Do I Need to Floss Every Time with Invisalign?

Yes, it's recommended to floss every time you brush your teeth with Invisalign. This helps remove food particles and plaque between your teeth, ensuring better oral hygiene. Using a purple persulfate-free retainer cleaner for your aligners ensures they stay clean without harsh chemicals, complementing your flossing routine and maintaining overall dental health.

Why Flossing Is Essential with Invisalign

Preventing Plaque and Tartar Buildup

Invisalign aligners create a sealed environment around your teeth. If food particles and plaque are not removed through regular flossing, they can quickly build up, leading to tartar formation. Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that can only be removed by a dental professional and can cause gum disease and tooth decay.

Reducing the Risk of Gum Disease

When plaque accumulates around the gum line, it can cause inflammation and lead to gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and bleeding gums. Flossing helps remove plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line, reducing the risk of developing gum disease during your Invisalign treatment.

Avoiding Cavities

Trapped food particles can turn into plaque, which produces acids that erode tooth enamel, leading to cavities. By flossing regularly, you remove these particles and prevent the formation of plaque, keeping your teeth healthy and cavity-free.

How Often Should You Floss with Invisalign?

After Every Meal

Ideally, you should floss after every meal. Removing your aligners to eat provides an excellent opportunity to clean your teeth thoroughly before reinserting them. By flossing after meals, you ensure that no food particles are trapped between your teeth and aligners, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and dental problems.

At Least Once a Day

If flossing after every meal is not feasible, make sure to floss at least once a day, preferably before bedtime. This routine helps remove any debris accumulated throughout the day and prevents plaque from hardening overnight.

Tips for Effective Flossing with Invisalign

Use the Right Floss

Choose a floss that is comfortable and effective. Waxed floss tends to glide more smoothly between teeth and is less likely to shred. You can also opt for floss picks or interdental brushes for easier use, especially if you find traditional floss challenging to handle.

Follow Proper Flossing Technique

To ensure effective flossing, follow these steps:

1. Take About 18 Inches of Floss: Wind most of it around your middle fingers, leaving an inch or two to work with.
2. Hold the Floss Tightly Between Your Thumbs and Forefingers: Gently slide it between your teeth.
3. Curve the Floss Around Each Tooth: Use a C-shaped motion and slide it up and down against the tooth surface and below the gum line.
4. Use a Clean Section of Floss for Each Tooth: This prevents transferring plaque and debris from one tooth to another.

Complement Flossing with Brushing

Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing helps remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, while flossing takes care of the areas between them.

Rinse with Mouthwash

Using an antimicrobial mouthwash can help reduce plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after flossing and brushing to ensure a clean and fresh feeling.

Maintaining Your Aligners

Clean Your Aligners Regularly

In addition to flossing and brushing your teeth, it's essential to clean your Invisalign aligners daily. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, antibacterial soap or a specialized aligner cleaning solution to keep them free from plaque and bacteria.

Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks

Certain foods and beverages can stain your aligners, making them look less appealing. Avoid consuming coffee, tea, red wine, and colored sodas while wearing your aligners. If you do indulge, be sure to brush and rinse your aligners afterward.

Store Aligners Properly

When not wearing your aligners, store them in their protective case to keep them clean and safe from bacteria and damage.

Conclusion

Flossing is an essential part of maintaining oral hygiene during Invisalign treatment. Ideally, you should floss after every meal to remove food particles and plaque, but at the very least, make sure to floss once a day. By following proper flossing techniques and maintaining a comprehensive oral care routine, you can ensure the success of your Invisalign treatment and enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile.

Taking care of your teeth and aligners may seem like a lot of work, but the results are well worth the effort. Regular flossing, brushing, and cleaning of your aligners will help you achieve the best possible outcome from your Invisalign treatment. Remember, good oral hygiene practices are crucial for your dental health, both during and after your treatment.

Are you currently using or thinking about using retainer cleaning tablets? It's important to be aware that certain cleaner brands have the potential to cause toxic reactions.

It's crucial to be aware of harmful ingredients hiding in common cleaner brands. One such persulfate, which can pose SERIOUS health risks and is found in almost all leading retainer cleaners brands. Moreover, persulfate's health risks potentially impact respiratory health and skin sensitivities in your family, especially in teens and sensitive individuals. Learn more about the risk of persulfate HERE. 

Disclaimer:

The content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen. The author and publisher do not take responsibility for any consequences resulting from the information provided in this article.