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You’ve selected the Invisalign system because of the many benefits Invisalign offers: comfort, convenience, appearance, and even potentially shorter treatment time! And to add to the good news, caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy and uncomplicated. Follow these simple tips to keep your aligners in the best possible shape as you move through the stages of your treatment.

Stay Clean

• Always brush and floss your teeth before using your aligners so that bacteria and food particles will not have a chance to collect around your teeth while you wear them.
• When you brush your teeth, be sure to brush your aligners with a separate soft toothbrush and lukewarm water as well.
• Rinse your aligners whenever you remove them during the day.
• Soak your aligners as recommended. Use the Invisalign Cleaning System or ask our Idaho Falls, Rigby, Rexburg, Afton, and Salmon team for other suggestions to keep your aligners free from odor and bacteria.

Stay Clear

One of the reasons you chose Invisalign is for an almost invisible appearance. Why take a chance on discoloration or scratches that will make the appliance more noticeable? Here are some common mistakes that can affect the color of your aligners:

• If your aligner has white spots, that might mean plaque build-up. Always rinse your aligner after you remove it and clean it thoroughly night and morning.
• Brushing with anything other than a soft brush and brushing too hard can cause scratches in the material which might be noticeable. A gentle touch will work to clean and protect your aligners.
• Eating with Invisalign aligners can cause staining. More important, it can cause the retention of food particles in the appliance, which can lead to dental problems. Finally, aligners are not meant for chewing—they might be damaged or lose their ideal shape even with soft foods. If you are going to be eating or drinking, take your aligners out, give them a rinse, and brush before you replace them. Or stick with water! Water will have no ill effects on teeth or aligners.
• Only soak aligners in an appropriate solution. Harsh chemicals, colored mouthwashes, and even some toothpastes can dim or discolor the clear plastic.

Talk to Dr. Lowder about the best products to use and the best methods for taking care of your aligners. After all, making the process of improving your smile as easy and effective as possible is yet another benefit of choosing Invisalign!

The stereotypical braces wearer – in middle school, with a mouth full of metal brackets – has led to numerous myths about orthodontics that discourage many people from getting the dental care they need. Dr. Lowder and our staff would like to put some of these myths to rest.

Myth 1: Orthodontic treatment is for kids. Although teenagers often visit the orthodontist to get braces, adults represent a growing proportion of orthodontic patients. Whether you’re eight or 80, a consultation with an orthodontist can identify problems with your teeth, jaws, or bite that can be corrected by orthodontic interventions.

Myth 2: Traditional, metal braces are my only option. Advances in orthodontic technology have rendered improved braces and other orthodontic appliances that are much less noticeable than the braces of yesteryear. Ask Dr. Lowder about Invisalign® braces and other options that make sense for your situation.

Myth 3: Orthodontic treatment is only helpful for crooked teeth. Sure, a crooked smile is a common reason that patients seek orthodontic care. However, orthodontic interventions help with a range of dental health problems. From missing teeth to overbite to jaw misalignment, your orthodontist can help with many problems associated with the teeth, gums, and jaws.

Myth 4: Orthodontic treatment is too expensive. As with any medical procedure, orthodontics can be pricey. However, our Idaho Falls, Rigby, Rexburg, Afton, and Salmon team works with patients to find payment plans, insurance coverage, or other payment options that reduce the financial burden.

Taking care of your ClearCorrect aligners is very easy. It’s actually one of the reasons ClearCorrect has quickly become of the most desired treatments for those who need braces at our Idaho Falls, Rigby, Rexburg, Afton, and Salmon office. There are some simple guidelines for caring for them, and as long as you go by them you will have no complaints.

• Don’t eat or drink while wearing your aligners. The aligners are made out of a thin plastic material and eating can damage them. If they are damaged it can affect your treatment as well as cost additional money to get replacement aligners. The food can also accumulate in the aligners and cause cavities.

• Don’t chew gum because it will stick to the aligners and can be an aggravation to remove.

• After eating always brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.

• Brush your aligners with a toothbrush every day to keep them clean and to make sure that the inside that is against your teeth all day are clean as well. Rinse them with warm water.

Patients love the fact that their aligners are able to be removed to care for them, and this is a big plus for orthodontic treatment. It reduces the time to get ready and go to bed each day, and is less annoying than dealing with traditional braces because there are no rubber bands and brackets to deal with.

For best results while using ClearCorrect always keep your appointments with Dr. Lowder. Call our Idaho Falls, Rigby, Rexburg, Afton, and Salmon office today to see if you are a good candidate for this type of treatment. You will not be disappointed!

When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think of cards, flowers, and chocolates. We think of girlfriends celebrating being single together and couples celebrating their relationship. We think of all things pink and red taking over every pharmacy and grocery store imaginable. But what Dr. Lowder and our team would like to think of is when and how this joyous, love-filled day began.

Several martyrs’ stories are associated with the origins of Valentine’s Day. One of the most widely known suggests that Valentine was a Roman priest who went against the law at a time when marriage had been banned for young men. He continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret and when he was discovered, he was sentenced to death.

Another tale claims that Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape from Roman prisons. Yet another says that Valentine himself sent the first valentine when he fell in love with a girl and sent her a letter and signed it, “From your Valentine.”

Other claims suggest that it all began when Geoffrey Chaucer, an Englishman often referred to as the father of English literature, wrote a poem that was the first to connect St. Valentine to romance. From there, it evolved into a day when lovers would express their feelings for each other. Cue the flowers, sweets, and cards!

Regardless of where the holiday came from, these stories all have one thing in common: They celebrate the love we are capable of as human beings. And though that’s largely in a romantic spirit these days, it doesn’t have to be. You could celebrate love for a sister, a friend, a parent, even a pet.

We hope all our patients know how much we love them! Wishing you all a very happy Valentine’s Day from the team at Lowder Orthodontics!