A common query with a clear aligner treatment procedure that we come across almost every day. Several people want to know why they can’t bite them down or eat with them. Though it may be tempting to bite your aligners into position, try to avoid this as much as possible. Biting down on the aligners can cause damage and lessen its long-term effectiveness.
Clear Teeth Aligners have quite transformed the overall orthodontic market in recent years. Aligners work like invisible braces that are meant to straighten teeth and repair dental flaws, such as gapped, crowded or crooked teeth. These ultra-modern orthodontic devices are very useful in repositioning and straightening teeth with minimal impact on the patient’s everyday life.
Clear aligners are customized to have a snug fit around the patient’s dental structures and are designed to be invisible and can be removed during use, unlike their metal counterparts. They work by exerting gentle pressure and minimal shift to gradually straighten teeth with time. In some cases, tooth-coloured attachments may be applied to the teeth to anchor the aligners and facilitate the tooth alignment process.
These twenty-first-century orthodontic solutions offer several benefits to consumers.
- Aligners help you achieve straighter, beautifully aligned teeth.
- Aligners can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing, making oral hygiene easier compared to traditional braces.
- Aligners are a pretty good solution for improving the function and appearance of your teeth and gums.
- They are virtually invisible compared to metal braces.
- No risk of sharp wires or brackets irritating your mouth.
- Treatment time is faster than with traditional braces.
Can you Bite on Aligners?
Clear aligners are made of medical-grade thin plastic. The specially engineered material is BPA-free and precisely fits your unique smile. The special material makes clear aligners more comfortable and easy to put on and take off. However, the material is somewhat fragile and meant to last temporarily. So, care must be taken when placing and using aligners.
Remember, never force the aligners to bite down on them to fit them into place. Doing so can damage them and require a replacement. Sometimes, it’s tempting to bite down before the aligners are fully seated in place but resist the temptation. It can damage your aligners.
The Risks of Biting or Chewing on Aligners
- Potential for aligner damage or breakage– your aligners are strong enough to move your teeth but the material is not strong enough to resist biting or chewing. It may cause damage or breakage of your product.
- Compromised treatment progress and effectiveness– If your aligners become damaged after biting or chewing it can compromise your treatment period and progress.
- Increased risk of tooth discomfort or injury– Sometimes you may not notice the cracks biting or chewing can cause your aligners and make them unaligned. Unaligned aligners may cause discomfort or even cause tooth injury.
Expert Recommendations for Proper Aligner Usage
Never compromise on usage
From the very first day of your treatment with clear aligners, you should remember to wear them for at least 20-22 hours. This rule has to be followed for the best teeth straightening experience and the most timely output. Otherwise, there might be a delay that counters your aspiring result.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene
Taking extremely good care of your oral health is vital to experience a positive output from this orthodontic treatment. Brush, floss, and use mouthwash every day to maintain proper oral health.
Maintaining aligner hygiene
Similarly, take extremely good care of your clear aligners. The key to a successful and timely result vastly depends on the maintenance and care you are providing to your aligner trays.
Always remove at the time of eating
Remember to remove your aligners before eating anything is the first step for aligner safety. A light snack, such as a sandwich, can even cause concern for your clear aligners, especially regarding the potential risk of trapping food particles.
Never take orthodontic advice for granted
Abiding by your orthodontist is the safest habit you can adopt during the treatment period with your clear aligners. Visit your orthodontist for the scheduled check-up sessions, and never miss any session. Proper monitoring by your dental experts is essential for a successful treatment procedure.
Tips for Preventing Accidental Aligner Biting
Awareness of the Risk factors
First, educate yourself about the potential risk factors of biting on your aligners, and consciously develop the habit of keeping your tongue positioned away from the aligners while the aligners are in your mouth.
Work on your Pronunciation
While speaking, make an effort to articulate your words properly. This can help prevent unintentional biting or clenching on the aligners.
Avoid Hard or Crunchy Foods
Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods may increase the likelihood of biting down on your aligners. Therefore you should stick to softer foods or remove your aligners before eating.
Use Aligner Chewies or Gummies
Aligner chewies are small, soft cylinders that can be gently chewed to help seat the aligners properly. However, be careful not to bite down too hard or use them excessively, as this might lead to aligner damage.
Use Chew Tools
Consider using chew therapy tools or chewy tubes designed specifically for aligner patients. These can help satisfy the urge to bite or grind, reducing the risk of damaging your aligners.
Meditate or Practise Relaxation Techniques
Stress and anxiety can increase teeth clenching and grinding habits. Incorporate relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation, to help reduce tension and minimise aligner biting.
Consult Your Orthodontist
If you struggle with a persistent aligner biting habit, discuss it with your orthodontist. They may recommend additional strategies, such as using bite guards or repositioning attachments, to help prevent accidental biting.
Final Verdict
A beautiful, confident smile can change your life and with clear aligners, achieving this has never been easier. Whether you’re looking to improve your smile for aesthetic reasons or to address specific dental concerns, such as teeth gap correction or bite correction clear aligners offer a versatile and effective solution.
We at i3dLiner invite you to take the first step towards a radiant smile. We are dedicated to guiding you towards a stunning and confident smile.
FAQs
It may be tempting to bite your aligners into position but try to avoid this as much as possible. Biting down on the aligners can cause damage and lessen its long-term effectiveness. Contact your orthodontist for guidance.
Do not leave your aligners for more than 2/3 hours, as you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours.
Aligners are not designed to bite or chew with. Biting or chewing may cause minor to permanent damage to your aligners.
Biting or chewing can damage the aligners, which may cause slow to zero recovery of your teeth, hampering the overall treatment process.
Clear aligner treatment involves following a set of regulations from your dental experts. These instructions are meant to achieve a successful and fast result, and avoiding them can slow the treatment process or even damage your teeth or gum in the long run.
