Month: June 2020

What You Should Know When Drinking With Invisalign

Posted on June 19, 2020 by - For Adults, For Teens, Invisalign

Young blonde girl smiling holding her clear aligner, What You Should Know When Drinking With Invisalign, Jupiter Orthodontics

One of the many perks of Invisalign® treatment is that it requires minimal lifestyle changes! Invisalign is designed to be clear, convenient, removable, discrete and effective! While there are not many restrictions with Invisalign clear aligners, there are some drinking restrictions while your aligners are in place. Understanding when to take out your aligners is important in protecting your smile and your investment!

When you visit us for your free orthodontic exam, Dr. King will tell you everything you need to know about Invisalign treatment. He will take the time to discuss any temporary dietary changes you’ll have to make to ensure that your treatment is as effective, efficient, and comfortable as possible.

The Safest Drink for Invisalign

The best thing you can do (not only for your health, but for your clear aligners too) is drink water! Water is the only drink you can have without removing your aligners. Invisalign trays are prone to stain, and can become damaged or warped by hot beverages. More importantly, drinking sugary beverages while wearing your Invisalign trays is bad for your teeth!

When you drink sugary, carbonated beverages while wearing your trays, those sugars are trapped on the surface of your teeth and between your teeth. This can lead to plaque build-up, and eventually tooth decay!

If you happen to drink something other than water while wearing your trays, don’t worry! Simply remove your clear aligners, rinse them under water, and use a travel toothbrush to brush your teeth and aligners.

Drinks to Avoid while Wearing Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners are clear for a reason, and we want to help you keep them that way! It’s important to know that casually drinking green tea, coffee, alcohol or smoothies with invisalign can damage your aligners and potentially harm your teeth. Be in-the-know on which drinks you should avoid to prevent damage to your aligners and to ensure a successful, timely treatment!

Here is a Quick List of Drinks to Avoid while Wearing Invisalign :

  • Hot drinks
  • Teas
  • Coffee
  • Wine and Beer
  • Soda
  • Juice
  • Carbonated/sparkling water
  • Milk
  • Smoothies

Invisalign and Hot Drinks

It’s no secret that Invisalign and coffee do not mix well! After all, coffee is infamous for staining the teeth, so imagine what it can do to your aligners!While that is true, coffee and other hot drinks can do more damage than just staining your aligners.! Drinking coffee and hot drinks with Invisalign can permanently damage your aligners, because heat naturally warps plastic. When clear aligners become warped, they no longer fit as well as intended, which can create an ineffective treatment.

This is why it is also important to remember that you should clean your aligners with room temperature water. Boiling or soaking your aligners in hot water can damage your trays and affect the fit and comfort as well.

When your custom aligners are made, a sheet of the Invisalign plastic is first heat-softened, and then vacuum-formed (sucked down) over a model of your teeth, thus giving the aligner its precise shape. Drinking hot beverages with your aligners incan alter the intended precision of your trays.

What Will Stain Invisalign?

It is important to remember that your Invisalign clear aligners are easily stained. Drinking juices, red wine, or coffee with Invisalign can cause discoloration in your trays. We encourage you to only drink water while wearing your aligners, but if you accidentally stain them, we have a fix! Soaking your aligners in a retainer cleaning solution, like Retainer Brite®, can effectively minimize these stains.

Retainer Brite is the #1 doctor-recommended brand to cleanInvisalign trays, retainers, night guards and any other removable dental appliance! You can use these tablets to clean and disinfect your aligners with the professional strength of a dental office at home. Keeping your clear aligners clean is essential for maintaining your oral health. If you don’t take cleaning measures seriously, bacteria can build up in the aligners, which can cause health complications for your teeth and gums.

Invisalign and Drinking with a Straw

We have a lot of patients ask if they can still drink whatever they want if they use a straw with Invisalign. While you may have heard of this trick for teeth whitening, it does not work in regards to keeping your aligners safe. Hot drinks will still cause heat damage, and sugars can still be trapped in your teeth.

It is important to remember that while these drink restrictions sound like a downside to Invisalign treatment, Invisalign clear aligners are made to be comfortable and fit your lifestyle. When you compare the dietary restrictions with braces vs Invisalign, you’ll find that clear aligners are much easier to manage!

Still Have Questions About How to Care for Your Invisalign Aligners?

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about getting started with Invisalign and protecting your aligners! Our goal is to help you choose the best treatment option for you. We encourage you to schedule your free exam or reach out to us at our Jupiter office (561-747-5766) today!

What To Expect Your First Week With Braces

Posted on June 16, 2020 by - Braces, For Adults, For Children, For Teens

Young girl laying in grass, smiling with braces, Jupiter Orthodontics, What To Expect Your First Week With Braces

Getting braces on is an exciting day for all of our patients! Beginning your smile journey is a momentous occasion. However, under all the excitement, there are a few minor lifestyle adjustments you’ll have to make. It is important to remember that not only will your teeth be adjusting, but so will you! After all, you do suddenly have a mouth full of brackets and wires to get used to.

The first week with braces can be a little odd, but if you follow these tips and tricks, you will have a seamless transition.

Here Are Our Best Tips for Your First Week with Braces

How to prepare for your first braces appointment

Beginning your smile journey is something to look forward to! Leading up to your appointment, we encourage you to think of as many questions as you can. While we will do our best to prepare you, we want to make sure that you leave our office feeling comfortable and confident in your new braces. If you have any questions after you leave the office, rest assured that you can always contact our office or ask your questions through our virtual consultation portal.

How Long After Getting Braces Can You Eat Normal Foods?

It is important to choose soft foods the first few days after getting braces. Not only do we want to protect your new brackets while the dental cement sets, but your teeth may be a little sensitive as well. We recommend grocery shopping ahead of time and stocking your pantry with soft foods and cold foods to help ease any discomfort. Having readily available options to choose from while you adjust to your braces will make for an easier transition.

Here are some foods you can eat during your first week with braces:

  • Yogurt
  • Apple sauce
  • Pudding
  • Ice cream, milkshakes and smoothies
  • Soft-cooked meat, like brisket or fish
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Bananas, grapes, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits without pits
  • Soft crackers or cookies
  • Cheese
  • Peanut butter and jelly
  • Ravioli, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, and other noodle dishes
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Oatmeal
  • Seafood
  • Cooked or soft vegetables
  • Moist desserts

You have plenty of tasty options to eat with braces the first week! Although, there are a few foods you should avoid to prevent discomfort, broken brackets or loose wires:

  • Popcorn or nuts
  • Sticky and hard candy
  • Gum
  • Ice
  • Corn chips
  • Pretzels
  • Hard cookies or crackers

Try to avoid biting into hard foods with your front teeth. When possible, cut up these hard foods into smaller pieces:

  • Raw vegetables
  • Croutons
  • Hard rolls/breads
  • Thin crust pizza
  • Chewy meats
  • Burgers
  • Sub sandwiches
  • Corn on the cob

Know how to properly brush your teeth with braces

Braces can be tricky to clean, but with practice and the right tools, you can ensure a beautiful end result! It is important to brush as often as possible while undergoing braces treatment. If you do not take proper care of your braces, then you are at risk for decalcification (permanent white marks) on your teeth. Decalcification is a result of plaque buildup, but is 100% preventable! To maintain optimal oral hygiene, follow these quick tips on brushing with braces:

  • Ask your orthodontists for their recommendation on the best toothbrush for your braces.
  • Practice angling your toothbrush at different degrees to get the top and bottom of your brackets as well as your gums.
  • Always floss! Invest in floss threaders and keep them handy with your floss.
  • Keep a compact mirror with you to keep an eye on food build-up.

Build A Braces Survival Kit

Some of the best advice we can give our patients is to build a braces survival kit to keep on-hand at all times! A portable braces kit can help you to keep your teeth clean, to be prepared for minor emergencies, and to minimize any discomfort! Your kit can be small; it’s what’s inside that counts! Here is a list of our braces survival kit must-haves:

  • Compact toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Floss and a floss threader
  • Orthodontic wax for a loose or pokey wire
  • Mints
  • A few over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol
  • Lip balm
  • Compact mirrorYou can keep your kit handy in your backpack, purse or car! Having all of these items available will ensure a smooth and comfortable braces experience.

Still Have Questions About Your First Week with Braces?

If you have any questions regarding your braces treatment or are ready to schedule your free consultation in Jupiter, we can’t wait to meet you! We are excited to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have about orthodontic treatment.