Invisalign trays are far more discreet, convenient, and comfortable than regular braces. Of course, you'll still want to finish the treatment as soon as possible so you can enjoy the results and cease wearing your aligners all the time. With that in mind, it's worth making sure you avoid some of the common mistakes that can increase the amount of time it takes to achieve your desired results.

Here are just four things you shouldn't do if you want your Invisalign results as fast as possible.

1. Not Wearing Them Enough

Being able to remove your Invisalign trays at will is one of their main advantages. You can brush and floss more easily, eat more naturally, and restore your natural appearance for photos or important meetings. However, it's important to avoid removing your aligners too often or for too long. It does take some discipline, but aligners can't work when they aren't in. Additionally, teeth may start moving back to their original position if you leave your aligners out for some time.

2. Delaying Adjustments

Invisalign treatments don't just involve one set of aligners. You'll be changing things up every few weeks, and each new set of aligners will help adjust your teeth a little further. It can be tempting to delay those adjustments, especially since you can experience soreness for a day or two after progressing to new aligners. However, this will only slow the process, so make sure you keep your appointments and switch to new aligners as soon as you receive them.

3. Improper Cleaning

You'll need to properly maintain your Invisalign aligners using the cleaning methods outlined by your orthodontist. If you don't, bacteria can infect them. This isn't just bad for your oral health — bacteria can also impact the aligners themselves, which will make them less effective. Be especially careful not to make the common mistake of cleaning your aligners with your toothbrush. Bristles can leave small scratches in which bacteria can thrive, so using a toothbrush can actually make things worse.

4. Incorrect Storage

Since Invisalign aligners shouldn't ever spend very long out of your mouth, some wearers don't see the need to properly store them whenever they are removed. This can be very bad for your oral health since bacteria can get onto improperly stored aligners, which can make them less effective. Additionally, aligners that aren't properly stored can snap, crack, or become warped. This can mean having to wait for a replacement set, which is naturally going to slow your progress. As such, make sure only ever put them in the provided tray containers.

For more information on Invisalign, contact a professional near you.