Why Are Straight Teeth Important?
Many of us dream of having a perfectly straight movie star smile. You may think that it’s only a cosmetic concern, but actually, having straight teeth can benefit your overall health for many reasons.
Brush & Floss More Easily
First and foremost, straight teeth are easier to clean. Crooked teeth sometimes create tight spaces where plaque and bacteria can accumulate that are hard to reach with a normal toothbrush. It can also be tricky to thread floss between overlapping teeth. We all know that poor oral hygiene can result in cavities, gum disease, decay, and many other issues. Straightening your teeth will help you keep your smile healthy and sparkling.
Prevent Wear & Tear
Your upper and lower teeth are meant to align in a certain way when you bite down. When your teeth don't line up properly, they can rub against each other in unusual ways, leading to uneven wear on the tooth surfaces. This makes chipping or cracking more likely to happen. Wear and tear also erode the protective layer of enamel on the outside of your teeth, leaving you more susceptible to problems like cavities, decay, and tooth sensitivity.
Minimize Jaw Pain
A misaligned bite can also put undue stress on your jaw muscles, resulting in stiffness or pain. When you have crooked teeth, your jaw may have to work a little harder to chew or talk properly. When those muscles get fatigued, it can lead to headaches or TMJ. Straightening your teeth can help alleviate tension around the jaw and reduce discomfort.
Invisalign in North Richland Hills, Texas
If you think it might be time to straighten your teeth, contact our team at North Richland Hills Dentistry for an orthodontic consultation. We offer Invisalign clear aligner therapy, so you don’t have to deal with unsightly metal braces. For more information, schedule an appointment today!
Contact Us Today!
Keeping Invisalign Clear Aligners Clean
For years, you would need to get metal braces if you wanted a straighter smile. Now, we use Invisalign® clear aligners for many cases! There are some differences between braces and Invisalign®, including the fact that clear aligners are removed for cleaning. How do you keep them in good shape? Here are some tips:
Rinse Your Aligners Every Time You Take Them Out
You remove Invisalign clear aligners every time you eat or drink something that’s not water. We recommend taking the opportunity to rinse your Invisalign. The dried spit and plaque on the clear aligners attract bacteria, so rinsing them throughout the day keeps them cleaner.
Soak Your Invisalign When You’re Not Wearing Them
Rinsing isn’t the only thing you should do when you’re not wearing your aligners. They should be protected from germs in the air, so they should ideally go into their tray with a soaking solution. You can use denture cleaner or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals. Rinse off the aligners before you put them back in your mouth.
Brush Your Teeth Before You Put Your Aligners Back In
You don’t want to wear clean aligners on unbrushed teeth. Food will get smashed right against your teeth. After eating, always brush before putting your Invisalign back in.
Clean Your Aligners With a Toothbrush
You should clean your aligners with a toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap twice a day. While you brush your teeth is a great time for this routine. Why clear soap? Colored soaps can tint the color of the plastic. Toothpaste is too abrasive.
Don’t Use Hot Water
Whether you’re rinsing or cleaning your Invisalign, never use hot water. Hot water can warp the shape of the plastic. Even a slight change in their fit can affect how well the aligners work.
Invisalign at North Richland Hills Dentistry
At our North Richland Hills office, Dr. Desai and the team are committed to high-quality dental care. Invisalign clear aligners are a great alternative to braces and work for a variety of alignment issues. Because they’re removable, it’s easier to keep both your teeth and the aligners clean during your treatment. Interested in learning more about Invisalign? Please contact us today!
Contact Us Today!
The Differences Between Braces & Invisalign
In our modern world, we have more choices than ever. Just walk into any grocery store and you’ll be confronted by a seemingly endless number of variations of the same product. Things have changed in the dental industry as well as new advancements give rise to more treatment possibilities. When it comes to orthodontics, this is no exception. If you decide to straighten your teeth, you’ll have to decide whether you want to get braces or Invisalign. So what’s the difference and how do you decide? Here’s the scoop on the two main differences:
The Appearance
One of the most notable differences between braces and Invisalign is also the most noticeable. Traditional braces have a much more prominent look due to their use of brackets and wires. Some practices now offer the option of clear brackets and tooth-colored wires to disguise the appearance of braces, but the fact remains that there is an appliance fashioned to the outside of your teeth.
Invisalign, on the other hand, is chosen by many patients specifically because it has a very subtle look. Instead of metal hardware, this treatment uses fitted plastic aligners made from clear plastic material. This means that they blend into your teeth much more seamlessly.
The Convenience
Like briefly mentioned previously, braces are fixed onto the outside of your teeth, which means there’s no taking them off once they’re on. Invisalign aligners, however, can be popped on and off. Because of this, you can continue to brush and floss your teeth like normal when undergoing Invisalign treatment. You can also eat without any food restrictions since there’s no concern of food getting stuck and messing up the orthodontic hardware.
On the flip side, this also means that brace's patients don’t have to remember when to put their orthodontics back on. Invisalign patients must be diligent about keeping their aligners on for the right amount of time—and also not misplacing them when they take them off!
Come In & Consult with Us!
If you still have some questions about how these two orthodontic treatments differ, we invite you to come into North Richland Hills Dentistry for a consultation. Our team will be happy to help you figure out what’s best for your smile! To schedule a consultation, contact us today!