When you first got started with Invisalign treatment, your dental team likely emphasized that you should wear your aligners as much as possible. In fact, 20 – 22 hours of daily usage is recommended (the closer to 22 hours, the better). That might seem like a challenging task. After all, 22 hours is equal to more than 90% of your time every day! However, you can be confident that meeting the recommended wear time is a realistic goal.
Continue reading this blog post to learn why the 22-hour rule is so important. You will also find tips for helping you keep up with your treatment.
Why the 22-Hour Rule Matters
Invisalign aligners are effective because they apply sustained, gentle pressure to the teeth in order to slowly shift them over time. Whenever you remove your aligners, that pressure disappears. In other words, Invisalign stops working! Taking your aligners out of your mouth for too long could significantly slow down your treatment. It could also cause you increased discomfort whenever you switch to a new aligner.
In contrast, keeping up with your 22-hour wear time (and following other instructions from your dental team) can help you to have a smooth experience throughout your entire treatment.
How To Meet the 22-Hour Requirement
Here are some tips that may help you meet your daily wear time requirement for Invisalign:
- Keep an eye on the clock at mealtimes. If you are not much of a breakfast person, try to remove your aligners for no more than 15 minutes in the morning. You can allow 30 minutes for lunch and 60 minutes for dinner. A longer dinnertime can allow you to savor your meal and even eat dessert if you choose. That 60 minutes also includes time for you to brush your teeth and clean your aligners.
- Eat enough calories at each meal. If you tend to get hungry between your main meals, you may be tempted to remove your aligners so you can eat a snack. Instead, try to plan your three main meals so they contain enough calories, protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you satiated for several hours.
- Use an app. Some patients find it helpful to use the TrayMinder app to help them keep track of their Invisalign wear time.
- Be efficient with your time. When you take your aligners out at dinner, place them in a cleansing solution so they can soak for 30 minutes or so.
- Be quick with your oral hygiene. Right after you finish eating, you should brush and floss your teeth. It is also wise to rinse your aligners before replacing them in your mouth.
Wearing Invisalign for 22 hours every day might seem challenging at first, but it should be easy once you get into a good routine!
Meet the Practice
At Wellesley Dental Group, we are proud to be home to a large team of oral health experts. Our doctors and support staff want your Invisalign treatment to succeed, so you can count on us for advice and guidance every step of the way. If you would like to learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, reach out to our office at 781-691-4914.