One of the great features of clear aligners is that they are removable. You can (and should!) take your SureSmile trays out of your mouth multiple times each day so you can eat without hindrance and maintain excellent oral hygiene. But what if you find it a little tricky to get your aligners out? Continue reading this blog post to discover practical tips on how to easily remove your clear aligners.
Start at the Back
Instead of grabbing your aligner in the front, reach into your mouth and start removing it from the back. Place a fingertip on the inside of your aligner where it contacts one of your back molars, and then gently tug it away from your teeth. Do the same thing on the other side and gradually work your way toward the front of your mouth.
Do Not Remove after a Cold Drink
It is fine to sip on cold water while you are wearing your SureSmile aligners. However, keep in mind that the low temperature of your drink might make the plastic material of your trays lose some of its flexibility. It is generally easiest to remove aligners when they are at room temperature. (Do not consume a hot drink in the hopes of loosening your aligner; high temperatures could warp the plastic and render it unusable.)
Supplement Your Grip
If your bare fingers seem to slide right off your aligners, you might need a little extra help to get a good grip on them. Many people find that a paper towel makes it much easier to get a grasp on their SureSmile trays. Alternatively, you could use gloves. Surgical gloves are a good choice because they are thin and allow you to feel what you are doing.
Use an Aligner Hook
An aligner hook kind of looks like a crochet hook — but it serves a very different purpose. You can use it to gently tug your aligners off of your teeth without the hassles that sometimes come with using your bare hands. A hook can be especially helpful if you have attachments on your aligners.
As a side note, be sure to exercise caution when using an aligner hook. You do not want to accidentally injure your gums or other soft oral tissues.
Trim Your Fingernails
Long nails can look fabulous, but they do come with some inconveniences. For example, they might make it challenging to grip your aligners. Keep your nails reasonably short so you can take SureSmile out of your mouth with as little fuss as possible.
It can take a bit of time to get used to removing SureSmile aligners. Before you know it, though, it should be an easy part of your daily routine!
Meet the Practice
BrookSide Dental Care is proud to offer SureSmile as one of our many treatments. If you are interested in straightening your teeth or have questions about what to expect with clear aligners, we are ready to speak with you. Contact our Prestonsburg office at 606-874-9311.