After years of suffering from a misaligned and crooked smile, you finally get the chance to straighten it without the hassle of brackets and wires using\u00a0ClearCorrect aligners. This modern orthodontic treatment comes with a variety of benefits that you can\u2019t get with traditional braces, making it worth the week-long adjustment period. \u00a0As with any oral appliance, your mouth will have to get used to it, so to make the process easier on yourself, read on for six tips to help you get through the first week.<\/p>\n
Oral appliances can make your mouth feel full and like your tongue is constantly out of place. The edges of your clear aligners may irritate your tongue at first, but it will eventually adjust to the feeling. To speed up this process, you can use dental wax to help cover the areas that are bothering you. If that doesn\u2019t do the trick, you can ask your dentist to file the area down for you.<\/p>\n
When you switch to a new series of clear aligners in your treatment, you may notice that they\u2019re slightly tighter for the first couple of days. This can cause some soreness, but nothing that can\u2019t be remedied with over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen. You can also create a chewing motion with your mouth to help massage your gums and stimulate blood flow as a natural pain reliever.<\/p>\n
Placing new trays in your mouth can be tough the tighter they get. That\u2019s why they\u2019ve created special tools that are designed to\u00a0make it easy to insert and remove your trays. While your hands may work for you now, as the treatment progresses it can get more difficult, so you may want to\u00a0invest in one of these devices.<\/p>\n
As with any orthodontic treatment, you have to actually wear your oral appliance to get the results you\u2019d like. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to get used to wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day. To get in the habit, you can download a mobile app or set a timer on your phone to see how long you\u2019ve worn them for. Some apps can also double as a calendar reminder to switch to your new set of trays every two weeks.<\/p>\n
To keep your trays clean and clear, it\u2019s important to regularly clean and sanitize them. You can do this by using a soft-bristled brush and clear antibacterial soap. Also, be sure to soak them in either a 50\/50 mixture of water and vinegar or a specially made solution. Just remember not to use hot water because it can warp your aligners.<\/p>\n
The first week of your treatment is critical because it\u2019s when you start to\u00a0develop good habits. As you start your journey with ClearCorrect treatment, establish a personal routine that you can get used to completing every day. This will make the process hassle-free and help protect you from experiencing any discomfort or issues along the way.<\/p>\n
About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. David Earnest is an active member of a variety of professional organizations so he can keep up to date with the latest advancements in his field. He enjoys having the opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships with his patients so he can provide them with individualized and reliable care they deserve. He\u2019s passionate about putting his patients\u2019 minds at ease and optimizing their oral health. For questions or to schedule a consultation to get ClearCorrect, visit Comal Dental\u2019s website<\/a> or contact 830-625-1515.
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