The simple answer is yes, you can get your teeth professionally cleaned while using Invisalign. It’s important to maintain regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings, ideally every six months, to support good oral hygiene during your Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out for your cleaning appointment, allowing your dentist to thoroughly remove plaque buildup. If you have attachments on your teeth to help keep the aligners in place, your dentist can clean around these attachments without any issue.
What Will Happen If You Don’t Maintain Good Oral Hygiene While Using Invisalign?
If you skip the flossing and avoid professional dental cleaning appointments, bacteria will find a great home behind your retainer. Trapped bacteria will begin to cause a very unpleasant odour giving you bad breath. If you ignore this, the bacteria may even cause infection and inflammation. Dental infections and oral thrush can be a result, which will cause you unnecessary expenses for additional treatment.
Just as it’s a good idea to maintain your oral hygiene routine with daily brushing and flossing, it’s also a good idea to have regular professional cleaning for the best results at the end of your alignment treatment. On top of that, maintain the cleanliness of your Invisalign retainer so you’re not putting a bacteria-filled attachment onto your nice, clean teeth.
How Long Does Dental Cleaning Take?
When we’re busy, it can be easy for the oral hygienist to fall further down the list of priorities. But by making yourself available for 30-60 minutes every six months, you can stay on top of your oral hygiene and actively prevent further problems from developing. Invisalign treatment – and braces – is a long commitment to a straighter smile. It makes sense to maintain other aspects of your dental health during this period otherwise you may find the overall treatment time increases.
Plaque and tartar build-up can cause tooth decay and gum disease – neither of which support your goals of a healthier, straighter, more confident smile.
At My Family Dental, we accept all health insurance providers and offer you the option of spreading the cost of your dental treatment. Routine cleaning sessions usually take no longer than an hour, though the time taken does depend on your health and the extent of the build-up. Reach out if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment for oral hygiene care.
