How to Clean Invisalign Clear Aligners | Important Tips, Do’s & Don’ts

People who might be self-conscious about traditional braces will consider clear aligners as their option. Invisalign clear aligners can be used to correct a wide range of orthodontic issues. Here is a comprehensive overview of what they are and how to take care of them.

What are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Invisalign aligners are clear, smooth plastic braces used in orthodontic treatment. They are virtually invisible and removable, especially when eating, flossing, or brushing your teeth. Invisalign aligners are more comfortable compared to traditional braces. They do not irritate your gums or cheeks during your treatment process. Their treatment is estimated to last 12 to 18 months, depending on the severity of your orthodontic issue.

Why Do You Need Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Here is why you may need Invisalign to enhance your smile:

• If you have crowded or misaligned teeth
• Have gapped teeth
• Bite issues such as underbite, crossbite, or overbite

What are the Tips to Clean Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Here are some important tips, do’s, and don’ts after getting Invisalign clear aligners:

Do’s after Getting Invisalign

• Clean Your Aligners Daily: Before wearing your aligners, remember to clean them. First, wash your hands and clean one clear aligner at a time using soap and water. Clean them inside and outside carefully and gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the aligners. Wearing unclean aligners can put you at risk of developing bad breath and tooth decay.
• Soak Them Every Day: To ensure that your aligners look and smell fresh, you must soak them at least once daily. You can soak them in a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals. After you have soaked them, get a toothbrush to brush off plaque and food particles from it. Use a different toothbrush from the one you use for your teeth. After brushing the Invisalign, rinse them off using warm water before placing them back into your mouth.
• Rinse Them Off After Removing Them: Whether you are taking them off to eat, drink or brush your teeth, rinse the aligners every time you take them off. This prevents plaque and dry saliva from building up.
• Brush Your Teeth Before Putting Them Back: Our dentist in Chino, CA recommends that your teeth and gums remain healthy during Invisalign treatment. Practicing regular oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth will keep your teeth strong and healthy. Before putting your aligners back on, endure your gums and teeth are clean. If not, food particles can get trapped against your teeth inside the aligners and could lead to decay or gum infections.
• Take Them Out Every Morning: Bacteria builds up on the Invisalign trays while sleeping. Developing a morning routine of removing and cleaning your trays is vital to your oral health.
• Handle Stains Gently: Even after adequately caring for them, you may notice that your aligners are getting cloudy or discolored. Our dentist near you suggests not to use anything harsh or harmful when removing stains. You can eliminate the cloudiness by mixing equal measurements of warm water and hydrogen peroxide and soaking the aligners in the solution for a few hours.

Don’ts after Getting Invisalign

• Leave Your Trays Lying Around: Store them in a safe place when you are not using your aligners. Leaving them out in the open air exposes them to bacteria buildup. In addition, there is also the chance that they may get lost or damaged. Always carry your aligner case with you. If you forgot your case, soak the aligners before using them again.
• Eat Or Drink with Your Aligners On: While it’s okay to drink water while wearing your aligners, our Invisalign dentist near Chino Hills recommends removing them when eating and taking other beverages. This is because other drinks and food substances can stain the aligners. In addition, they are also not made to withstand the pressure of chewing or biting. This can damage the aligners or get food particles stuck on them.
• Use Scented Soaps: Using a scented or colored soap to clean your aligners will leave them tasting unpleasant when wearing them. The colors used in soaps may also stain the aligners.
• Don’t Use Toothpaste: The majority of toothpaste contains abrasives like silica or baking soda. These abrasives are very helpful when removing stains from your teeth. However, when used on plastic aligners, they can rub away the plastic and cause grooves and scratches. This will make your aligners look cloudy.
• Use Hot Water: While hot water might seem like the best way to kill germs and bacteria from your aligners, it can damage them. The heat can manipulate their shape and enable them not to straighten your teeth effectively. Use lukewarm water when cleaning your aligners.

Visit an Orthodontist Near You

Figuring out how Invisalign aligners work and how to clean them is vital in ensuring that they remain in good condition. The cleaning routine is easy though it may take time before you commit to the steps. Contact us at Ramona Dentistry of Chino if you are ready for a straighter smile with Invisalign in Chino, CA!