Feeling tightness or slight discomfort while wearing Invisalign is normal, but having an improper fit on your clear aligners will not help you straighten your teeth. If your Invisalign doesn’t fit or feels slightly off, there are some steps you can take to improve the tracking of your Invisalign.

Bailey Orthodontics is here to help you with any questions you have about braces, Invisalign, or other issues with your teeth. If your Invisalign doesn’t fit, give our office a call and we would be happy to help.

What Is Tracking?

Tracking is a clinical term used to describe the fit of your clear aligners or Invisalign against your teeth. When there are gaps between your teeth and your aligners, this means that they are not tracking and your teeth will not shift properly. If your aligners are not seated properly over your teeth, there are simple steps you can take to fix them.

1- Minimize The Gap With A Bite Stick

If you visit an orthodontist regularly for your Invisalign, you will have been given or have access to a bite stick or chewies. These tools help you have something to bite down on and slowly force your aligners to fit snugly against your teeth. These bite sticks or chewies can be bitten down on in 5-15 minute increments, several times per day until your aligner seats properly.

2- Check That Your Aligner Isn’t Broken

Another common reason that your Invisalign doesn’t fit or feels uncomfortable to wear properly is that it is cracked or otherwise broken. If there are splits or cracks in your Invisalign, this can cause them to become misaligned. If you find damage, talk to your orthodontist immediately to help refit your trays or see where you may be on your straightening journey.

3- Wear Your Invisalign As Directed

It is recommended that you wear your Invisalign for at least 20 hours a day to see changes in your teeth. Wearing your Invisalign properly also helps them to stay fit to your teeth even between different sets of trays. If your Invisalign doesn’t fit, think about how frequently you have been wearing them. The culprit could be that you are not wearing your aligners enough to get the desired movement before moving on to your next set of trays. 

4- Try Back Tracking

If you have recently switched to a new set of trays that are not fitting well on your teeth, despite your set timeline, your teeth may not be ready to move on to the next phase. Backtracking in Invisalign just means that you go back to your previous set of trays until your teeth fit into the new ones. 

This may seem like you are not making progress, but your teeth often move slowly and have resistance to Invisalign. If your new Invisalign doesn’t fit, or you think your new set of trays is too much for your teeth to handle, talk to your orthodontist about backtracking. 

Why Are My Teeth Taking Longer To Shift?

Everyone’s teeth are different. Your teeth may take longer to adjust or you may have a stubborn tooth that may be taking longer to move than expected, but this does not necessarily mean that your Invisalign isn’t working. Some Invisalign cases are more complex than others and your aligners may take some time to slowly move your teeth into the right position. Be patient with the process, but feel free to reach out to your orthodontist with any concerns you may have along the way.

Try Invisalign With Bailey Orthodontics

Working with our team at Bailey Orthodontics will help you have the best smile possible. Our orthodontists work to provide you with clinical advice and help you determine what alignment option is best for you. We offer Invisalign for ages 7 and up, braces for all ages, two-phase orthodontics, and more to ensure that everyone will have the best oral health and beautiful results from their smile journey.

What sets us apart from other orthodontic offices is our approach to helping our patients feel safe and heard while seeking care with us. We offer our 7 and up kids club, have friendly staff, and our office support dog, Ralphie. We have also been voted as Best Of Northern Utah 2022 and are proud to serve our growing community. Learn more about what we have to offer by reaching out to us by phone or email!

Patients who travel away from their orthodontist for the holidays need to know how to protect their braces from damage and breakage. Dealing with orthodontic problems during the holidays can be annoying, and painful and set patients back on their path of orthodontic treatment. Eating sticky foods, avoiding safety measures, and forgetting to floss can lead you to an extra visit to the orthodontist after the holidays are over. Bailey Orthodontics wants to provide our patients with tips to deal with orthodontic problems during the holidays. 

Stubborn Poking Wires

Even if you are careful, wires can still become detached and poke your cheeks or gums. Poking wires can make it difficult to eat or talk but can be dealt with when you return and orthodontists are in the office. If the wire poking is too severe and uncomfortable, you may be able to alleviate the pain by placing orthodontic wax over the area that is poking. 

You may also be able to use a pair of tweezers to maneuver the wire back into place or the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire away from the cheek or gum where it is poking.  If you cannot get the wire back into the proper place and orthodontic wax isn’t helping with the pain you can use a pair of sterilized fingernail clippers and clip off the loose area of the wire. This should only be done as a last resort and you should still call your orthodontist after the holidays to have them replace the clipped wire.

Even over the holidays, some offices will be open and can walk you through a temporary fix for orthodontic problems during the holidays until you can be seen. 

Broken Brackets

Eating holiday foods that are hard, sticky, or crunchy can cause your brackets to snap or pop off. Dealing with broken brackets during the holidays can make eating difficult and needs to be remedied by an orthodontist. Some offices may have emergency openings that they can fit you into if need be. Fixing brackets can be a simple appointment for you if your braces have been cared for properly. 

When a bracket pops off, if it is not causing you immense pain, you can wait to get into your orthodontist. Make sure to hang onto the bracket and don’t lose it so that it can be reattached at your next visit. Patients can also apply wax to sharp edges or parts that may cause pain. 

How Best To Avoid Broken Parts

During the holiday many foods are tough for braces. If you eat too many sticky foods, you could find yourself with multiple broken brackets. Some specific foods you should avoid during the holidays are: 

• Caramel Popcorn
• Large Vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli)
• Pretzels
• Nuts
• Corn on the Cob
• Fudge
• Pecan Pie

You can eat soft versions of these foods or swap large fruits or vegetables for ones that are chopped up in smaller pieces. Many Thanksgiving and Christmas foods are softer, including mashed potatoes, cheese balls, green beans, oranges and other seasonal fruits, soft cookies, and pie. Eating the right foods will save you from orthodontic problems during the holidays. Going to a family member’s house for a holiday meal? Ask the host to adjust your plate, or ensure that there are braces-friendly options available for you.

Caring For Braces And Teeth During The Holidays

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Proper flossing in between brackets, wires, and teeth will help keep your teeth from white spots and cavities. Brushing twice a day removes build-up and helps your teeth stay sparkly while preventing other oral decay. 

Flossing often gets overlooked during busy times but it can be detrimental to those with braces. Flossing picks, water picks, or waxed floss can make the process of flossing easier to maneuver around your hardware. No matter what hardware or brackets you have, flossing and cleaning around the tiny squares will help you have healthy teeth. 

If you want to avoid multiple dental or orthodontic visits, the best course of action is to clean your teeth. Proper toothpaste, flossing practices, and mouthwash will help you make your cleaning routine easier and avoid orthodontic problems during the holidays.

Orthodontic Problems During The Holidays With Bailey Orthodontics

Bailey Orthodontics is the top orthodontist for your braces or Invisalign. Each patient that comes into our office will feel welcomed and comfortable. Dr. Bailey helps to improve the smiles of patients of all ages and can help fix any damage to your braces. 

During the holidays, our offices may not be open but we can help accommodate certain emergencies. Follow the above tips to deal with orthodontic problems during the holidays before calling our office. If you want to take charge of your health, improve your confidence, and have a bright smile, contact our office today!

When seeking orthodontic treatment, many orthodontists talk about the risk of having white or discolored spots left on the teeth after the brackets are removed. Orthodontic patients should be concerned about keeping their teeth and braces clean, but there are steps you can take to prevent white spots from braces. Bailey Orthodontics can help you know all about your orthodontic treatment, what procedures you need, and the best practices to protect your teeth. 

What Causes These White Spots?

The basis for these white spots is the decalcification of the teeth. Decalcification comes from a buildup of bacteria on the teeth that have sat for a long time. It often occurs around brackets because they can be hard to clean properly. Damaging the enamel around the bracket will create little spots that have been untouched by plaque and bacteria, making them look whiter than the rest of your teeth. 

Eating or drinking sugary foods, avoiding flossing, not brushing properly or genetics can amplify the effects of decalcification and cause those with braces to develop white spots from braces. 

Ways To Prevent White Spots From Braces

There are a few ways that patients can work to prevent white spots from braces. Investing a lot of money into your new smile means you hope your new smile will also be white and bright, not splotchy. The best way to ensure that you don’t have discoloration, follow these basic steps. 

Good Brushing Habits- The easiest way to take care of your teeth is to brush your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing will help remove plaque from the surface and tips of your teeth. Those with braces can help stop white spots from braces by brushing them after they eat. This will stop bacteria in its tracks and help you prevent too much discoloration around your brackets and wires.  It is important to brush all surfaces of the teeth, especially up to the gums.

Flossing Every Day- Flossing in between your teeth and all your hardware can be tricky, but it will help remove food particles from setting on your teeth for too long. Flossing will help you remove buildup in the small spaces around your brackets and limit squares and spots from forming on your teeth. 

Limit Acidic Foods- Acidic foods can cause decalcification to speed up in your mouth. Avoiding sodas, coffee, lemons, sour candies, vinegar-based foods, etc. can help prevent white spots from braces. These foods can be hard on your enamel and yellow your teeth even after your braces are removed, so keep these acidic foods to a minimum.

How To Fix White Spots

For those who have recently had their braces removed and found white spots on their teeth, there are some methods you can try to improve the enamel on your teeth. These methods may not be 100% effective, but they can help rebuild enamel and limit the drastic colors on your teeth. 

Use A Fluoride Toothpaste- Fluoride helps to repair tooth enamel, so this is the first step to helping improve white spots from braces. A fluoride toothpaste will strengthen your teeth and can be used while wearing your braces, or after. Mouthwashes with fluorides can also help. 

Remineralize Your Teeth- Adding the diminished minerals back to your teeth will help repair white spots. Remineralizing agents can be done by your dentist or at home. 

Ask About Microabrasion- If your enamel is still strong and you have enough of it, dentists may be able to buff out some of the white spots from braces. A light polish of the teeth will help to make the spots less noticeable. 

Bailey Orthodontics

We strive to treat our patients with the utmost respect and help them feel comfortable. We offer our 7 and Up Kids Club, and our office support dog to help all patients feel comfortable in our office. When you work with Bailey Orthodontics you will get great orthodontic care at an affordable price and receive amazing results. 

Whether you are coming to our office for braces, retainers, or other orthodontic procedures, we have orthodontists and dental assistants that are here to help. We only perform treatments and procedures that are necessary for our patients. Contact our office for a consultation and start a lifetime of happy smiles today!