You may be excited to have started your Invisalign journey toward straighter teeth. These removable aligners are convenient in letting you still enjoy all your favorite foods without worrying about breaking any wires or brackets. But when it’s time to eat, what if you have a little trouble taking them out? Here are four easy tips that can help you remove your Invisalign trays.
1.) Use a Towel or Glove
The saliva in your mouth could make it a bit harder for you to get a good grip on your aligners. Instead of fighting against slippery plastic, wrap a towel around your finger or put on a glove. These can help either absorb some of the moisture or allow for greater friction to let you take out your Invisalign more easily.
2.) Warm Up Your Mouth
If you have just enjoyed a nice cool glass of water to help ease some aligner discomfort, you may find that removing them is a bit hard right after. The cold, refreshing drink can make the trays less flexible. Instead, you can slightly raise the temperature of your mouth by breathing out some hot air or drinking some lukewarm water.
3.) Pull From Your Back Teeth
It may be more difficult to remove your aligners if you are trying to budge them from the front. Switch it up by starting from your back teeth. After washing your hands, use your fingertip to gently pull at the Invisalign trays from your back molars. Do this on both sides until you feel it become loose, and then remove the whole tray!
4.) Use an Aligner Hook
There’s a handy tool that many people use to help take out their Invisalign called aligner hooks. As you can probably imagine, these are thin plastic hooks with a ring at the end that you put your finger into. It helps give you a more solid grip against your trays, letting you remove them easily! Some popular brands are Pul Tool or Orthokey, which you may be able to find in your local department store or online.
Taking out your Invisalign may be tricky for some people, so try following these tips and find one that works for you! If you are still having some issues removing them comfortably, you can always call your dentist, and they can help you find a solution.
About the Author
Dr. Gabrielle Dizon earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry. She is dedicated to giving the Dallas community the highest-quality care that they deserve. By offering Invisalign, Dizon can help you get the straighter smile you want with trays that fit into your lifestyle. In the end, you will have results that help you be more confident in showing off your pearly whites. If you are having trouble removing your clear aligners, schedule an appointment or call (214) 646-6202.