When we provide you with your first set of Invisalign aligners, it’s safe to assume that you’ll be excited to begin your orthodontic journey toward an incredible new smile! To ensure your treatment goes smoothly, it’s important to practice proper oral hygiene and to keep your aligners clean, clear, and odor-free. Even though you’ll be removing your aligners when you eat and drink, they can still collect bacteria and become discolored if you don’t keep them clean.
You’ll be happy to learn that it’s both easy and affordable to clean your aligners! The friendly team at Doleski & Wolford Orthodontics have these Dos and Don’ts that will help you take good care of your aligners and keep them fresh, clean and crystal clear.
Do:
- Rinse your aligners when you remove them. A lack of saliva leads to a buildup of foul-smelling bacteria.
- Soak your aligners using Invisalign cleaning crystals, Retainer Brite or denture cleaner. This is key to keeping your aligners clean and crystal clear.
- Brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Practicing proper oral hygiene will help you avoid tooth decay. It will also prevent bits of food from getting trapped between your aligners and your teeth, to lower the risk of developing dental problems down the road.
- Brush your aligners gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Vigorous brushing can leave visible scratches on your aligners so be careful!
Don't:
- Eat or drink while you have the aligners in. Many foods and beverage can stain or discolor the aligners and make them smell bad.
- Use toothpaste to clean your aligners. Many kinds of toothpastes are abrasive and can dull the aligners.
- Leave your aligners unprotected when eating. When you take your aligners out at mealtime put them in a hard plastic container so you don’t misplace or damage them.
- Place your aligners on or near a heat source. When you have your aligners out to eat or clean your teeth, don’t place them on or near a source of heat like a radiator. This will warp the plastic material to ruin the aligners.
Questions About Your Invisalign Aligners? Contact Us!
By following these tips, you can keep your Invisalign aligners fresh, clean, odor-free, crystal clear, and safe! While it takes a little more of your time every day to clean your aligners, it will be worth it in the end when you’re left with a new and improved smile that’s both attractive and healthy! We’re always here to help so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your treatment or how to take good care of your aligners!