Getting started with Invisalign treatment is an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile, and a few simple habits can make your Invisalign experience smoother, faster, and more comfortable. Whether you’re a teen beginning Invisalign First, a parent navigating treatment for the first time, or an adult curious about how the process works, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure your experience stays smooth. These 5 essential tips for new Invisalign patients from Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will keep your aligners in great shape, help you avoid delays, and get the most out of treatment.
Invisalign vs Braces
When you think of straightening your smile, traditional braces are likely what you envision. Shiny metal brackets (or modern clear brackets), wires cutting the landscape of your teeth, and colorful rubber bands all working together to move your teeth into a perfect alignment. Always effective and always stylish, braces are an unstoppable force in the orthodontic industry.
Invisalign treatment is very similar to metal braces and clear braces in the sense that they also use gentle force to push and pull teeth to where they need to be. The difference? Invisalign uses clear aligners instead of brackets and wires.
Aligners are removable and custom-made for efficiency and comfort. They’re also transparent for low visibility, so most people won’t even notice them in your mouth.
At Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we also offer Invisalign for adults, Invisalign for Teens, and Invisalign First for kids. Each line of Invisalign aligners has been designed with their patients in mind. We’re proud to provide Citrus Heights, CA, with this orthodontic treatment option.
But just like braces, aligners come with some important rules. What you do (and don’t do) during treatment can affect your progress, your experience, and even your final results. That’s why we’re sharing five essential tips every Invisalign patient should know before they snap in that first tray.
#1: Clean Your Aligners & Maintain Oral Health
Okay, tip one is kind of a two-in-one, but they’re both dependent on the other. You can’t have clean aligners without a clean mouth, and a clean mouth won’t stay that way if your aligners aren’t taken care of, too.
Since Invisalign aligners sit snugly against your teeth for the majority of the day, anything stuck inside, like food, plaque, or bacteria, gets trapped there. That creates the perfect environment for bad breath, enamel stains, irritated gums, and even cavities. Especially for Invisalign First kids who are still getting the hang of brushing and flossing, skipping this step can set their oral health back quickly.
Fortunately, keeping everything clean isn’t complicated. Here’s how to do it right:
- Brush your aligners gently with a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap. Avoid toothpaste; it can scratch the trays and make them look cloudy.
- Rinse them with lukewarm water every time you take them out. Hot water can warp the plastic, and cold water alone won’t remove buildup.
- Never eat or drink anything other than water while wearing your aligners. Sugar and food particles pressed against your teeth for hours can accelerate decay.
- Brush and floss your teeth after every meal before putting your trays back in.
- Continue going to the dentist during treatment. Though you will see your Citrus Heights orthodontist regularly, you should still visit your dentist or pediatric dentist. At dental checkups, a dental hygienist will clean, x-ray, and photograph your mouth. After, your dentist will examine your mouth for causes of concern and provide a treatment plan if necessary. Attending your dental checkups is crucial to preventing and treating oral health problems before they can cause permanent damage to your smile.
Following these habits keeps your aligners crystal-clear and your mouth healthy, and that means better results from your Invisalign treatment in Citrus Heights.
Quick pro tip for busy days around Citrus Heights: stash a travel brush in your bag or car so you can brush and pop trays back in after lunch on the go.
#2: Remember Case Or Face
This tip is so important, we made it rhyme for easy memorization! Case or face!
What’s it mean? If your aligners aren’t in your mouth, they belong in their case.
Why? Leaving them wrapped in a napkin or tossed on a lunch tray is the fastest way to accidentally throw them away. Storing them loose in a backpack or pocket, or just placing them out in the open with no protection, invites breakage, germs, or both.
Lost or damaged aligners can delay your progress and, in some cases, cost extra to replace. It’s best to just remember case or face!
School days at San Juan Unified or weekend stops near Sunrise/Greenback get hectic—keeping a labeled case in your backpack or purse prevents the classic “wrapped in a napkin” loss.
#3: Stay On Schedule With Invisalign Treatment
Each aligner is custom-designed to build on the last. Your trays were made to move your teeth in a specific sequence, at a specific pace, based on detailed scans and planning. It’s a 100% personalized treatment plan!
After seeing your predicted final look on our digital scanner, you might feel enticed to speed the process up to get your new smile sooner rather than later, but wearing each tray for the correct number of days matters. A lot. Switching early or skipping ahead a tray or two won’t make treatment go faster. In fact, it’ll likely just slow it down. You also risk damaging one of your custom trays by trying to force them on when it’s not time for them. Waiting on a replacement, or having to modify your treatment plan to adjust for going off-course, isn’t on your 2025 bingo card, so try to stick to the plan our team has created for you!
We recommend using a calendar reminder, the Invisalign app, or whatever system that works for you. A simple system can make treatment feel less like a chore and increase your likelihood of completing treatment on time.
Set a reminder in the Invisalign app and switch trays before bed; most Citrus Heights patients find overnight changes feel easier and keep them on track.
#4: Keep Your Old Aligners
When you move on to your next set of aligners, don’t toss the old ones.
If something happens to your current trays, your last set can serve as a backup to maintain your progress while we figure out the next steps. Store them somewhere safe when you’re done with them. This small habit can prevent big headaches in inconvenient scenarios.
If a tray goes missing between practices or errands, slipping in last week’s set protects your progress until we advise next steps.
#5: Actually Wear Them
This tip sounds obvious, but it’s the most important: wear your aligners.
That means 20–22 hours a day, every day. Take them out only to eat, drink (unless it’s water), and brush or floss. That’s it.
The trays only work when they’re in your mouth. Skipping hours here and there adds up, and the result is usually tight trays, slower progress, and more time with your orthodontist in Citrus Heights.
Aim for 20–22 hours/day—most delays happen from a few “forgotten” hours here and there during after-school activities around Citrus Heights.
Bonus Tip: Start Invisalign Treatment With Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Choosing Invisalign is just the first step. Choosing the right orthodontic team is what makes the difference. Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics supports you every step of the way, from that first tray to your final retainer. If you’re ready to begin Invisalign treatment for yourself, your child, or your teen in Citrus Heights, we’re ready to make the process smooth, supportive, and centered around your goals.
Choosing Invisalign is step one—choosing a local team that makes it easy is what gets you to the finish line. At Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Citrus Heights, we support you from first scan to final retainer with clear instructions, flexible scheduling, and friendly check-ins. Ready to start? Call (916) 962-0577 or visit us at 7916 Pebble Beach Dr., Suite 101, Citrus Heights, CA 95610 to schedule your free orthodontic consult. We’re convenient for families in Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Antelope, and Roseville.
Love your smile sooner rather than later. Contact us to schedule your free orthodontic consultation in Citrus Heights, CA, today.