If your teeth are misaligned, it’s easy to have insecurities about your smile. Not only can your confidence suffer, but alignment issues can also affect your romantic life. According to a popular dating site, 57% of users prefer a possible mate with straight teeth. Invisalign can fix your bite and alignment with no brackets or wires. Here’s how you can give your dating life and confidence a boost with clear aligners.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Traditional braces use brackets and wires to pull teeth into position. Invisalign uses a different method. Your dentist creates a series of aligners that you’ll wear for at least 22 hours per day. Each aligner applies gentle pressure to specific teeth to move them slowly. You’ll switch to new aligners every 1-2 weeks as instructed by your dentist. Every situation differs, but many patients are finished with their treatment in 12 months.

Dating with Invisalign

You don’t have to worry about unwanted attention drawn to your teeth because Invisalign is virtually undetectable. You’ll feel confident about your appearance because there aren’t any brackets or wires. The aligners are smooth and fit snuggly, so you won’t have to stress about the bulkiness of metal braces when going in for a smooch. 

Invisalign won’t put a kink in your date night, but you should keep a few things in mind to prevent unnecessary complications with your treatment:

• Wear Your Aligners: It’s tempting to leave your aligners at home if you have a big date, but not wearing Invisalign enough can cause your teeth to move slower than anticipated.
• Carry Your Storage Case: There are no dietary restrictions with Invisalign because the aligners are removable. However, you shouldn’t have anything except water while wearing them. Carry your storage case with you, so you have a clean, safe place to store them while you’re eating. 
• Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss: You must brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily and after eating to prevent food residue and plaque from getting trapped between the aligners and your teeth. Create a travel oral hygiene kit to make it easy to brush and floss when you’re not at home.
• Skip Alcohol: Sipping alcohol while wearing your aligners can cause them to discolor. Not to mention, alcohol causes dehydration, which will make your mouth dry. A dry mouth encourages oral bacteria growth that can lead to unpleasant odors and dental problems. It’s best to skip any alcohol. Drink plenty of water instead to stay hydrated and keep your mouth moist. 

As you enjoy the dating scene, you’ll be on your way to having a straight, attractive smile to be proud of. While you search for your soulmate, don’t forget to maintain your regular check-ins with your dentist to ensure your treatment plan is on track. 

About Dr. Peter T. Harnois

Dr. Harnois earned his dental degree from the University of Illinois in 1982. He has continued his training regularly to provide the most up-to-date solutions in dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, BOTOX, and more. He is affiliated with many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (630) 323-4468.