How to Clean Invisalign Clear Aligners | Important Tips, Do’s & Don’ts

People who might be self-conscious about traditional braces will consider clear aligners as their option. Invisalign clear aligners can be used to correct a wide range of orthodontic issues. Here is a comprehensive overview of what they are and how to take care of them.

What are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Invisalign aligners are clear, smooth plastic braces used in orthodontic treatment. They are virtually invisible and removable, especially when eating, flossing, or brushing your teeth. Invisalign aligners are more comfortable compared to traditional braces. They do not irritate your gums or cheeks during your treatment process. Their treatment is estimated to last 12 to 18 months, depending on the severity of your orthodontic issue.

Why Do You Need Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Here is why you may need Invisalign to enhance your smile:

  • If you have crowded or misaligned teeth
  • Have gapped teeth
  • Bite issues such as underbite, crossbite, or overbite

What are the Tips to Clean Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Here are some important tips, do’s, and don’ts after getting Invisalign clear aligners:

Do’s after Getting Invisalign

  • Clean Your Aligners Daily: Before wearing your aligners, remember to clean them. First, wash your hands and clean one clear aligner at a time using soap and water. Clean them inside and outside carefully and gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the aligners. Wearing unclean aligners can put you at risk of developing bad breath and tooth decay.
  • Soak Them Every Day: To ensure that your aligners look and smell fresh, you must soak them at least once daily. You can soak them in a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals. After you have soaked them, get a toothbrush to brush off plaque and food particles from it. Use a different toothbrush from the one you use for your teeth. After brushing the Invisalign, rinse them off using warm water before placing them back into your mouth.
  • Rinse Them Off After Removing Them: Whether you are taking them off to eat, drink or brush your teeth, rinse the aligners every time you take them off. This prevents plaque and dry saliva from building up.
  • Brush Your Teeth Before Putting Them Back: Our dentist in Chino, CA recommends that your teeth and gums remain healthy during Invisalign treatment. Practicing regular oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth will keep your teeth strong and healthy. Before putting your aligners back on, endure your gums and teeth are clean. If not, food particles can get trapped against your teeth inside the aligners and could lead to decay or gum infections.
  • Take Them Out Every Morning: Bacteria builds up on the Invisalign trays while sleeping. Developing a morning routine of removing and cleaning your trays is vital to your oral health.
  • Handle Stains Gently: Even after adequately caring for them, you may notice that your aligners are getting cloudy or discolored. Our dentist near you suggests not to use anything harsh or harmful when removing stains. You can eliminate the cloudiness by mixing equal measurements of warm water and hydrogen peroxide and soaking the aligners in the solution for a few hours.

Don’ts after Getting Invisalign

  • Leave Your Trays Lying Around: Store them in a safe place when you are not using your aligners. Leaving them out in the open air exposes them to bacteria buildup. In addition, there is also the chance that they may get lost or damaged. Always carry your aligner case with you. If you forgot your case, soak the aligners before using them again.
  • Eat Or Drink with Your Aligners On: While it’s okay to drink water while wearing your aligners, our Invisalign dentist near Chino Hills recommends removing them when eating and taking other beverages. This is because other drinks and food substances can stain the aligners. In addition, they are also not made to withstand the pressure of chewing or biting. This can damage the aligners or get food particles stuck on them.
  • Use Scented Soaps: Using a scented or colored soap to clean your aligners will leave them tasting unpleasant when wearing them. The colors used in soaps may also stain the aligners.
  • Don’t Use Toothpaste: The majority of toothpaste contains abrasives like silica or baking soda. These abrasives are very helpful when removing stains from your teeth. However, when used on plastic aligners, they can rub away the plastic and cause grooves and scratches. This will make your aligners look cloudy.
  • Use Hot Water: While hot water might seem like the best way to kill germs and bacteria from your aligners, it can damage them. The heat can manipulate their shape and enable them not to straighten your teeth effectively. Use lukewarm water when cleaning your aligners.

Visit an Orthodontist Near You

Figuring out how Invisalign aligners work and how to clean them is vital in ensuring that they remain in good condition. The cleaning routine is easy though it may take time before you commit to the steps. Contact us at Ramona Dentistry of Chino if you are ready for a straighter smile with Invisalign in Chino, CA!

Important Aftercare Instructions for Root Canal | Do’s & Don’ts

What is Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal treatment is a procedure that removes infected or damaged tissue from within a tooth. When the pulp, the soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or damaged, the procedure is usually recommended. If the infection or damage is not treated, it can result in an abscess (a pocket of pus) or the tooth dying.

Why Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?

Some of the reasons why you may need a root canal treatment include the following:

  • Tooth Decay: If a tooth has a deep cavity that has reached the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels), a root canal may be needed to remove the infected tissue and save your tooth.
  • Trauma to the Tooth: If a tooth is damaged due to trauma, such as a sports injury or car accident, a root canal may be necessary to remove any damaged tissue and save the tooth.
  • Abscess: A pocket of pus that can form due to an infection in the tooth. If an abscess is not treated promptly, it can cause the tooth to die.

What are the Benefits of Root Canal Treatment?

There are several benefits of getting root canal treatment:

  • Gives Pain Relief: A root canal can help alleviate tooth pain caused by infected or damaged pulp.
  • Saves Tooth: A root canal can help save a tooth that may otherwise need to be extracted, allowing you to maintain your natural teeth and dental function.
  • Prevents Further Damage: If a tooth is infected or damaged, it can lead to further problems, such as an abscess or tooth loss. Improve oral health.
  • Restores Dental Function: A root canal can help restore dental function by allowing you to bite and chew normally without pain.
  • Improves Appearance: A root canal can help improve the appearance of your smile by saving a tooth that may have been damaged or discolored.

What are the Aftercare Tips For Root canal Treatment?

Here are the important aftercare tips for root canal treatment:

=> Do’s

Here are some important aftercare tips for root canal treatment:

  • Take any Prescribed Medications as Directed: It is important to follow the instructions given by our dentist in Chino, CA for taking any prescribed medications, such as pain relievers or antibiotics, to help manage pain and prevent infection.
  • Use an Over-the-counter Pain Reliever: If you are experiencing discomfort after the root canal, you may find relief with over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Avoid Hard or Crunchy Foods: To protect your tooth and allow it to heal properly, it is best to avoid crunchy foods for a few days following the root canal.
  • Keep the Area Clean: Brushing and flossing your teeth, as usual, is important to keep the area clean and prevent infection. Also, use a warm saltwater rinse: Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater can help reduce swelling and rinse away any debris.
  • Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Use: Smoking and tobacco use can slow healing and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, avoiding these activities for at least 24 hours after the root canal is best.
  • Protect the Treated Tooth: Until the permanent crown is placed, it is important to avoid biting or chewing on the treated tooth. This can cause further damage and delay the healing process.

=> Don’ts

Here are some things to avoid after a root canal treatment:

  • Don’t Chew on the Treated Tooth: It is important to avoid biting or chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent crown is placed. This can cause further damage to the tooth and delay the healing process.
  • Don’t Neglect Your Oral Hygiene: It is important to continue brushing and flossing your teeth after a root canal to prevent infection and maintain good oral hygiene.
  • Do not Ignore any Post-procedure Instructions: Be sure to follow the instructions given by our root canal dentist near Chino Hills for aftercare, including taking prescribed medications and avoiding certain activities or foods.
  • Don’t Wait to See a Dentist: If you have any concerns about your root canal treatment or experience any unusual symptoms, such as persistent pain or swelling, it is important to contact our root canal specialist at 91710 as soon as possible.

Visit a Root Canal Dentist Near You

Root canal therapy can treat various dental issues, such as tooth decay, abscesses, and tooth trauma. Furthermore, root canals have a high success rate, with most treated teeth lasting for many years. Are you in search of root canal treatment in Chino, CA? Contact our root canal specialist at Ramona Dentistry of Chino at 91710 to learn everything you need to know before getting one.

What are the Different Techniques & Products for Teeth Whitening?

If you think whiter teeth help improve your smile and appearance, you might not find it surprising that teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure many seek. However, your teeth can discolor for various reasons, such as consuming pigmented foods and drinks, smoking, aging, infections and injuries, et cetera. Therefore, if you think teeth whitening is appropriate for your needs, we suggest you discuss the therapy with your dentist and prefer professional teeth whitening to whiten your teeth.

What is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a therapy provided by qualified dentists with appropriate knowledge of tooth discoloration by using safe and effective ingredients when providing teeth whitening. The treatment is supervised by the dentist, who ensures the soft tissues of your mouth are protected against sensitivity from the ingredients used during the whitening procedure. Most importantly, the treatment delivers instant results, helping you show off your gleaming smile to everyone around you.

Why Consider Professional Teeth Whitening?

Here are the benefits of getting professional teeth whitening from dentists:

  1. Dentists are professionals with knowledge of dental anatomy and detect signs of extrinsic and intrinsic stains on your teeth by examining them.
  2. Professional teeth whitening can eliminate different kinds of stains on your teeth from the surface or the interior parts. Whether you have stains from foods and beverages or smoking and discoloration from infections or injuries affecting the tooth’s interior, the dentist has a remedy to whiten your teeth without causing adverse complications.
  3. Before whitening teeth, dentists examine your teeth and mouth, looking for signs of tooth decay and gum disease that make you ineligible for the whitening, and recommend treating the infections before getting your teeth whitened.
  4. Although dentists charge higher prices to whiten your teeth, they deliver instant results because they use higher concentrations of bleaching ingredients to achieve the goal.
  5. Finally, you also receive a fluoride treatment after getting your teeth whitened to battle against cavities and sensitivity from the therapy.

What are the Latest Methods & Products for Teeth Whitening?

If you think professional teeth whitening is expensive, you can consider some products and techniques to whiten teeth at home, remembering that the results aren’t instant and don’t work against all stains. Here is the list of some techniques and products available for teeth whitening:

1) Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is one technique you can consider to remove surface stains on your teeth. You can find different brands in drugstores and supermarkets containing abrasive agents and chemicals that promote stain removal. You can use whitening toothpaste a couple of times weekly without subjecting your teeth to excessive brushing with abrasive agents. However, you can expect your teeth to lighten one shade at a time without expecting instant results.

2) Whitening Strips

You can consider whitening strips available over the counter because they contain minimal bleaching ingredients that help brighten discolored teeth after applying them to your teeth. You might notice significant changes in the color of your teeth using the strips for two weeks or more. However, if you need faster results, the optimal option is to request at-home whitening trays from the dentist providing teeth whitening, because they create customized trays fitting explicitly over your teeth, like whitening strips that are generic.

3) Whitening Rinses

These products are similar to mouthwash brands and help freshen your breath and reduce dental plaque. Some brands also contain hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. The rinses require swishing in your mouth for 60 seconds before brushing your teeth. Unfortunately, rinses are ineffective because they remain in your mouth for two minutes daily compared to 30 minutes for strips. Therefore if you are in a hurry, you might find it better to visit our cosmetic dentist in 91710 to receive professional teeth whitening.

4) Whitening Deodorants

Recently, many manufacturers have also marketed whitening deodorants claiming they can brighten your teeth instantly after using their products on your teeth. Unfortunately, the claims by the manufacturers are unsubstantiated and will likely not match the results of whitening treatments provided by dentists.

5) Home Remedies

Home remedies like brushing your teeth with activated charcoal, strawberries, and lemon peels and limiting the consumption of colored foods and drinks are also effective in brightening teeth. Besides limiting the consumption of pigmented foods and beverages, the other remedies are unsubstantiated and likely to damage your teeth instead of whitening them.

6) Lemon Peels

Although many proponents of this home remedy swear by its effectiveness, lemon peels are responsible for enamel erosion that makes you susceptible to dental infections and are best avoided for whitening teeth.

7) Activated Charcoal

Blackening your teeth to whiten them is a new remedy promoted by many without scientific evidence to back the claims. However, you might want to consider this technique; we suggest waiting until sufficient evidence is provided that activated charcoal can brighten teeth to improve your smile.

Get Professional Teeth Whitening Near You

The incredible popularity of having brighter teeth show off a beautiful smile encourages many people to consider trying techniques not authenticated or substantiated by scientific evidence. Therefore the better option is to brighten your teeth using the expertise of dentists who provide instant whitening without side effects ensuring the results remain with you between six months to three years if you follow the dentist’s suggestions and care for your teeth appropriately.

We at Ramona Dentistry of Chino provide teeth whitening near Chino Hills, CA to patients advising them on the care they need to provide their teeth after receiving the therapy. If you are considering brightening your teeth, consult our practice to get teeth whitening in Chino, CA with the most effective technique to achieve your goal.

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