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If you have just started Invisalign, you may be excited about getting the straight teeth you deserve. You can remove them when it’s time to eat, so you don’t have to worry about breaking any wires or brackets. Better yet, you don’t have to clean between any metal either! But as you sit down for your meal, what if you have trouble taking out your aligners? Here are four tips you can try out.
1.) Pull From Your Back Teeth First
Instead of pulling your trays from your front teeth, try to remove them from the back ones first. After you wash your hands, use your fingertip to gently pop out your Invisalign from one side. Once you get it, then switch over to the other and see if you can take it out now.
2.) Use a Towel or Glove
Your aligners may be slippery when they are wet. While saliva helps wash away harmful bacteria, it can be the culprit of why you’re having some trouble. If you need a better grip, you can wrap your finger in a towel or put on a glove. This can help absorb any nearby moisture and give you a better grip.
3.) Get an Aligner Hook
For some patients, the option above doesn’t work, so you might want to try getting an aligner hook. This is a handy tool that many patients get because they have some issues removing their Invisalign. As you might imagine, it’s a plastic hook with a ring at the end to put your finger in. Place it at the end of your tray and gently pull away from your teeth. Just be careful not to do it too hard to avoid injuring yourself!
4.) Drink Lukewarm Water
A nice, cooling beverage can be refreshing, but it can make the plastic trays less flexible. The grip they have on your teeth may be tighter, so you can drink some lukewarm water to slightly heat them up. However, make sure it’s not too hot as it can burn you, but warp your aligners as well. You can also just wait a few minutes for your mouth to warm up naturally!
Try out any of the tips above if your Invisalign is clinging on tight! While you can combine some to help achieve success, sometimes you may just need to take a breather. You may still be getting the hang of this treatment, so give yourself some grace. Hopefully, you find one that works for you, and you can dig into your awaiting food quickly!
About the Author
Dr. Francisca Sanchez earned her dental doctorate from Columbia School of Dental Medicine. With over 20 years of experience under her belt, she is happy to help the community get the straighter smiles they deserve with Invisalign. Dr. Sanchez will stick with you throughout your treatment, so you know what you can do to avoid any delays. If you have any questions about your aligners, schedule an appointment or call her office at (646) 669-7407.