teeth without the need for cumbersome metal braces. If you’ve decided to try SureSmile aligners to correct your teeth misalignment, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results. However, caring for your SureSmile aligners is critical to ensure you enjoy all the advantages of your treatment.

How to Care for Your SureSmile Aligners

Here are a few tips that can help you properly care for your SureSmile aligners.

1. Push Your Aligners into Place

You’ll need to remove your SureSmile aligners whenever you eat, drink, or engage in sports. However, when you reinsert them, it’s critical to push them back into place—don’t bite them.

Pushing your aligners onto your teeth is much gentler and avoids the risk of damaging them. If you bite your aligners, you may tear or weaken them. In the worst case, you may need to buy new clear aligners.

2. Rinse Your Aligners When You Take Them Out

Whenever you take out your SureSmile or ClearCorrect aligners, it’s critical to rinse them off immediately. Your aligners are exposed to all the bacteria and saliva in your mouth, and if you let them sit without rinsing, you’ll notice they develop a film that coats them. 

You probably want your aligners to be nearly invisible, and a coating will make them more apparent to others. You also risk harboring bacteria on the aligners, which can cause future dental issues. Avoid these problems by simply rinsing your aligners every time you remove them.

3. Wear Your Aligners for 22 Hours Per Day

While clear aligners aren’t obtrusive like traditional metal braces, that doesn’t mean you can take them off whenever you please. If you truly want results from your SureSmile aligners, wear them for at least 22 hours daily. 

You should only remove your aligners when eating, drinking, playing contact sports, or cleaning your teeth. You can keep them in when drinking water. 

Initially, wearing your aligners may feel uncomfortable. However, remember you got them for a specific purpose—realigning your teeth. Over time, any discomfort you feel will subside, just like it does for regular braces. 

Keep your aligners in clear sight whenever you take them off. That way, it’s easier to remember to put them back in right away. You can also consider setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to replace them if you leave them out for an extended time, such as dining at a restaurant.

If you don’t wear your aligners for the full 22 hours per day, you’ll delay the results from your treatment, or fail to see any results at all. You don’t want your money to go to waste. Maintain your focus on your treatment objectives.

4. Clean Your Aligners with Lukewarm Water

It’s common to wonder how to clean dental aligners, especially if they’re new to you. Ensure you start the cleaning process with lukewarm water—never use hot water since it can warp your aligners. 

You should handle them very carefully when you wash them. Don’t try to bend them, and be careful not to cause any scratches. You should also avoid using toothpaste to clean the aligners since it can damage them. 

If you wash them carefully and avoid using any cleaning solution, your aligners will last the entire length of your treatment plan.

5. Take Good Care of Your Teeth

Taking excellent care of your teeth is essential, especially when you have clear aligners. Always brush your teeth before putting in your aligners, especially if you take them out to eat or drink. If you don’t clean your teeth, residue from your meal will build up on the aligners.

You should also floss to remove any food stuck between your teeth after a meal. Keep up your regular morning and evening dental routine for the best results.

6. Soak Your Aligners

Even if you’re 100% on top of caring for your aligners, residue may form on them from saliva in your mouth. To keep them clean, regularly soak them in lukewarm water. Soaking your aligners will naturally remove any leftover residue, helping to keep them clear and debris-free.

7. Put your aligners in a safe place whenever you take them out.

It’s essential to keep track of your aligners whenever you remove them—put them in a safe place where they can’t be damaged or lost. You can use a plastic container, or something similar, to protect them after removal.

Take care of your SureSmile aligners to obtain the best results.

Clear aligners will straighten your teeth and give you an attractive smile, but you’ll need to care for them to receive the best results. Avoid using soap or toothpaste on your aligners, and always brush your teeth before reinserting them. Your aligners will last through your entire treatment plan if you keep them in good working order. Are you looking for a way to straighten your teeth without conventional braces? Farless Dental Group, a Greensboro family dentistry provider, offers clear aligners that correct your smile. Contact us for a consultation today.