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Contact Information

Jean E. Barthman, DDS
801 Brewster Ave Ste 255
Redwood City, CA 94063
Ph: (650) 367-4967

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Meet Dr. Barthman

Dr. BarthmanBeauty, Health and Comfort. These words best describe the office of Dr. Barthman. Because of her years of experience and education, she possesses the latest knowledge and techniques in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to help you achieve optimal results.

Dr. Barthman is a Member of

  • American Dental Association
  • Las Vegas Institute for
  • Advanced Dental Studies
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Did You Know?

Above all else, Dr. Barthman wants for you to have a beautiful, new smile. Prevention is the key to staying healthy and so we recommend the following tips to get you on your way:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  • Chew sugarless gum instead of sugary varieties.
  • Floss daily and if possible, after every meal.
  • Prevent plaque and cavities by reducing your daily intake of sweet snacks.
  • Schedule a cleaning and oral examination with Dr. Barthman once a year.

 

How to Properly Clean Invisalign® Aligners

August 02, 2019 @ 11:00 AM -- by Dr. Jean Barthman
Tagged with: Invisalign

Invisalign aligners over the teethInvisalign® is a discreet and effective teeth straightening treatment that uses clear plastic aligners to correct bite and tooth alignment issues. Many patients prefer Invisalign over traditional braces because the aligner trays are virtually invisible, and they are far more comfortable than braces.

While Dr. Jean Barthman’s Redwood City, CA, patients progress through Invisalign treatment, they will switch to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks. It is extremely important that patients clean Invisalign aligners properly to protect the teeth from dental complications, and prevent the aligners from taking on an unpleasant odor or color.

Cleaning Frequency

Patients should clean their aligners regularly. Aligners fit snug against the teeth and gum line, so if they aren’t cleaned regularly, any bacteria that builds up on the aligners can reach the teeth and gums, where oral health problems can develop.

Invisalign aligners should be cleaned any time they are removed from the mouth. Throughout the day when people are outside the home, a simple rinse can serve as a cleaning. However, at least once a day, patients need to take the time to do a thorough aligner cleaning.

Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Invisalign aligners is not complicated, especially once patients have gotten into the habit. To start the cleaning process, patients should soak their aligners in a cleaning solution. Patients can purchase an Invisalign cleaner, or they can make their own solution using clear, unscented antibacterial soap and water. Aligners should be soaked for about 20 to 30 minutes. Since aligners should not be worn while eating, many find it easy to soak aligners while they are enjoying a meal, typically breakfast or dinner.

After aligners have been soaked, they should be brushed to remove any spots or deposits. Patients can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean all surfaces of the aligners. After brushing, the aligners can be rinsed off so they are ready to be worn again. Before reinserting aligners, patients should brush and floss their teeth. Clean aligners should always be worn over clean teeth.

Benefits of Clean Aligners

Since Invisalign aligners are only worn for a couple of weeks at a time, some question the need to clean them so thoroughly and so frequently. Clean aligners are essential to maintaining good oral health, and they provide our Redwood City patients with a number of other benefits as well:

  • Clean aligners will not become discolored
  • Clean aligners help keep the breath smelling fresh
  • Clean aligners minimize the risk of tooth decay and other dental problems
  • Clean aligners remain discreet, so they keep the smile looking attractive

Schedule an Appointment

Invisalign can address the most common malocclusion problems to give you straighter teeth, and it does so without the metal brackets and wires that many find uncomfortable and unattractive. If you’d like to find out if Invisalign treatment is right for you, call (650) 367-4967 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jean Barthman at your earliest convenience.