Invisalign is a great option for conspicuously achieving the smile of your dreams without enduring the changes that metal braces bring to your oral health and eating habits. You don’t have to change your diet when using Invisalign braces since you simply have to remove them before eating or drinking. However, most Invisalign patients find it hard to remove their aligners initially, but with time they find the process getting easy. Are you having a hard time removing your Invisalign braces? Don’t break your nails. We have listed top tips on how to easily remove your Invisalign aligners.
Be Patient
When you are new to Invisalign, it is paramount to be patient. You need to relax and be calm before taking out your Invisalign braces. The first few days you may find the process to be daunting, but it helps to give yourself some extra few minutes to remove the aligners. Being in a hurry to do so may end up damaging the aligners, your teeth or hurt your fingers. If you find it hard to remove the aligners on the first try, take a short break then try again. Be gentle as you do so to make the whole process much smoother.
Wear Gloves
Some patients hurt their fingers or nails while trying to remove Invisalign braces. To avoid these problems, wear thin surgical gloves that will offer a better grip than bare fingers. If possible, get the thin surgical gloves dentists use in order to feel your aligners as you remove them.
Start At The Back
To remove your aligners more easily, try beginning at the back of the mouth. Lift the aligners from the molars on each side and work your way toward the front teeth. Another option is to remove the aligners starting at one end of the mouth moving towards the other side. If you find the aligners are getting stuck at a particular point, lift them up and over the teeth.
Try An Aligner Hook
If you still find some difficulty in removing your aligners, an Invisalign brace hook may come in handy. Use the hook to lift the aligner by placing it under the edge of the brace and gently lift away from the teeth. Be careful not to scrape the teeth or the braces. Never use an aligner hook unless your dentist gives you a go ahead and be sure to ask for any special instructions you should follow.
Other Tips Include:
When wearing Invisalign braces for the first time, you may find your gums are painful and this is usually caused by the rough edges from the new aligner. The rough edges may cause gum irritation causing ulcers, but this is not something to worry about. If you are experiencing pain in the first few days of wearing Invisalign braces, you can do the following to ease the pain and irritation:
- Ask your dentist to prescribe some over-the-counter pain remedies
- Discuss the rough edges with a professional dentist to see if they need to be corrected
- When you remove your aligners, suck on ice cubes
- Avoid chewy, crunchy and crispy foods when your teeth and gums are sore
- Before sleeping, switch to a new aligner