Taking care of your smile.

Brush after every meal with a soft-bristle brush. Angle the bristles above and below each bracket. Floss daily using a threader, super-floss, or a water flosser.

Wear your aligners 20–22 hours a day. Rinse them each time you take them out. Clean them once a day with a soft toothbrush and cool water — hot water can warp the plastic. Never eat or drink anything but water while wearing them.

Retainers protect the smile you just earned. Wear yours exactly as prescribed — usually full-time at first, then nightly for life.

Clean removable retainers daily with a soft brush and cool water. Soak occasionally in a retainer cleaner. Keep them in their case when they're not in your mouth — the #1 cause of lost retainers is a lunchroom napkin.

Continue your regular 6-month cleanings and check-ups with your family dentist throughout orthodontic treatment.