Some patients assume that, since the aligners cover their teeth, it’s impossible to get cavities with Invisalign. That’s not the case. To ensure tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other serious oral health problems don’t develop, you need to commit to good oral hygiene best practices throughout your teeth-straightening journey, like flossing. If you’re not sure how to floss with Invisalign, then read on for a quick how-to!

How To: Floss with Invisalign

Flossing with Invisalign is easy because the aligners are removable. As a result, all you need to do is take them off, rinse them thoroughly with clean, cool water, and store them in their designated case before flossing like usual! In fact, there will really only be one change to your oral hygiene regimen: you need to clean your teeth after each meal and snack to protect your teeth from decaying and your trays from discoloring.

Tips for Flossing On-the-Go

If you work at an office, you’re a busy parent, or you have a demanding schedule at school, you might be wondering how to floss your teeth when you’re away from home. The easiest way is by keeping travel-sized dental hygiene tools in your car, in a drawer at your desk, or in your purse. That way, you can easily floss your teeth (as well as clean your trays) in a matter of minutes!

6 Other Essential Best Practices

In addition to flossing consistently, you need to commit to other good oral hygiene habits to protect your teeth and trays from harm. Here are a few examples:

• Brushing for a full two minutes after each meal.
• Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash consistently.
• Keeping foods and drinks with added sugar to a minimum.
• Drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
• Taking your trays out before eating or drinking anything (other than water).
• Soaking your aligners daily in an orthodontist-recommended cleaner.

Flossing is a crucial part of any oral hygiene regimen. After all, brushing alone only cleans about 60% of the surface of your teeth! So, do your best to be consistent, especially during your Invisalign treatment.

About the Practice

At Simply Orthodontics, creating custom treatment plans is just the beginning. To ensure our patients in Framingham have the positive and stress-free experience they deserve, we also share helpful tips regarding life with Invisalign, including what to do (and what not to do) to keep your smile healthy. We’re also here to answer questions too, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our website or by phone at (508) 250-0170.