An important part of ensuring that your orthodontic treatment stays on track will be cleaning and caring for your aligners. Our orthodontists in Surrey share the reasons why you need to clean your Invisalign clear aligners and offer some do's and don'ts to help.
The Importance of Daily Cleaning to Prevent Bacteria Buildup & Discolouration
When you are undergoing treatment with Invisalign, it's vital that you keep your aligners clean. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, they can accumulate bacteria, plaque, and food particles between the aligners and your teeth. If you don't keep up with cleaning your aligners and teeth during orthodontic treatment, you can be at risk of oral health issues.
In addition to the health implications, neglecting to clean Invisalign aligners can lead to aesthetic issues. Stained or cloudy aligners can compromise the discreet nature of Invisalign. Not cleaning your aligners properly can also cause some unwanted smells. This is due to the build-up of bacteria in the mouth, which might lead to bad breath.
Do's for Cleaning Your Invisalign Clear Aligners
- Do use a mild, unscented soap to clean your aligners: An unscented, clear antibacterial soap will effectively cleanse away bacteria and rinse thoroughly.
- Do clean your aligners when you wake up: This helps eliminate plaque and bacteria that accumulate overnight, ensuring your trays and teeth stay clean while preventing bad breath.
- Do rinse your aligners whenever you remove them: Rinsing your aligners in warm water each time you remove them prevents bacteria from developing a dried-out film on the aligners.
- Do brush your teeth after eating: Keeping your teeth clean while wearing aligners is essential to prevent cavities from food and sugars getting trapped against your teeth and to minimize the buildup of oral bacteria. Aim to brush after every meal, or rinse your mouth thoroughly with mouthwash if brushing isn't possible.
- Do soak your aligners every few days: Soaking your aligners in an Invisalign cleaning solution can help eliminate bacterial buildup and maintain their transparent appearance. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
- Do use a soft-bristled toothbrush: Using a toothbrush with coarse bristles may be too harsh on your Invisalign aligners and could lead to scratches.
Don'ts for Properly Caring for Your Aligners
- Don’t use toothpaste to clean your trays: Most types of toothpaste contain abrasives like baking soda or silica. These abrasives assist in removing stains and plaque from your teeth. However, when used on plastic Invisalign trays, they can wear down the plastic, leading to grooves and scratches on your aligners, making them appear cloudy.
- Don’t use scented or coloured soaps: If you use scented or coloured soap to clean your aligners, they will taste unpleasant when you wear them. Some colours in soap might also stain your aligners.
- Don’t leave your aligners out in the open: Always store your aligners in their case when not in use. This helps keep them free from bacteria and protects them from damage.
- Don’t use hot water to rinse your aligners: Clean your aligners with lukewarm water only. Hot water can warp them, causing damage and prolonging your treatment.
What should you use to clean your Invisalign aligners?
There are many ways to clean your Invisalign aligners, but certain methods are more effective for specific situations. Here, we share the best cleaning method for each scenario:
Clear, Antibacterial, Unscented Soap
Using clear, antibacterial, unscented soap is a gentle and effective way to keep things clean every day! Just add a tiny bit of liquid soap to some lukewarm water, gently brush your aligners with a soft toothbrush, and be sure to rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Maintain your Invisalign aligners clean and clear with specially designed Invisalign cleaning crystals. These effective crystals contain cleansing agents, such as sodium sulphate, to guarantee a thorough cleaning for your aligners.
Invisalign cleaning crystals dissolve tough stains and remove plaque without damaging aligners. They also protect against yellowing. To use, soak aligners in the solution for 20-30 minutes, then rinse. Avoid soaking overnight.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
If you notice any stains on your aligners, consider using a solution composed of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and lukewarm water. Soak your aligners in this mixture for about 15 minutes, then gently brush them with a soft toothbrush before rinsing them thoroughly.
Distilled White Vinegar Solution
To remove hard water buildup from aligners, soak them in a mix of distilled white vinegar and lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Then, brush gently with a soft toothbrush and rinse thoroughly. Avoid using other kinds of vinegar, as they may stain the aligners.