Do you really have to wear Invisalign while you are asleep?

I want Invisalign and I am trying to find out as much about them as possible. I know you have to wear them all day, but do I really have to wear them while I am asleep? I really don’t like sleeping with anything in my mouth. Madison

Madison – Yes, Invisalign is worn while you are asleep. The aligners are removed when you eat and when you brush and floss your teeth.

Invisalign should be worn about 22 hours a day, if you remove them at night while you sleep, your teeth will slowly begin to shift back to their original position. Removing the Invisalign at night is an interruption of your treatment.

It may be helpful to think of Invisalign as invisible braces. Braces are not removed from your teeth while you sleep. Although you have the convenience of removing Invisalign when necessary, they otherwise need to stay in place to ensure that your treatment is successful.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Can teenagers get teeth whitening?

Some kids at school get their teeth whitened. It is becoming really popular especially with the cheerleaders. I want to get my teeth whitened but I am in middle school and my mom says I need to wait. Is there anything wrong with teenagers getting teeth whitening? – Ciera

Ciera – Teeth whitening is not recommended for teenagers under 16 years of age. Even when you are 16 years old, you need to have your teeth examined by a dentist to determine if teeth whitening will help or hurt your teeth.

When you are under 16 years old, the nerve in each tooth is larger than an adult’s tooth nerve. Whitening your teeth can irritate the tooth nerve and make it sensitive. You can feel a sharp tingling sensation in your teeth or pain in your teeth if you whiten them too soon in your teenage years.

It is best to wait to have your teeth whitened, and then only by a dentist who can monitor the progress and make any needed adjustments to the treatment.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Dental bridge doesn’t fit and it’s getting worse

My dental bridge hasn’t fit right since I got it, and now it is pulling more and more away from my gums. It is getting to be increasingly noticeable. It is really uncomfortable, too. I got the bridge in 2011. Can it be fixed or will I need a new one? Thanks for your help. Mariama

Mariama – Your dental bridge needs to be examined by a cosmetic dentist. At times, the teeth that support the bridge can be worked on to give the bridge a better fit. Often, the dental bridge needs to be replaced.

We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to see an experienced cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists have an artistic eye for giving you appealing restorations for your teeth that look completely natural. A cosmetic dentist won’t just provide you with a new bridge. He or she will listen to your concerns about your smile and use his or her talent to give you a bridge that fits well, matches your natural teeth, and enhances your smile.

Your corrected or new dental bridge will be carefully checked and adjusted before it is cemented. You will also have the opportunity to approve the look and feel of the bridge before it is permanently placed.

You may consider having a consultation with a few different cosmetic dentists before you decide who you want to restore your teeth.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.