10108 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116

From Rookie to Ready: 4 Tips to Help You Prepare for Invisalign

July 10, 2025

Woman smiling while first starting her Invisalign treatment

Are you about to start your teeth straightening journey? It’s an exciting process that millions of people have gone through. Especially when it comes to Invisalign, since a source of its popularity is having a discreet appearance. However, you may be nervous about starting this next step, so continue reading to learn four tips that can help you prepare for your treatment.

1.)  Start Brushing After Eating

It’s essential to brush after every meal when it comes to clear aligners. Doing so ensures that no bacteria can get stuck between your trays and teeth, keeping your smile healthy. If not, then you risk developing cavities or other oral health issues that can cause delays in your orthodontic timeline.

2.)  Reduce Your Snacking Habits

Invisalign and snacking, unfortunately, do not mix very well. When you have your trays in, the only thing you can have is water, as food or other drinks can damage the plastic aligners or get stuck between them. You will have to have them in for 20 to 22 hours a day, and taking them out too much to enjoy a snack can prolong your treatment.

3.)  Create a Travel Dental Kit

To make it a habit of cleaning out your smile, it’s a good idea to carry around a kit of your dental essentials. You can stash it in a bag or keep it with you, so you can brush and floss your teeth at any time. Some helpful things to have inside are a foldable toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste, and mini mouthwash. You can even stash some over-the-counter medication in case your teeth start to feel sore and an extra Invisalign case.

4.)  Be Mentally Prepared

A great way to get ready for your teeth straightening journey is to get your mind ready! Since having an oral appliance in your mouth may be new to you, it’s important to give yourself grace when getting used to it. You can expect to feel some initial discomfort as you adjust to them or have altered speech. Remember that these are temporary, as you won’t be used to the clear aligners taking up space.

If you want to start your transition to Invisalign like a pro, it might be helpful to start with these tips well before your appointment! Building these habits now can make caring for your clear aligners easier, as you’d already be used to doing them. In no time, taking care of them will feel like second nature to you.

About the Practice

At Dentex Dental of Philadelphia, we are proud to serve our community with healthier smiles. Our team of skilled dentists customizes treatment plans for you that get you to results you love, including when choosing Invisalign. We are with you every step of the way to ensure that you feel confident throughout your teeth straightening journey. If you have any questions or want to learn more about how this service can help you, schedule an appointment or call us at (215) 677-3904.

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