Can You Wear Aligners While Swimming?
When searching for a beautiful, perfectly aligned smile, orthodontics near you is what you need. Orthodontic treatment corrects wide-gapped or crooked teeth, dental crowding, and bad bites. The dental expert may recommend traditional braces or clear aligners. The choice of aligners depends on the severity of your misalignment. Read on to learn about clear aligners.
What Are Clear Aligners?
They are a virtually invisible type of orthodontic treatment that corrects misalignment issues. Clear aligners are made of special plastic material. The dentist customizes them for each patient using 3-Dimensional images of their teeth. This fabrication process of clear aligners is computerized.
Your dentist will transfer the image of your teeth and gums to a dental lab. They will be analyzed and then used to customize a suitable treatment plan. The computer system will design trays to be used progressively at different stages of treatment. You will know the estimated treatment time and what to expect since the system predicts it.
They are worn over teeth for several months to move teeth slowly and gently into their proper position. The number of aligner trays used depends on the malocclusion. Orthodontics in Phoenix using clear aligners requires the patient to wear the trays for 20- 22 hours daily. You should remove them while eating, drinking hot or colored drinks, and cleaning.
Taking them out for longer periods interferes with the aligning process. The dentist may require you to start treatment again, which is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, your dentist will schedule follow-up visits during your treatment. They make sure that the teeth move as per the treatment plan. Once you complete treatment, you will receive customized retainers. They prevent teeth from drifting back.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clear Aligners
Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with clear aligners have some of the questions below.
- Can I swim while wearing my aligners?
Yes, you can wear your aligners while swimming. If you love water sports such as swimming, you may want to know the effects of the water on your aligners. Although the water may contain chemicals like chlorine or salt, they cannot damage your clear braces. Also, the aligners are customized for a snug fit over your teeth and will not fall out easily.
- Can I play watersports with my aligners?
Yes, you can keep your aligners in when participating in water sports. However, if the sporting activities pose the risk of dental trauma, a dentist will recommend wearing mouthguards. Individuals involved in sports like water polo can get mouthguards to wear over their aligners. So, you can participate in water sports during orthodontics in Phoenix, AZ.
- What can I do if I lose my aligners while swimming?
Sometimes, you may fiddle with your aligners while swimming and knock them out of your mouth. The first thing you should do when this happens is to let your dentist know. This expert will ask you to go for a consultation. They will fit you with aligners similar to the lost one. Therefore, you will continue with the treatment accordingly.
If you cannot visit the dentist right away, wear your last set of aligners until you can get new ones. Skip ahead to the next tray in the series if these are too tight or uncomfortable. Let your dentist know of the changes so they can advise you accordingly.
- Can I leave my aligners out and then extend the treatment time?
You want to relax and have as much fun as possible when on holiday. Therefore, wearing your aligners for the required time may be a problem. In addition, you may have to remove them severally to enjoy the exotic foods that may stain them or your glass of wine or beer.
However, you cannot forego wearing your aligners for a certain period and then let the treatment continue for longer. This is because your teeth can drift back to their former positions interfering with treatment. The next set of aligners may not fit or work as required once you resume wearing them. As a result, you may have to restart treatment.
Contact us at uSmile orthodontics to straighten your smile with clear aligners. Our dental team offers treatment with various clear aligner types such as Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®.