6 essential steps to prepare your mouth for your aligner treatment

A healthy mouth is crucial for the success of an orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. Before beginning this treatment, it’s important to optimize your oral health. Here are some practical tips and steps to prepare your mouth for the treatment.

Step 1: Comprehensive dental checkup

Start with a full dental checkup. Your dentist can identify any issues such as cavities, gum inflammation, or other dental conditions that need to be treated first. It’s important to begin with a healthy mouth to maximize the effectiveness of the aligner treatment and prevent complications.

Step 2: Professional teeth cleaning

Have your teeth professionally cleaned. This removes plaque and tartar that you can’t remove with regular brushing and flossing. Professional cleaning also helps address any early gum problems, like gingivitis, that can worsen during aligner treatment.

Step 3: Improve your daily oral hygiene

Ensure good daily oral hygiene. Brush thoroughly twice a day and use floss or interdental brushes daily to clean the spaces between your teeth. Consider using a mouthwash to further enhance your oral hygiene.

Step 4: Adjust your diet

Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Sugary and acidic foods and drinks can promote tooth decay and erosion. Avoid these as much as possible and choose foods rich in calcium and phosphate, like milk and cheese, which help strengthen your tooth enamel.

Step 5: Quit smoking

If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking can lead to gum problems and slows the healing process in your mouth, both of which can negatively affect your orthodontic treatment.