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Improved Hygiene In Orthodontics With Clear Alignment Devices

Healthy nutrition accompanied by adequate oral hygiene helps decrease the possibility of tooth decay, gums disease, and other overall health-related conditions, including infections that spread through the blood vessels to other parts of the body. 

Sugary and starchy foods and drinks are high in carbohydrates. Bacteria feed from sugary residues and break them down, forming acids. Then, bacteria-produced acids corrode (break) the outer protective layer of teeth called enamel. 

As acids accumulate, they penetrate further layers of teeth producing a hole that allows bacteria to advance. As bacteria advances, it increases the risk of an infection that can reach the pulp, which is the living part of a tooth.  

Bacteria also accumulate in the teeth and gums borderline. As bacteria accumulate, it creates a layer of plaque build-up that affects the gums penetrating them. As a result, an early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis might occur. 

Signs of Gingival (gingivitis) problems include redness around the gums, bleeding, and inflammation. To solve the problem, a dentist or dental hygienist might recommend patients brush and floss their teeth frequently. 

However, there is also an advanced case of gum disease known as periodontitis. During Periodontitis, bacteria penetrate the gums forming sacs with fluids that can damage a soft tissue layer that connects the teeth with the bone, making teeth lose.

Tooth decay and periodontitis might result in patients spending money on expensive treatments to treat the problem and avoid losing a denture piece. In addition, the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease increases significantly during orthodontic treatment with braces.

Luckily for patients, Clear Alignment Devices are changing the game, delivering patients formidable results while improving oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. 

This article addresses oral hygiene measures during orthodontic treatment with Clear Alignment Devices, tips for getting the best results and proper care about your clear alignment trays, and a short review of some of the most popular brands.   

What Is the Best Way to Clean Clear Aligners?

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One of the best parts of Clear Alignment Devices is they are easy to clean and are more hygienic than orthodontic braces. In addition, clear Aligners are removable, so patients can detach their devices to brush, floss, and clean the trays. 

What Are Some Tips to Clean Your Clear Alignment Devices?

  • At night, detach your trays and rinse them with water;
  • With a soft-bristled toothbrush, apply gentle pressure and remove any debris or food residues;
  • To enhance results and facilitate the mechanical removal of particles, use clear liquid soap and;
  • Finally, rinse your appliances thoroughly and put them back in your mouth. 

To have better results, some patients combine the effectiveness of the mechanical removal of particles with the chemical sterilization of appliances. Here we include some of the products you might use to soak your devices during your brushing and flossing routine and after you brush your orthodontic appliances. 

  • Retainer Brite: Put your trays in the retainer cup filled with warm water, and then put a tablet;
  • Hydrogen Peroxide or Vinegar: Add a cup of water and a cup of Hydrogen Peroxide or Vinegar and soak your trays for 15 minutes.

Invisalign is the leading brand in the Clear Alignment Devices market. Invisalign is a system that includes several peripherals patients can buy in addition to orthodontic appliances.

Invisalign offers Steraligner, which is a cleaning product with essential oil extracts. Steraligner help eliminates plaque and tartar from Invisalign trays. Also, patients can get a package that contains fifty cleaning crystals, which they can dissolve in water and soak the appliances on.

What Are Some Tips for New Clear Alignment Devices Users?

Tips for newbies using Clear Alignment Devices are far less than those for braces users. However, as in any orthodontic treatment Portland, compliance is a must. So, keep close attention to these tips that will help you go through the path of getting a beautiful smile. 

Use Your Orthodontic Appliances as Prescribed

An essential part of any orthodontic treatment is the patient’s compliance with the orthodontist’s recommendations. Therefore, orthodontists encourage patients to use their Invisalign at least 22 hours daily. 

Some other brands have different configurations that allow patients more flexibility when wearing Clear Alignment Devices.

Remove Your Appliances Before Eating and Drinking

Removable Clear Aligners, as its name implies, require patients to detach them from their teeth before eating any food. This is because biting and chewing with removable devices might deform the appliances.

Deformed appliances might be counter-productive, causing unwanted results, delaying treatment time, or preventing teeth from adequately aligning. Also, food particles and sugar in food and drinks might contribute to plaque formation on the devices.

Also, artificially colored foods and drinks and coffee might stain the appliances. For this reason, orthodontists recommend patients only drink water while using their devices. 

Brands of Clear Aligners

When you think of Clear Alignment Devices, you might think of Invisalign. However, there are other brands in this segment. The top four Clear Alignment Devices brands in the world, according to Fortune Business Insights, are:

Invisalign

Invisalign is the leading brand in the Clear Alignment Devices market. Invisalign offers a system comprising 3D scanning with the Itero Intraoral Scanning Device, state-of-the-art materials developments with a patented thermoplastic product named SmartTrack, and an offer of products tailored by segments including kids, young, and adults.

Clear Correct

Clear Alignment Devices competitors spend millions of dollars on materials R&D. ClearCorrect spent years developing their multi-layer medical-grade plastic that composes a highly transparent and durable product.

SLX Clear Aligners

SLX Clear Aligners incorporate the technology of their own patented Carriere Motion 3D that helps accelerate results from 3 to 6 months, disregarding the malocclusion type. 

Byte

Byte’s most crucial advantage is its cost. Patients can get their impressions at home and send them to a Byte Lab to get their appliances. In fact, among Byte’s benefits include HyperByte, a high-frequency device that helps patients get faster results and enhanced comfort. 

Contact Us for Orthodontics Treatment in Portland at Hillsdale Orthodontics

At Hillsdale Orthodontics, we consider caring for your family smiles a privilege, and it is one we take very seriously. We work hard to provide the best orthodontic care in a comfortable and caring atmosphere. Call us for more information at +15032466785.

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Dr. Alix J. Leemin DMD, MS

Dr. Alix J. Leemin DMD, MS

As a nutty overachiever, Dr. Leemin never lost sight of her childhood dreams of becoming a smartypants orthodontist. After graduating from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors, she embarked on her career in dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated #1 in her class. Feeling just a little too ambitious, she then completed 2.5 years of additional training at OHSU to become an orthodontic specialist.

Stanford University – Bachelor of Arts with Honors
Univ. of Pennsylvania – Doctor of Dental Medicine
Oregon Health & Science Univ. – Master of Science
Oregon Health & Science Univ. – Certificate in Orthodontics

Dr. Alix J. Leemin DMD, MS

Dr. Alix J. Leemin DMD, MS

As a nutty overachiever, Dr. Leemin never lost sight of her childhood dreams of becoming a smartypants orthodontist. After graduating from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors, she embarked on her career in dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated #1 in her class. Feeling just a little too ambitious, she then completed 2.5 years of additional training at OHSU to become an orthodontic specialist.

Stanford University
Bachelor of Arts with Honors
Univ. of Pennsylvania
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Oregon Health & Science Univ.
Master of Science
Oregon Health & Science Univ.
Certificate in Orthodontics

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