Invisalign offers a discreet way to straighten your teeth, but their success depends heavily on how consistently you wear them. Most patients are instructed to wear their aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours each day and to only take them out for eating, drinking anything besides water, brushing, and flossing. Twenty-two hours may sound like a lot at first, but building a few simple habits into your daily routine can make it much easier.
1. Keep Your Aligners in During the Day
The easiest way to reach your daily wear goal is to think of your aligners as something you wear most of the time, not something you repeatedly take in and out.
Remove them when necessary but put them back in as soon as you’re finished eating or cleaning your teeth. If you spend 30 minutes eating breakfast, another hour at lunch, and an hour at dinner, your total removal time can add up quickly.
Keeping your aligner case with you can also make it easier to safely store your aligners whenever you do need to remove them.
2. Cut Unnecessary Snacking Out
Frequent snacking can make Invisalign wear time more challenging because you’re constantly taking them out to eat. Instead of removing your aligners several times throughout the day, consider eating meals at designated times.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up snacks completely. The goal is just to be mindful of how often you’re removing your aligners.
If you need something to wash your snack down with, opt for water so you can keep your aligners in.
3. Create a Routine for Cleaning Your Teeth
Good oral hygiene is essential during Invisalign treatment. After eating, brush and floss as directed before putting your aligners back in.
If you’re away from home, carrying a dental travel kit packed with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss can make maintaining your routine much easier. When brushing isn’t immediately possible, follow your dental professional’s recommendations for keeping your mouth and aligners clean until you can brush properly.
The key to reaching 22 hours of daily wear isn’t perfection; it’s consistency. Set reminders on your phone if you frequently forget to put your aligners back in, and make wearing them part of established routines such as getting ready for work, school, or bedtime. You got this!
About the Author
Dr. David Tillman hasn’t been recognized as a “Super Dentist” by Texas Monthly Magazine for nothing. He sports a degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, has completed over 2,500 hours of post-graduate dental education, and was even selected by former Texas Governor Rick Perry as 1 of 8 appointees to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. Additionally, Dr. Tillman completed 2 years of comprehensive orthodontic instruction through the American Society of Orthodontics. If you’re interested in Invisalign treatment, book an appointment online or call our Fort Worth office at (817) 870-4746.