While traditional metal braces are a tried and proven way to straighten out a misaligned smile, many people are hesitant to wear conspicuous and irremovable metal appliances with pointy parts in their mouths for a year or more. Thankfully, Smile Shapers clear aligners offer a virtually invisible alternative that can address issues like misalignments, gaps, and crowding. While these dental trays are removable, you may be having trouble taking them off of your teeth. Here are some tips to help you remove them comfortably.
Start With a Warm Mouth
Materials tend to be more rigid at colder temperatures, and it can be more difficult to remove and easier to harm your clear aligners if you’ve just enjoyed a cold beverage. It’s best to avoid consuming cold or iced beverages for a while before removing your trays. It also helps if your fingers and mouth are rather dry, so you might want to try leaving your mouth open for a few seconds so saliva can evaporate before removing your trays.
Remove Trays from the Back Teeth First
When removing your aligners, it’s best to lift them off the molars in the back of the mouth first and then gradually work toward the front. Some clients prefer to do this on both sides at once while others would rather work on one side at a time. If the aligner has an attachment, it may be more difficult to remove, so start by working the easier parts loose first. When working on the most difficult parts, try hooking your fingernails under the edge and lifting the appliance upward.
Try Using a Paper Towel or Surgical Gloves
Many people report having a hard time getting a grip on their aligners. To get better traction, try gripping the aligner through a paper towel. You may also try using surgical gloves to get a better hold, but the thick rubber gloves used for housework make it too hard to work with the smaller pieces of the aligner. Fine surgical gloves usually come in boxes of fifty or one hundred.
Don’t Be in Too Much of a Rush
It can take some time to learn how to remove your clear aligners, so don’t stress out if you’re not immediately picking up on the skill. If you get frustrated when trying to remove your aligners, it may not be a bad idea to take a few minutes to relax and regroup before trying again. You can expect to get better at removing your clear aligners as you get more practice.
Smile Shapers is an excellent way to discreetly realign your smile. In addition to these suggestions, talking with your dentist can help you find the best ways to remove your clear aligners easily and comfortably.
About the Author
Dr. Joseph E. Hickey earned his dental doctorate at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2007 and completed a year-long residency with the Academy of Straight Wire and Functional Orthodontics in 2016. His office in Granger, IN offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Smile Shapers clear aligners. For more information on caring for your clear aligners, contact his office online or dial (574) 277-4235.