Blog · Treatment & Care
Wearing your aligners 20–22 hours a day - and actually sticking to it
The biggest factor in your results is wear time. Practical, judgement-free tips for building the habit.
Your aligners can only move your teeth while you’re wearing them. That’s why wear time matters more than almost anything else. The good news: it’s a habit, and habits can be built.
What 20–22 hours looks like
It means your aligners are in for most of the day and all night. They come out for meals, drinks other than water, and cleaning your teeth.
Make it easier
- Plan your mealsGrazing through the day quietly eats into wear time.
- Carry a small kitYour case and a travel toothbrush make eating out simple.
- Set a reminderA simple alarm after meals helps you put them back in.
- Use the NextGen appSee your wear time and keep your routine visible.
Why we built the NextGen 22 app
Because wear time matters so much, we built the NextGen 22 patient app to make the routine easier to keep. It helps you track your daily wear time, reminds you when it’s time to change to your next set of aligners, and guides your everyday care - so you always know where you are in your journey.
- Track your wear timeSee how many hours you’ve worn your aligners each day.
- Know when to changeGet reminders for switching to your next set.
- Care made simpleCleaning and care guidance, right when you need it.
- Stay connectedMessage the NextGen team whenever you have a question.
Progress needs consistency.
When life gets busy
Holidays, events and long days happen. If you miss some hours, simply put your aligners back in and continue. If it happens often, message the NextGen team through the NextGen patient app - we’ll help you get back on track.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your partner dentist will talk you through your own options.
