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Wearing Invisalign: How to Reach the 22-Hour Mark Each Day

September 19, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 7:01 pm
woman inserting Invisalign aligner into mouth

When thinking about the new smile you’ll achieve with Invisalign, you may be focused on the benefits and confidence you’ll enjoy once treatment is complete. While that is fine, it’s important to remember that a 22-hour wear time is essential if you want your straighter teeth to move into alignment on time. Read on to discover a few helpful tips that can help you reach this targeted timeframe each day and avoid an accidental delay in treatment.

Why is Wearing Invisalign for 22 Hours Important?

To ensure that your teeth continue to move in the right direction, they need gentle yet continuous pressure. It is necessary that you wear your aligners for a designated amount of time (an estimated two weeks) before switching them out for the next set.

If trays are not worn 20-22 hours each day, you risk causing a delay in your treatment, which will only put you further away from your desired results.

Invisalign must remain in place for it to effectively shift your teeth into proper alignment.

What Can You Do to Make Sure You Wear Your Aligners for 22 Hours?

It might seem as if wearing your aligners for a full 22 hours is impossible, especially when you think about needing to eat, drink, and keep your teeth (and Invisalign) clean, but there are ways to do it effectively.

  • Set a Timer: When wearing Invisalign, it’s best to set a timer while eating. You’ll want to be more focused on completing your meal so that you can return to wearing your aligners. This means that you shouldn’t lazily eat your food. Instead, allot a certain amount of time to consume breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that you can incorporate one or two snacks and effective cleaning each day.
  • Soak & Eat at the Same Time: While enjoying a meal with family or friends, place your aligners in a cup of Invisalign Cleaning Crystals so that they can receive their daily soak. This helps to eliminate harmful bacteria from your trays and cuts down on additional time you would otherwise need to spend letting your aligners soak. You’re essentially multi-tasking.
  • Keep Your Aligners Nearby When Cleaning Your Teeth: When taking care of your teeth and gums each morning and night, keep your aligners within eyesight. This will remind you to reinsert them after completing your oral hygiene routine.
  • Install a Reminder App on Your Phone: Tray Minder is a common app used by individuals with Invisalign that closely monitors how much you wear your aligners.

Achieving a straighter smile is the ultimate goal when it comes to wearing Invisalign. By sticking to these guidelines, you can be well on your way to a healthier set of teeth that look beautiful, feel good, and make daily living more enjoyable.

About the Author
Dr. Udoka Holinbeck earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As a holistic dentist at Bionica Dental Wellness, she and her team provide Invisalign clear aligners to those who desire a more discreet form of orthodontic treatment. Capable of addressing all types of dental issues, such as overcrowding, gapped teeth, and bite misalignment, she encourages each patient to abide by the 22-hour wear rule if treatment is to be successful and timely. If you are considering Invisalign and want to learn more, visit our website or call (262) 337-9745.

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