Invisalign can be an exciting way to straighten your teeth without traditional metal braces! Because the clear aligners are removable, maintaining your oral hygiene routine can be relatively simple. However, one habit you shouldn’t overlook during treatment is flossing. Cleaning between your teeth every day is essential for protecting your smile while your teeth are moving.
Why is Flossing So Important with Invisalign?
Your mouth naturally contains bacteria that form plaque on your teeth. When plaque isn’t removed, it can contribute to cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral health problems.
Invisalign aligners fit snugly over your teeth. If you place an aligner over teeth that haven’t been properly cleaned, food particles and bacteria can become trapped against the tooth surfaces for extended periods. This creates an environment where plaque can accumulate more easily.
Flossing helps remove plaque and food debris from between your teeth, areas your toothbrush can’t effectively reach.
Floss Before Putting Your Aligners Back In
One of the most important times to floss is after eating and before putting your Invisalign aligners back in. Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth before replacing your aligners.
If you’re away from home and can’t brush immediately, at least rinse your mouth and your aligners with water before putting them back in. When possible, thoroughly clean your teeth before wearing the aligners again. A travel kit to keep your aligners, toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in can make oral hygiene on the go much easier.
Remember to clean your aligners, too! Your orthodontist should instruct you on how to care for them, but in general, use a soft toothbrush, antibacterial hand soap or a non-abrasive toothpaste, and lukewarm water.
How Should You Floss with Invisalign?
Because your aligners are removable, you don’t have to work around brackets and wires like you would with traditional braces. Remove your aligners and floss normally, using traditional dental floss or another interdental cleaning tool recommended by your dentist.
Gently guide the floss between each tooth, curve it around the sides of your teeth in a “C” shape, and move the string up and down to remove plaque between the teeth and along the gumline.
If traditional floss is difficult to use, ask your dentist about alternatives such as floss picks, interdental brushes, or water flossers.
Continue brushing twice a day, flossing daily, cleaning your aligners, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups. With consistent care, you can work toward a straighter smile while keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout your Invisalign journey.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Bollin is a Springdale, AR dentist who loves nothing more than helping restore his patients’ confidence by providing them with gorgeous smiles. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City and has been a certified Invisalign provider since 2005. If you’re curious about clear aligner treatment, Dr. Bollin would be honored to help you reclaim your confidence, too! Visit his website to schedule a consultation or call (479) 419-9991.