Brushing After Eating Q.

[tm_25]

Hi there,

I started Invisalign 2 days ago and have a Q. regarding brushing after eating.

1. Is it essential to also floss each time after eating or just brush?
(Thought I heard somewhere that you only need to floss once/day)

2. What happens if you go out for dinner and therefore cannot brush for a couple of hours? Is it best to just leave the aligners out until you get home and brush? Chew some gum to help clean the teeth and put the aligners back in and brush once home? etc...

Thanks, would appreciate your comments.

Regards,

[thedistrict3]

Hey there!

The way I do it (i've had my invisalign for a full week now) is to brush lightly after every meal if it is possible to do so. If theres no washroom around (or if there is but it's disgusting) I just make sure there is no food inbetween my teeth and I put the aligner back in and wait until im home to properly brush.

I also floss once a night or whenever I can feel obvious food in my teeth.

[tm_25]

Ok cool.

I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to put them back in before you've cleaned your teeth. (Heard it's a good idea to chew some gum for 5-10 mins if you can't brush immediately before putting them back in to clean them a little).

I guess if you clean them within a couple of hours it's not the end of the world.

How ya finding it so far?

[thedistrict3]

I'm finding it pretty easy. I still have random teeth aches and pains sometimes, but other than the first two days, there is virtually no pain.

However, my aligners start to smell after about an hour or two of wearing and I get a really bad taste in my mouth after a while. I'm gonna buy some retainer bright or denture cleaner later on today to see if cleaning them when im eating will work.

I'm finding that I eat much bigger meals instead of snacking, and I'm drinking little to no Pepsi or Coke ( which im sadly addicted to). 80% of my beverage intake is straight Water.

[angel9165]

I'm finding it pretty easy. I still have random teeth aches and pains sometimes, but other than the first two days, there is virtually no pain.

However, my aligners start to smell after about an hour or two of wearing and I get a really bad taste in my mouth after a while. I'm gonna buy some retainer bright or denture cleaner later on today to see if cleaning them when im eating will work.

I'm finding that I eat much bigger meals instead of snacking, and I'm drinking little to no Pepsi or Coke ( which im sadly addicted to). 80% of my beverage intake is straight Water.

here's a suggestion... pick yourself up some listerine pre-rinse (has to be pre-rinse) and soak your trays when you're not wearing them at dinner (or whenever possible) and that will keep 'em clean and no smell or bad taste. Been doing that since I got my trays (and I'm over half way done =).

I do chew gum after drinking coffee and before brushing to get rid of the acid that we don't want to brush into our teeth as it will damage the enamel. I carry a toothbrush with me but if I was without, I'd definitely chew some gum before sticking the trays back in.

I only floss once a day (per provider) but I also use the waterpik at night so I guess that's like flossing twice.

Good luck with your treatment! Sounds like your off to an excellent start!!

[thedistrict3]

here's a suggestion... pick yourself up some listerine pre-rinse (has to be pre-rinse) and soak your trays when you're not wearing them at dinner (or whenever possible) and that will keep 'em clean and no smell or bad taste. Been doing that since I got my trays (and I'm over half way done =).

I do chew gum after drinking coffee and before brushing to get rid of the acid that we don't want to brush into our teeth as it will damage the enamel. I carry a toothbrush with me but if I was without, I'd definitely chew some gum before sticking the trays back in.

I only floss once a day (per provider) but I also use the waterpik at night so I guess that's like flossing twice.

Good luck with your treatment! Sounds like your off to an excellent start!!

Thanks, Angel!

Now, which rinse are you speaking of? The "Pre-Brush Rinse"?
Something like this?: "Listerine: whitening Pre Brush Rinse". It comes in a white bottle

[angel9165]

Thanks, Angel!

Now, which rinse are you speaking of? The "Pre-Brush Rinse"?
Something like this?: "Listerine: Whitening Pre Brush Rinse". It comes in a white bottle

Yes, that's the stuff (haven't bought it in a while cuz I bought the biggest I could find). It really does the job!

[mommamorin]

You should not brush your teeth until at least 30 minutes after eating because the enamel is still soft from acidic foods. That being said, give your mouth some really good swishes of water and put your aligners in until you can brush. Lightly brush your aligners as well or use a denture cleaner. It is not suggested by Invisalign as they make their own cleaner but regular denture cleaner works just as well and does not interfere with the integrity of the tray.

[yoyo46]

I just got my invalisgn not more than 30 minutes ago. When my ortho first them in, the pain I felt was incredible.

[Phantom Muse]

Hopefully the pain has subsided by now! In the future, you may want to consider putting in new trays before you go to bed so you can have 8-10 hours of shifting without the need to take them off to eat. Your teeth will make the initial shift, and although you may still feel tender, it won't be so bad.

Angel, Momma - have you heard of anyone having luck with soaking the aligners in straight white vinegar? My blasted sensitivities prevent me from using the Listerine (hives!), so I my ortho suggested vinegar. The only issue is I think the aligners need to soak for many hours to get that *sparkle* thing. If not vinegar, any suggestions for something else that is natural and QUICK?! Thanks!

[mommamorin]

Hi Phantom,
vinegar use? No never heard, but vinegar has such all around uses that it is certainly worth a try. I would just be sure to rinse them really well or you'll be a pucker puss.
let us know if you give it a whirl.

[loynut]

Perhaps I should stock up on some Listerine pre-brush rinse! Can you use the rinse more than once during the day or do you have to pour it out after each soaking?

[Phantom Muse]

Momma - I just switched to my final upper tray tonight (YAY!) and I am going to soak my previous tray in straight white vinegar all day tomorrow and see what happens. I'll let everyone know. I'll also be sure to rinse well; the pucker is NOT my best look!

[havingitdoneintheuk]

Phantom, I recommend you look into the ingredients of retainer brite, it might be a solution for you

[angel9165]

Perhaps I should stock up on some Listerine pre-brush rinse! Can you use the rinse more than once during the day or do you have to pour it out after each soaking?

I keep mine in a small bowl with a lid. One on my desk at work and one on the counter at home. I change it out when I change out the trays. I am careful though not to contaminate it so I rinse the trays well before dropping them in, etc. Works great and my trays never have a smell or any discoloration.

[heidi1124]

I have a semi-related question. If you eat dinner at say 5pm and then don't eat again all night, do you take your trays out and brush your teeth before bed (say 10pm)? Is it necessary? I feel like if I leave them in the 12-13 hours from dinner to the morning without brushing that would be semi-bad for my teeth to have them in the tray that long. Opinions?

[angel9165]

I tend to rinse w/ mouthwash before bed and again in the morning. I don't take my trays out in the morning until I drink coffee at work so just swish w/ mouthwash and then brush after coffee later in the morning. I only take them out to eat or drink and never just to brush...use mouthwash instead so the trays can stay in. I think you're ok for that many hours as long as you always put trays on freshly brushed teeth.

[Phantom Muse]

UK - Thanks! I will look into the retainer brite. My bottom tray is still "clean" after all these weeks, but I'll be using my final refinement trays as retainers, so I'd like a better option for cleaning.

Heidi - For me, it depends on what I eat for dinner! If I have had a benign dinner - no garlic, onions, sweets, etc. - I will leave my trays in until the next morning without brushing again. I also leave them in after brushing after dinner during the first few days of a new tray because it is a little too uncomfortable to take them out repeatedly. Also, nice to hear I am not the only one who can't make it past 5:00 p.m. for dinner these days!

Since I am completely and utterly unable to make it without food for more than 30 minutes after getting out of bed in the morning, I brush pretty much first thing every morning! How DO you manage, Angel?!

[loynut]

I keep mine in a small bowl with a lid. One on my desk at work and one on the counter at home. I change it out when I change out the trays. I am careful though not to contaminate it so I rinse the trays well before dropping them in, etc. Works great and my trays never have a smell or any discoloration.

Thanks Angel! When you say "change out the trays," do you mean every two weeks or every time you take them out of your bowl?

Sorry for all the questions!

[ChicagoVols]

Hi there,

I started Invisalign 2 days ago and have a Q. regarding brushing after eating.

1. Is it essential to also floss each time after eating or just brush?
(Thought I heard somewhere that you only need to floss once/day)


Thanks, would appreciate your comments.

Regards,

TM_25: My provider stated I should floss each time after eating. So far, I have done that (I'm only on Day 3!) so we'll see how long that goes. I'm not sure if it's because I'm lazy, but I do find that I'm eating just 3 meals a day instead of multiple small meals throughout the day. Perhaps the thought of having to floss/brush multiple times at my office bathroom is part of it!

IMHO - if you can floss each time, you should probably do it. Not only is it good for your teeth, but will help keep your mouth clean and your trays properly set.

[ChicagoVols]

I keep mine in a small bowl with a lid. One on my desk at work and one on the counter at home. I change it out when I change out the trays. I am careful though not to contaminate it so I rinse the trays well before dropping them in, etc. Works great and my trays never have a smell or any discoloration.

Angel - thanks for the suggestion! I picked up the Listerine Whitening Pre-Rinse mouthwash today and placed my pieces in a container during my meals.