Proper Care for Invisalign Braces
The do’s and don’ts when cleaning and caring for clear aligners
Proper care and maintenance will enhance your overall treatment of Invisalign.
It’s true that clear aligners are easier to maintain than regular metal braces, but this doesn’t mean they don’t need to be cleaned as often! In fact, failure to regularly clean and care for Invisalign braces can not only damage their look and color but can also inhibit your overall treatment and end result.
Today, we’re discussing the do’s and don’ts when cleaning and wearing your clear aligners. By following these tips, your smile will remain healthy during your entire treatment and beyond!
What Not to Do with Your Aligners
Although Invisalign treatment offers more freedom than traditional metal braces, there are a few important things to remember when wearing them.
What to Avoid:
Certain liquids. Drinks like coffee, soda, tea and wine can cause discoloration of your clear aligners making their appearance tarnished and more visible.
Eating without removal. Chewing foods while wearing your clear aligners can cause damage and trap food that can turn into bacteria and decay.
Fiddling. Playing with your clear aligners, whether by hand or with your tongue, will hinder your treatment and could scratch or damage them.
Rushing Treatment. Teeth need to slowly move for treatment to be effective. By rushing the process, teeth can be resorbed which will make them less stable and more likely to fall out over time.
Failing to clean correctly. Without proper and frequent cleaning, clear aligners and treatment can lead to problems long after treatment has completed.
So, how should you clean your aligners? Keep reading to find out!
Trays are a breeding ground for bacteria and should be cleaned daily.
Giving Your Invisalign Proper TLC
One of the best things you can do when wearing clear aligners is to establish routines for cleaning, like placing your trays in sight as a reminder. When it comes to taking care of Invisalign braces, there are a few products you should and shouldn’t use for appropriate cleaning.
YOU SHOULD USE…
Invisalign Crystals
Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking Soda
Antibacterial (Unscented) Soaps
Distilled White Vinegar
YOU SHOULD NOT USE…
Mouthwash
Denture Cleaner
Colored/Scented Soaps
Toothpaste
We also recommend that you do not soak your aligners as they can become discolored and damaged – especially if you choose to use products with chemicals that include alcohol. Though an effective antibacterial, alcohol is too harsh on the materials of clear aligners.
Other reasons not to use denture cleaners, toothpaste, or mouthwash on your aligners is that the materials in them can be abrasive and cause scratches as well as dull their appearance.
Disposing Old Aligners
Older trays can become discolored without proper care.
When you are given the ‘okay’ to begin a new set of Invisalign for treatment, we recommend that you do not throw out your old aligners until your entire orthodontic treatment has been completed. These old aligners can be helpful if certain movements were not up to par with your treatment plan. Old aligners can also be beneficial for monitoring the progress of your smile.
Overall, Invisalign treatment is an incredibly beneficial way to straighten your smile, and over 1 million patients worldwide have seen great success with their clear aligners. If Invisalign treatment is something you’re interested in trying, make sure you mention it to us at your next appointment!
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