If you’re one of the many people who wish to achieve a straighter smile but hesitate to commit to irremovable and conspicuous metal braces, SureSmile may be your ideal orthodontic treatment. This method uses a sequence of customized removable clear aligners to gradually shift your teeth into healthier positions without the visible components or frustrating dietary restrictions that come with traditional braces. Here’s a brief guide to how you can keep your SureSmile aligners in great shape and your orthodontic treatment on track.
Keep Your SureSmile Aligners Clean
SureSmile clear aligners are designed to snugly fit the teeth while gently but constantly exerting enough pressure to gradually shift them into better positions. While this tight fit makes for an effective orthodontic treatment, any food residue or plaque trapped between the teeth and the aligners will be protected from the mouth’s natural cleaning process, resulting in dental stains or tooth decay that can significantly delay your treatment.
To keep your teeth healthy and your treatment on track, thoroughly rinse your aligners and meticulously brush and floss your teeth before you put your appliances back in. This will keep the teeth and the aligners free of food debris and bacteria that can harm your smile.
Keep Track of Your SureSmile Aligners
One of the major advantages of SureSmile clear aligners is that they are virtually invisible when worn, but their transparency can lead to significant problems if you don’t keep track of them. For SureSmile treatment to work, you must wear your aligners for at least twenty hours every day. Ideally, you will only remove them for oral hygiene sessions, snacks, meals, and drinking anything other than water.
However, many patients will remove their aligners for a meal, put them on a napkin next to their eating space, and find that they have been swept up and thrown away later. To prevent this, always keep a pocket-sized clean container for storing your aligners when not wearing them. If you have already lost an aligner, call your orthodontic provider. They may recommend switching to the previous tray in the sequence while a new one is manufactured or simply moving on to the next set.
Don’t Chew or Drink Anything but Water When Wearing SureSmile Aligners
While SureSmile clear aligners are made from durable transparent plastic, they are not designed to withstand the pressures of chewing and are vulnerable to staining. Chewing while wearing your clear aligners can cause them to break and ruin their ability to shift the teeth appropriately, resulting in delays in your treatment. Drinking anything but water or eating items that are high in dyes while wearing your aligners can also cause them to become stained and clearly visible on your smile.
SureSmile clear aligners can give you a healthier and more beautiful grin without many of the troublesome downsides that come with traditional braces. By taking the proper precautions, you can keep your aligners in great shape and your treatment as brief and effective as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Marc Moulton earned his dental degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry before completing a one-year residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Alabama Dental Association. His office in Birmingham offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as SureSmile treatments. To schedule your SureSmile consultation, contact the office online or dial (205) 988-3360.