One of the most attractive features of clear aligners is their removability. You can — and should — take them out of your mouth multiple times each day so you can eat without worry and maintain your oral hygiene. But what if you find it a little challenging to get your Invisalign out? This blog post is here to help. Continue reading to discover some tips on how to easily remove your clear aligners:
Start at the Back
Instead of pulling on your aligner where it touches your front teeth, reach into your mouth and begin removing it from the back. Just place a fingertip on the inner side of your aligner, close to one of your back molars, and gently tug. Do the same thing on the other side of your mouth and work your way forward.
Do Not Remove Your Aligners after a Cold Drink
It is perfectly okay to sip on cold water while you are wearing your Invisalign. However, keep in mind that your drink’s low temperature might cause your aligners to lose some of their flexibility. They are usually easier to remove when they are at room temperature.
A word of warning is in order: Do not consume a hot drink in the hopes of loosening a tight aligner. The high temperature could warp the plastic and render your Invisalign unusable.
Supplement Your Grip
If your bare fingers usually slide right off of your aligners, try using a paper towel to get a firm grip. You could also try surgical gloves. They are quite thin, so they can allow you to feel what you are doing while still giving you a reliable grasp on the slippery plastic.
Use an Aligner Hook
An aligner hook looks a bit like a crochet hook, but it has a different purpose. It can be used to gently tug your aligners out of your mouth. It can be especially valuable if you have attachments on your Invisalign.
Exercise caution when you are using an aligner hook. You do not want to accidentally damage the delicate soft tissues in your mouth!
Trim Your Fingernails
Long nails may look beautiful, but they can interfere with your ability to get a good grip on your aligners. Try to maintain a relatively short manicure so you can have a few frustrations as possible throughout your Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign aligners can be a little tricky to remove at times. Hopefully, the above tips will help!
Meet the Practice
Our team is proud to provide the Torrington community with comprehensive and compassionate oral healthcare. If you are thinking about getting started with Invisalign, or you are already using it and have questions about your treatment, we are here to help. Get in touch with our friendly office staff at 860-259-4073.