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Health

How Effective are Removable Braces?

A great smile can work  wonders for your appearance, charisma, and confidence. This is why it’s so important to have great oral health, which, in turn, is affected by a number of different factors. The overall look of your smile is a combination of different components, and to have a great smile, you need to think about the size, shape, color, and of course, alignment of your teeth. This is where removable braces come in.

When it comes to teeth alignment, there are numerous options available on the Philippine market. From traditional braces to space-age plastic aligners, these methods all vary in technique, ease of use, price range, and effectiveness. However, there are very few that are as effective, convenient, discreet, and time-efficient as removable braces. 

What are removable braces?

Out of the most common types of braces, removable braces are the most unique, as they are not fixed orthodontic gear and are typically much easier to manage throughout your treatment. They require fewer and less frequent dental visits, and for many cases, a shorter treatment period to achieve that beautiful smile. While they are more expensive than other teeth alignment methods, for many patients, the results they create are more than worth the expense.

In principle, removable braces function similarly to other methods of teeth alignment with a few key differences that set them apart. Removable braces are a set of clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth and are custom-made to fit you. These trays apply constant pressure to your teeth, moving them slowly and gently into their optimal positions. 

As your treatment progresses, your dental provider will prescribe you new sets of aligners to periodically realign your teeth as they move. This brings you closer and closer to your most ideal smile. Because removable braces apply pressure all throughout your teeth, having your teeth aligned using them often takes much faster than traditional metal braces. 

What are the advantages of removable braces?

As the newest, most innovative method of teeth alignment available on the Philippine market today, removable braces have several advantages that make them a more appealing option. removable braces prices might vary from case to case, but it’s a worthwhile investment when considering the difference it can make on your life and your smile. The advantages of removable braces include the following:

  • They are nearly invisible. – Because they are made of clear plastic trays rather than opaque metal or ceramic, removable braces are significantly less conspicuous than any other option. This means you’ll be able to keep your pristine look, with no distracting metal bits in your mouth, all throughout your treatment.

  • They are removable. – Apart from being inconspicuous, removable braces are also less intrusive on your lifestyle. Unlike metal braces, you can (and should!) remove them when eating or drinking, which also means that you don’t have any food and diet restrictions while being treated. 

  • They require a shorter period of treatment. – With proper compliance to the treatment, removable braces often work quickly to align your teeth. They also require less frequent visits to your dentist, unlike the regular visits and adjustments required by other alignment methods.

  • They reduce the risk of oral hygiene problems during treatment. – Being able to remove your aligners means it’s much easier to perform your oral hygiene routine, giving you the ability to regularly brush and floss with ease. Unlike fixed orthodontic gear such as metal or ceramic braces, removable braces give you the liberty of taking out your aligners as needed, meaning you don’t have to work around them to maintain your oral hygiene. This minimizes the risk of your teeth suffering as a result of your treatment. 

  • They are easy to clean. – Apart from making it easier to clean your teeth, removable braces are easy to clean themselves. Regular cleaning of your removable braces also contributes to healthy oral hygiene.

Woman holding removable braces

Which teeth conditions can removable braces fix?

Removable braces are just as, if not more effective than more traditional braces designs. They can repair almost every common tooth misalignment issue, including:

  • Open Bite – In this tooth misalignment condition, the patient’s incisors, or front teeth, do not meet, leaving a gap between them. In severe cases of open bite, even the teeth beside the incisors, referred to as the canines, fail to meet as well.

  • Tooth crowding – Also known as crooked teeth, this condition causes teeth to rub and bump into one another due to insufficient space in the mouth. This may happen once a patient’s third molars, popularly known as “wisdom teeth”, come in.  This condition often creates crannies and food traps, making teeth difficult to clean and more hospitable to cavity-causing bacteria.

  • Diastema – The opposite of tooth crowding. Diastema is a condition wherein large, visible gaps occur between the teeth. If left untreated, the gaps may trap food particles and encourage bacterial growth, resulting in poor oral hygiene, cavities, and a host of other dental issues.

  • Crossbite – A misalignment of the teeth wherein the upper teeth sit behind the lower ones. This condition can be inconvenient and bothersome and can result in frequent biting of the cheeks and lips.

How often do you need to wear removable braces?

For best results, we recommend that you wear your ALINA aligners for at least 22 hours a day. Whenever you visit your dentist, they will usually check up on your progress until you are ready to move on to the next set of aligners until your treatment plan is successfully completed. 

Where can you get removable braces?

While there are a few options for removable braces in the Philippines, the best providers of them will consider your case as unique and treat you as such: with care and expertise. With ALINA, dentists will not only consider your teeth but also your facial structure and how best to align your teeth in a way that will uncover your most beautiful smile. To learn more about our unique and innovative approach towards teeth alignment, take a look at our How ALINA Works page.

Conclusion

A great smile can work wonders for your appearance and charisma, and it all starts with great teeth. Having pearly whites that align perfectly will improve your confidence, giving you the boost you need to take on the world. Begin your journey to a better smile and book a consult with ALINA today.

Categories
Health

How to Keep Your Mouth Fresh When Using Invisible Aligners

You might have experienced waking up with a dry mouth and bad breath after wearing your invisible aligners all night. This is mainly because your mouth is irritated by the presence of a foreign object, causing it to produce less saliva which is your mouth’s defense against bacteria.

 While this does not happen to all patients, it can still be a hassle, especially for first-timers. Dryness in the mouth and the self-consciousness that comes with having what might be bad breath can make wearing aligners difficult for the prescribed 20 or more hours. 

 If you are worried that this can affect your overall teeth alignment treatment using invisible aligners, you can relax a bit. These conditions are totally manageable and a few common-sense steps will allow you to uncover your smile in the way that you want to.

 Keep reading to learn effective ways to manage dry mouth and bad breath and make your experience with aligners more pleasant and enjoyable.

 

What Causes Invisible Aligners Dry Mouth?

 

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common side effect experienced by people who wear any type of orthodontic appliance, including invisible aligners. These orthodontic treatments are unnatural for the body, so when wearing them, the body’s initial reaction is to reduce the production of saliva in the mouth.

 When you wear your aligner, your mouth will feel drier than normal which eventually leads to irritation and gum-swelling. You might also notice that you feel more parched and dehydrated while wearing your aligners.

 Persistent dry mouth can also cause a number of other inconveniences, including difficulty in chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Additionally, it can put your overall oral health at higher risk for more serious conditions like tooth decay or infection.

 

Why Does Invisible Aligners Cause Bad Breath?

Another possible unwanted side effect of wearing your aligners is bad breath or halitosis. Some people might think that this is because of the material of the aligners themselves, which is plastic, or because you have to keep the aligner tray in your mouth for at least 20 hours. However, those are not the direct causes of bad breath.

There can be many reasons why you have bad breath, just as there are many sources of bacteria in your mouth. Some causes can be minor, like eating certain foods that are notorious for causing bad breath, such as onions or garlic. On the other hand, bad breath could be caused by serious conditions like odor-causing bacteria in your tongue, periodontal diseases, or even respiratory conditions. 

But in most cases, for invisible aligners users, bad breath is caused by the aforementioned dry mouth. One of the functions of saliva is to rinse the mouth out and remove excess bacteria in it. Because the mouth produces less saliva when wearing an aligner, it becomes much more hospitable to bacteria. The bacterial build-up in the mouth causes the foul smell and might even lead to more serious oral health complications down the road. 

 

happy Asian woman with clear aligner thumbs up

How to Avoid Invisible Aligners Dry Mouth and Bad Breath

 

While a dry mouth and bad breath are common side effects, take note that they are totally manageable. Now that you know what’s causing them, let’s take a look at some good practices to keep their impact to a minimum.

  1.     Drink lots of water

Of course, hydration is key. Even if you have made it a habit to drink plenty of water prior to wearing invisible aligners, you might find yourself drinking more water than usual. Staying hydrated will help maintain a steady saliva flow. We recommend having a water bottle with you at all times, so you won’t have to deal with  dryness in the mouth so much.

  1.     Practice good overall oral hygiene

In general, it’s a good idea for everyone to always practice proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth, ideally after every meal. Remember that food particles tend to embed themselves in the nooks and crannies of the teeth. This can cause many different oral health issues, so make sure to brush and floss thoroughly to keep your overall oral health at its best. Also, do not leave out your tongue from brushing as bacteria tends to  multiply there as  well.  

  1.     Always keep your aligners clean

One important thing that can keep these unpleasant experiences to a minimum is to keep them clean, alllthe time. Bacteria thrive in unhygienic environments, so to prevent your aligners from becoming a hospitable environment for bacterial, be sure to clean them as much as possible. Clean them after meals with lukewarm water (but not hot water, please!) and recommended cleaning materials. Also, avoid eating or drinking anything except water while they are in your mouth.

  1.     Avoid tobacco or caffeine 

You may want to consider eliminating tobacco and caffeine from your routine, as both can contribute greatly to dry mouth or bad breath, especially when wearing invisible aligners. This goes for all types of tobacco (cigarettes, hookah, chewing tobacco, etc.). For coffee lovers, you might want to switch to decaffeinated coffee or tea while you have your aligners. Instead, consider healthy energy-boosting snacks like bananas or whole grains.

  1.     Mouthwash can help

To refresh your mouth and give it a clean, minty feeling, try to include mouthwash in your daily oral hygiene routine. Persistent dry mouth can also be solved with mouthwashes specifically formulated for this condition.

 

Getting aligners? Get it from the best

 

Interested in finding out how ALINA works? Here’s what you need to know. 

ALINA aligners not only allow you to create your most beautiful smile. With our AlinaSmile technology, we analyze your entire face to gently and effectively move your teeth into their optimal positions.  With 30 years of expertise in cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry, ALINA aligners will give you the best experience, and at invisible aligners prices that will provide exceptional value. Simply book a consult now and get to talk to our dental professionals to see if invisible aligners are the best treatment for your teeth. To know more, contact us directly at 0917-626-5348.