If you’re looking for a discreet treatment that can straighten your mildly to moderately overcrowded grin, you might benefit from Invisalign. This clear alternative to traditional braces utilizes transparent plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to shift them rather than bulky metal brackets.

However, you must wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily, giving bacteria trapped between your teeth and your orthodontics plenty of time to flourish. You’ll need to clean your smile consistently to prevent problems like cavities and gum disease. Continue reading to learn more about how to keep your mouth clean with Invisalign!

Now that your orthodontic treatment is complete, your orthodontist will likely provide you with a retainer to wear to maintain your new smile. At first, you may need to wear it around the clock, but eventually you’ll likely only need to use it while you sleep. Still, protecting your retainer is very important, because if it’s not in good working condition, it can’t do its job. In that spirit, here are four important tips to make wearing and caring for your retainer a breeze!