There are many benefits to wearing Invisalign aligners, and one of the main ones is the lack of metal wires in your mouth that need regular adjustment by the dentist to keep the teeth moving. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to visit your dentist to get updated Invisalign aligners is severely affected. As an Invisalign wearer, you may have concerns about the impact this pandemic will play on the progress of shifting your teeth, so these are the points you need to know.

Current Invisalign Hygiene

During the heightened virus transmission rates of the COVID-19 pandemic, your local dentist may only be open for patients with a dental emergency. Unfortunately, the routine visit to have your mouth scanned for new Invisalign aligners does not count as a dental emergency. Therefore, since you may be wearing your current Invisalign aligners for a few extra weeks, you must continue to pay careful attention to caring for them. Remove them from the mouth while eating to reduce any buildup of bacteria from food debris. Brush the Invisalign aligners morning and night to remove bacteria buildup, and rinse them with cool water to keep clean before being placed in the mouth.

Effect On Invisalign Treatment

While it is not ideal that you cannot see your dentist at present, a delay in preparing new Invisalign aligners is not going to negatively affect your progress or add months to your treatment plan. Specific questions regarding the effect on your situation should be addressed over the phone to your dentist. Since they know your situation and have access to your treatment plan, they have an individualized response to your query.

When To Contact Your Dentist

As discussed above, if you have concerns about the effect this delay has on your treatment plan, then call your dentist. Additionally, you must give them a call if you begin to experience any pain while wearing the aligner or if you notice damage to the aligner. These situations may be classed as a dental emergency and require a face-to-face visit at the dental office. If this type of visit is necessary, your dentist will advise what type of precautions you must take to protect both yourself and the dental staff from exposure to COVID-19.

While the pandemic will have an impact on your day-to-day life, you do not need to be overly concerned about its effect on your Invisalign journey, provided you keep this advice in mind until the crisis is over.