Before you begin wearing aligners it is crucial to ensure your oral health are in peak health. This supports a seamless treatment process and maximizes the optimal outcomes. Begin by booking a comprehensive dental checkup with your orthodontic specialist. They will carefully examine your teeth for infections, lesions, or structural concerns that must be resolved before aligners are fitted. Untreated problems can become more severe, potentially derailing your timeline.

Should you have prior restorations like composite fillings, veneers, or fixed bridges, your dentist will inspect their stability. Depending on your situation, adjustments may be necessary to ensure proper fit with your aligners. It is also highly advisable to schedule a deep cleaning. Clearing away hardened biofilm reduces the risk of gum irritation and inflammation while wearing aligners.

Commit to maintaining consistent dental care routines. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a dentist-recommended formula and floss every single day. This builds a solid base for preventing plaque accumulation during aligner treatment. Begin rinsing with therapeutic mouthwash—it can control oral pathogens and freshen your breath.

If you’re a smoker or tobacco user, consider stopping entirely. Smoking can stain your aligners and impede tooth shifting. It also elevates your likelihood of gum disease, which can interfere with treatment.

Equally important, mentally ready yourself for the new lifestyle. Aligners require discipline—you must keep them in for 20–22 hours daily and only remove them to eat, brush, and floss. Begin adapting to this schedule immediately by maintaining daily hygiene rituals. Keep a travel toothbrush and floss handy so you are ready to clean your teeth after meals when you are out.

Implementing these preparations ahead of time helps you avoid complications and paves the way for a flawless result. A healthy mouth and good habits will make your path to perfect alignment much easier.