My parents — while lovely — weren't exactly savvy when it came to braces for me as a child. They insisted on letting me make my own choices, so when they asked me if I wanted to wear metal on my teeth for the next three years, my ten-year-old self declined. Fast forward to my 28th birthday and I decided it was finally time to straighten my teeth — especially since I'd spent the vast majority of my adulthood hiding my pearly-whites in pictures. I wanted to smile proudly... and I knew I needed help.
I invested in Invisalign and a little over a year later, I couldn't believe the results. That said, while this system is the original — and the one most recommended by dentists — there are tons of other teeth-straightening options that are far more affordable. From Smile Direct Club to Candid, the quest for a confidence-boosting smile is easier and more budget-friendly than ever. No matter what you pick though, here's an important word of caution: Invisible aligners take work.
Like, a lot of work.
Here's the thing: Since your teeth are covered the vast majority of the day, it's easy for bacteria and grime to make themselves at home, causing cavities and decay. So in addition to brushing each and every single time you eat or drink, it's also important to clean your teeth effectively. If you're considering investing in this treatment, you're also going to want to level up your dental hygiene game accordingly. Here are a few dental products to stock up on that'll help promote healthy habits while you work your invisible aligners.
Image via Imaxtree
If white and gold is your aesthetic, you're about to #love this power toothbrush. It's a smart multi-tasking buy since it features UV sanitation, tailored brushing modes, and offers 40,000 brush strokes per minute. As you go along your gums, the tops, bottoms and sides of your teeth, you'll hear a ding every 30 seconds, signaling you to move to another area of your mouth. Once you rinse, you'll feel instantly fresh and clean.
When it comes to mouthwash, it's never a pleasant experience, right? Think again! With farm-grown peppermint, xylitol and tea tree oil, this natural solution doesn't sting, but still fights germs. Pro tip: Keep this at your desk at work so you can swish after lunch, before you put your Invisible aligners back on.
You may feel pretty guilty about the plastic aligners you're using and tossing out every few weeks. Lighten your environmental footprint a bit by investing in biodegradable toothbrushes like these. Sustainable and made of bamboo, you can keep keep one in your purse, another in your gym bag so you can ensure a quick brush, no matter where you are.
Never did I ever use more mouthwash than when I was wearing my Invisalign aligners. However, I was super-selective with any colored rinses since hey, those stain easily. This option — made with sodium bicarbonate and xylitol to balance your mouth's pH — won't leave behind reside. It's free of sulfate, parabens, alcohol and SLS, so you won't have to worry about bad-tasting chemicals, either.
