WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO CLEANING EVERY 3 MONTHS WHEN WEARING ALIGNERS?
WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO CLEANING EVERY 3 MONTHS WHEN WEARING ALIGNERS?
DEFINITION From DIGITAL ORTHODONTICS - Solo Edition by Dr. Bak Nguyen
The answer is straightforward, you do not want any complications while in treatment. It is a matter of health and also one of finance to keep the cost under control.
The rule is the same as with braces. We need you to keep your mouth clean to avoid cavities, gum diseases, and any other complications that might slow down or even stall the orthodontics process. The rule of 3 to 4 months is based on the fact that it usually takes 3 to 4 months for calculus and decays to appear in the mouth.
If those are prevented and removed before needing treatment, the same aligners custom-made to your teeth can be used to continue your treatment.
In the advent that you might need dental work, chances are that your teeth will be repaired and won't match the same custom-made aligners. In that case, you will need a new scan and the production of new custom-made aligners, thus engaging extra fees for both the dental work and the new aligners.
Having your teeth cleaned every 3 to 4 months will still require you to also floss and brush your teeth after each meal. You were supposed to brush your teeth 3 times a day and floss, at least once, before going to bed. Guess what? Now you really have to do so. On top of flossing, if you feel food stuck in between your teeth during the day, you need to clean that too.
See it this way, it is much cheaper and faster for you to brush, floss, and see your dentist for a cleaning 3 times a year than to pay for the complications of dental work and custom-made aligners.