Many patients choose Invisalign over traditional braces because the transparent trays are considered more comfortable and discreet. Not only does your natural smile shine through, but the smooth plastic won’t gouge the tender tissues inside your mouth.
Plus, clear aligners are removable so there are no dietary restrictions to worry about. However, because they’re designed to fit like a glove, you might struggle to take them out of your mouth for meal or cleanings. Continue reading to learn 3 helpful tips that can help!
Tip #1: Dry Your Mouth
Have you ever tried opening a jar with wet hands? It can be incredibly difficult to grasp the lid tightly enough to pry it off when your fingers are slipper. Sometimes, removing Invisalign can be challenging for the same reason. It remains in your mouth for 20 to 22 hours daily, so it might feel wet, slimy, or difficult to grab.
Many patients overcome this by opening their mouth for a few seconds to allow it to dry slightly before grasping their trays. It also help to have dry fingers, so you might want to wipe them on a clean towel first.
Tip #2: Start in the Back
Invisalign is intended to fit snugly over your teeth to gently shift them and tend to snap into place when you insert them. You might think the most effective way to remove them is to start at the front, but because it is still tightly anchored over your molars, it might not budge.
It might help to try to start in the back of your mouth, instead. Position your fingertip just inside of your farthest molar and gently pull the plastic away from your teeth to break the seal. Then, slowly work your way around your arch until the tray comes free.
Tip #3: Improve Your Grip
If you’re still struggling to remove your Invisalign, you might need to a little extra help to strengthen your grasp on the plastic material. Often, placing a thick paper towel or rubber gloves can provide enough traction to grab hold of the tray to release it.
You might also try using an aligner hook, which is a special instrument that looks like a crochet hook but is intended to help extract the clear trays. However, please be careful not to cut your gums or scratch your enamel in the process.
One of these methods might be just what you need to get the hang of removing and reinserting your Invisalign, but if you’re still struggling, you can call your dentist for help. They may need to examine your mouth to ensure your trays are fitting as intended.
About the Practice
Patients at Frandsen Dental of Grantsville benefit from a team of dentists dedicated to helping families build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Frandsen, Dr. Danise, and Dr. Cluff share decades of combined experience and provide a comprehensive menu of services under one roof, including Invisalign. Their compassionate approach is combined with advanced technology to provide comfortable, accurate treatments tailored to your unique needs. You can request an appointment on the website or call (435) 884-3002.