There are many different ways to straighten your teeth, Invisalign being one of the most popular methods these days. Invisalign is a great option for those who want to improve their smile in a less invasive and more discreet way than traditional braces.
Although Invisalign is easier to maintain than braces, you still need to ensure that your teeth remain clean at all times. Proper Invisalign maintenance includes cleaning your aligners.
However, do you know how to clean Invisalign trays properly? Keep reading to learn how to clean Invisalign and other maintenance tips to keep your aligners and teeth in great shape.
What Is Invisalign?
To fully understand how to clean Invisalign, you need to know what Invisalign is, so let’s start with a refresher.
Invisalign is a treatment where patients wear Invisalign trays that align and straighten teeth. The Invisalign aligners are clear and removable, which is the biggest selling point for most people looking for a method to straighten their teeth that isn’t traditional braces.
The clear aligners are made of flexible plastic and apply the perfect force, allowing your teeth to move as needed. You get a new aligner tray every few weeks as your teeth move to ensure the progress continues.
Invisalign is also simpler and causes less pressure in your mouth, as there’s no need for brackets and wires. As a result, you spend less overall time at the orthodontist and have more control over your mouth than static braces allow.
Better yet, Invisalign’s clear aligners mean that your mouth isn’t overpowered by an abundance of metal, making it easy to flash your beautiful smile even as it’s a work in progress.
As simple as Invisalign sounds, the success of the orthodontic treatment still depends on proper maintenance. Let’s discuss how to clean Invisalign properly.
How to Clean Invisalign Aligners — Must-Have Tips
An essential part about Invisalign aligners is that you need to clean them regularly — even though you may only have your aligners for a few weeks.
You must remove your aligners every time you eat or drink anything that isn’t water to avoid staining or damaging them. Ensure that they remain clean while out of your mouth and when they go back into your mouth.
Rinsing your Invisalign aligners every time you remove them from your mouth may come naturally, but rinsing alone does very little to clean your aligners. Our mouths are full of bacteria that can build up on aligners over time. After you rinse your aligners, bacteria still need to be cleaned off with more than just a rinse of water. You may also have leftover food particles in your mouth that you’re not aware of that could stick to your aligners.
Plus, when you put a dirty aligner into your mouth, you introduce harmful bacteria, which may harm your teeth and gums and negatively affect your oral health.
There are several steps to cleaning Invisalign aligners and maintaining the overall health of your mouth. Here are a few steps to learning how to clean Invisalign properly.
Have the right products.
Properly cleaning your Invisalign is easier than you may think. You need only three things to clean your Invisalign aligners properly: antibacterial soap, water, and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush – not the one you regularly use to brush your teeth – gently scrub your aligners with liquid soap to remove any built-up debris or food particles. Once done, rinse your aligners thoroughly, and they’re clean!
Alternatively, there are other products that you can use to soak your aligners, including Invisalign cleaning crystals, which you mix with water to make a cleaning solution and let your aligners soak in for 20 minutes. This option is good if you want a deeper clean or are having trouble removing stains from your aligners. You can use them every day.
Rinse every time you remove your aligners from your mouth.
One of the most important things to remember is to rinse your aligners every time you remove them from your mouth.
When you remove your aligners, any plaque or saliva immediately begins to dry. If you rinse your aligners right away, you can rinse off the gunk before it dries and becomes harder to clean off.
If you’re about to eat, it’s best to go to the bathroom and remove your aligners to be able to rinse them right away. Also, don’t forget to keep your trays in their protective case and never out in the open.
Don’t forget to take care of your teeth.
It doesn’t matter how much you clean your Invisalign aligners if you aren’t taking care of your teeth. Proper oral hygiene goes hand in hand with maintaining your Invisalign aligners and dramatically influences your treatment’s success.
Brushing with toothpaste and flossing your teeth before putting your Invisalign aligners back in is a good idea to catch any trapped food particles, which can lead to tooth decay and bad breath.
Conclusion: How to Clean Invisalign Properly
The success of your Invisalign treatment depends on how well you maintain your aligners, including regular, thorough cleaning. Learning how to clean Invisalign aligners is a crucial part of maintenance, so it’s essential to learn how to clean them early on. Luckily, cleaning isn’t too difficult, making it easy to maintain your Invisalign and have a successful treatment.
We’ve got you covered if you’re in the Shelburne area and think you’re ready to improve your smile with Invisalign. At Shelburne Village Dental, we can help you throughout your Invisalign process. Learn more about our Invisalign services.
