Invisalign braces can straighten teeth in about nine to 15 months. On average, an Invisalign-wearer undergoes one year of treatment. But along the way, the benefits of wearing Invisalign go far beyond just providing you with a smile that is in alignment, looks good, and is fully functional.Invisalign braces can help the wearer:
Lose Weight
To be effective, Invisalign aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. You can remove the aligners to eat meals, to clean them, and to brush and floss your teeth, but in order for the treatment to work as it is intended the aligners must be worn precisely as directed. Because of these strict orders, many Invisalign-wearers find themselves losing weight. They plan their meals more carefully, which means they are more likely to select foods that are healthier and more filling.
Wearing aligners also encourages people to make smarter choices about snacking during the day. Is that piece of candy really worth removing your aligners and cleaning them just to get a sugar rush? Probably not. Better to sip on some water instead and save the dessert for the end of your delicious, healthy dinner. Some see snacking as a weapon in their diet arsenal that prevents them from gorging on giant meals. But if the snacking isn’t healthy, then it’s not really worth the calories, right?
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Break Bad Habits
Have you long been dependent on a steady stream of coffee or soda to get you through each day? Wearers of Invisalign will want to steer clear of any beverages that have the potential to stain or that are riddled with sugar. The only beverage you should be drinking while wearing Invisalign is water because it will clean your mouth, rinse your aligners, and it won’t leave any stains behind damaging your Invisalign trays. Not only is breaking yourself of the sipping habit good for your orthodontic efforts, it’s good for your waistline too.
Other bad oral health habits include chewing on pens or pencils, gnawing on ice, or using your teeth to open things. Any of these activities can lead to broken, cracked, or chipped teeth in an instant, no matter how strong your enamel, no matter how good your oral health is. When you’re wearing Invisalign, you won’t want to damage the aligners – and they won’t exactly be helpful as you attempt to find purchase on a plastic-wrapped item anyway.
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Improve Your Confidence
If Invisalign appeals to you as an orthodontic treatment, then you’re likely someone who prefers to keep their personal business, well, personal. You don’t want anyone to know that you’re wearing orthodontics, but you certainly wouldn’t mind people noticing that your teeth are awesome after your Invisalign treatment is complete. A straight smile can be a boon to your professional life, love life, and social life. Knowing that your smile is in alignment and attractive will be a confidence boost like no other.
Ready to straighten out your life – and teeth? Talk to Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell, a certified Invisalign provider at Red Bank Dentistry, to learn more about Invisalign treatment and whether it’s right for you.
