removal/putting on questions

[laconic]

i just got my invisaline today and i had a couple questions that a kinda similar (i put them in order of realtive importance)

1. How important is it that i brush my teeth after a meal/snack because when i'm at school it's not exactly easy to do that so would it be like really bad if i just did it after like dinner/breakfeast and before/after sleeping i guess i COULD bring a toothbrush to school but still it would be diffcult if it's a major problem i'll do it because i'm pretty sure that your siliva reduces the decay on your teeth and having invisilagn on reduces that amount of siliva that gets on your teeth.

2. also how important that i wash my hands everytime i take them off/on?

here's an advanced thanks for any help
Thanks

[Punkin]

Originally Posted by laconic

i just got my invisaline today and i had a couple questions that a kinda similar (i put them in order of realtive importance)

1. How important is it that i brush my teeth after a meal/snack because when i'm at school it's not exactly easy to do that so would it be like really bad if i just did it after like dinner/breakfeast and before/after sleeping i guess i COULD bring a toothbrush to school but still it would be diffcult if it's a major problem i'll do it because i'm pretty sure that your siliva reduces the decay on your teeth and having invisilagn on reduces that amount of siliva that gets on your teeth.

2. also how important that i wash my hands everytime i take them off/on?

here's an advanced thanks for any help
Thanks

You should, if at all possible, brush your teeth everytime you take them off. If you cannot, you should at least try to rinse your mouth out really will with plain water.

I know there is a short period of time between classes, but you could throw a small toothbrush and toothpaste in your bag and do a quick brush - it would be better than nothing. You want to keep your teeth as clean as possible to help avoid any potential decay. You are correct in saying that the reduced amount of saliva on your teeth because of the aligners could promote decay.

As for washing your hands, we all know that the number one way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands. Your hands are full of germs, and you are sticking them in your mouth to remove your aligners, so I'd say, whenever possible, wash your hands before you take out your aligners, or, at the very least, get some anti-bacterial gel and use that - but remember, that stuff doesn't taste very good

[nan]

I would try to brush before putting them back in. If you have any food stuck between your teeth, the aligners aren't going to fit correctly and it will hurt! I carry a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with me whenever I'm out. If I know I'm not going to be near a bathroom, I'll bring a bottle of water so that I can brush and rinse.

I'd also try to wash your hands just for germs sake, especially if you're at school touching desks, books etc. Maybe you can throw a travel hand sanitizer into your bag.

[nat30]

I found something to take them out after I had them for almost 2 years. You don't have to put your hands in your mouth! it's called OUTIE tool...you can google to get there.

[marajade]

I am almost done and have never heard of that tool

I would absolutely recommend washing your hands before taking them out or putting them back in and brushing every time! I think someone else said it too, but you wouldn't want to go through all of this and then have a mouthful of decay

As for taking them out easily, I thought I would never get the tops off after my attachments were put on (I have 2 on top and 2 on the bottom). I found rather than trying to pop them off from the gumline on the outside edge, that pulling down with your thumb on the inside and finger on the outside back at the molars works best for me.

[Punkin]

Originally Posted by marajade

I am almost done and have never heard of that tool

I would absolutely recommend washing your hands before taking them out or putting them back in and brushing every time! I think someone else said it too, but you wouldn't want to go through all of this and then have a mouthful of decay

As for taking them out easily, I thought I would never get the tops off after my attachments were put on (I have 2 on top and 2 on the bottom). I found rather than trying to pop them off from the gumline on the outside edge, that pulling down with your thumb on the inside and finger on the outside back at the molars works best for me.

That's exactly how I remove them as well (I've got 7 on the top and 6 on the bottom, and even with the attachments rounded it was still tough), but it's almost impossible to pull them out enough to get them over the attachment without slipping and driving the aligner into your nails, or having your hands slip off just as you get it... :-)

I've tried hooks, and they just didn't seem to work for me (probably for the same reason fingernails don't)