Maintaining Your Invisalign Results: Tips for Middle-Aged Women
Once you’ve completed your teeth straightening treatment, how do you maintain your Invisalign® results? For everyone from teens to middle-aged women, keeping the results of your Invisalign treatment is just as important as the treatment itself. At Milford Dental & Associates in Highland, MI, we provide advanced orthodontic solutions like Invisalign clear aligners to help you achieve a straight smile you’re proud of. Here’s how to ensure your smile stays that way.
“To maintain your Invisalign results, you’ll need to keep up on proper oral hygiene and use your retainers as instructed,” says Dr. Justin Leath at Milford Dental & Associates. “If you do all of that, your smile can stay as beautiful as the day your treatment finished.”
The Importance of Retainers
Today’s retainers have come a long way from those middle-aged women might remember from the 199s. Back then, retainers were predominantly made of rigid metal wires and acrylic, often uncomfortable and highly visible.
Modern retainers, such as the clear plastic Invisalign retainers, offer a more comfortable, discreet, and aesthetic way to keep your teeth straight. They’re also more durable and easier to maintain than ever. These advancements should help comply with your dentist’s instructions.
Commit to Wearing Your Retainer
One of the most critical aspects of maintaining your Invisalign results is wearing your retainer as directed by your dentist. If you don’t wear your retainer consistently, your teeth are likely to shift back to their original positions–putting you back where you started.
After Invisalign treatment, it’s generally recommended to wear your retainer full-time for the first several months. After this, Dr. Leath may recommend wearing it only at night. Some level of lifelong use is advisable to maintain the alignment of your teeth.
Clean Your Retainer Regularly
Just like your Invisalign aligners, your retainer needs to be cleaned regularly to keep bacteria from building up. Rinse it with lukewarm water and use a gentle toothbrush to keep it clean. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the retainer.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
After your Invisalign treatment, you’ll be proud of your smile and motivated to keep it healthy with good oral hygiene habits. These habits bear repeating for everyone, middle-aged women included.
Brush and Floss Daily
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is crucial for maintaining your Invisalign results. Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles. When you’re using a retainer, this is particularly important to keep those particles from getting stuck between the retainer and your teeth.
Regular Dental Checkups
Schedule regular dental checkups at Milford Dental & Associates. Professional cleanings and exams help ensure your teeth stay healthy and any potential issues are addressed promptly.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
A healthy lifestyle is important to your oral health, which will help you maintain your new, beautiful smile after Invisalign treatment.
Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks
To keep your smile looking its best, avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. This includes excess coffee, tea, cola, and red wine. If you do consume them, brush or at least rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean and reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Prevent Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth can significantly affect your ability to keep them straight after Invisalign treatment by exerting excessive pressure on them, causing them to shift out of alignment. If you tend to grind your teeth or clench your jaw, here’s what we recommend:
Wear a Night Guard
If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a night guard can protect your teeth from wear and maintain your Invisalign results. Talk to Dr. Leath about getting a custom-fitted night guard.
Long-Term Maintenance
Your commitment to maintaining your smile doesn’t end when your Invisalign treatment does. Staying consistent with these practices will help ensure your results last a lifetime. If you notice any changes in your teeth or retainer, contact us immediately for early intervention that can prevent minor issues from becoming significant problems.
Your Smile, Your Confidence
Maintaining your Invisalign results is essential for keeping your smile beautiful and your confidence high. At Milford Dental & Associates, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from initial treatment to long-term maintenance.
“You deserve to enjoy the benefits of your Invisalign treatment for the rest of your life,” says Dr. Leath. “Thankfully, maintaining your results can still fit your lifestyle just like your treatment did. We’ll be here to help you every step of the way.”
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.