Did you know that Align Technology has helped over 10 million people globally straighten their teeth with Invisalign aligners? Now that’s pretty impressive.
One of the reasons people choose Invisalign aligners over metal braces is discreteness. Manufactured from clear medical grade plastic, nobody will know you’re wearing Invisalign unless you tell them. But discreteness goes out of the window if your aligners are stained, so it’s vital to understand how to clean Invisalign braces.
If you don’t get into an oral hygiene routine to help keep your Invisalign trays clean, the evidence will be there for all to see. When you clean Invisalign braces, it’s not just about aesthetics. Dirty aligners accumulate spit, saliva, plaque, and bacteria, leading to bad breath and tooth decay. Fortunately, My Local Dentists can help you avoid that with a few essential cleaning tips.
How to Clean Invisalign Braces?
Adopt a good oral health routine
For Invisalign aligners to work their magic, you have to wear them for at least 22 hours a day, which means wearing them while you sleep at night. While you’re fast asleep bacteria are gathering on your teeth and trays partly because there is less saliva present to rinse them away.
Take your trays out first thing in the morning and give your trays and teeth a thorough brushing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and don’t scrub too hard. It’s best to avoid most types of toothpaste because many of them are abrasive and cause tiny cracks to appear in your aligners. However, clear anti-bacterial soap will work just as well.
Start gently scrubbing with circular movements around the surfaces of the trays. Pay particular attention to the areas that contact the teeth since this is a common area for plaque to form. Then rinse your Invisalign aligners under a steady stream of warm (not hot) water and leave them to air dry while you brush and floss your teeth.
Don’t forget to repeat this process each night before climbing into bed.
Clean Invisalign braces every time you remove them
You can’t wear your trays every hour or every day, and at some point, you will need to remove them to eat and drink. Try and get into the habit of rinsing your aligners every time you remove them to help minimise saliva and plaque build-up. When you take your trays out to eat food, try and brush your teeth and rinse your trays before placing them back in your mouth.
Soak your aligners once a day
Brushing alone can’t remove certain food particles and plaque. Soaking your Invisalign aligners once a day will help keep them looking their best.
Grab yourself some Invisalign cleaning crystals and follow the instructions on the packaging. Once they have finished soaking, take them out of the solution and brush them well with a soft toothbrush to remove any stubborn plaque. Some people prefer to use a soft baby’s toothbrush, but a standard toothbrush will be alright if you take things gently. Rinse with cold water before putting them back in your mouth after you have brushed your teeth.
There are alternatives if you don’t want to use Invisalign crystals to clean your Invisalign braces:
- Dissolve a tablespoon of warm water and soak the aligners for around an hour. Take the aligners out of the solution and rinse them well with warm water.
- You can also dilute vinegar (one part to three parts water) and soak your aligners for 25 to 30 minutes. Give them a rinse, and you’re good to go.
Don’t eat or drink with your Invisalign aligners
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that there are no food restrictions, and that’s because you are supposed to remove them to eat food and drink anything other than water. Colourful foods and beverages can stain them. Furthermore, Invisalign trays aren’t designed with chewing in mind. Food particles may get stuck in them, and the pressure could damage them.
Never leave your aligners out in the open
Alfresco dining is great, but leaving your aligners exposed to the air could cause bacteria to form on them. Because they’re virtually invisible, you could also lose your aligners if you leave them on a table, as they could get cleared away by serving staff or thrown into a rubbish bin with a napkin. To prevent damage or loss, always keep your aligners in a storage case when you’re not wearing them.
So, that’s it, all you need to know about how to clean Invisalign braces.
Invisalign is a discreet and comfortable way to straighten teeth. But you will need to keep your aligners clean to get the most out of your orthodontic treatment. Dirty aligners can lead to bacteria and tooth decay, so follow the cleaning tips we’ve outlined above.
Are you ready to start your Invisalign journey?
Schedule your free orthodontics consultation with the experienced team at My Local Dentists. Call us today or use our online booking service. We’ll soon put a smile on your face.
References
Dentistry today – Align Celebrates 10 Million Invisalign Smiles With 10 Million Thanks
https://www.dentistrytoday.com/align-celebrates-10-million-invisalign-smiles-with-10-million-thanks/
Science Direct.com – The role of natural salivary defences in maintaining a healthy oral microbiota
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030057121830335X