You may wonder, “Why should I clean my Invisalign aligners when it’s going to be disposed in about two weeks?”
Cleaning your Invisalign aligners become more purposeful when you understand the reason behind why cleaning them is vital. The truth is, dirty aligners can cause harm to your oral health. Thankfully, it’s not much of a hassle to clean Invisalign aligners.
All you’ll need to do is to start an oral hygiene routine that involves cleaning them daily. To get you started, read on for some important tips!
Aesthetics aren’t the only reason
As you probably know, the highlight of wearing Invisalign clear aligners is that people may not notice that you’re wearing them.
The discreet look that you enjoy from wearing Invisalign is one reason why you should clean your clear aligners regularly as it helps to prevent stains.
A dirty aligner can cause a buildup of bacteria around your aligner. Hence, leading to bad breath, plaque and gum diseases. Poorly maintained aligners tend to have a foul smell too, which could adversely ruin your oral health.
Taking good care of your Invisalign aligners can also prevent hiccups during your treatment process. It is a simple yet effective effort as you get to straighten your teeth discreetly while maintaining your oral health.
Cleaning it right
It’s important to take note of the right way to clean your Invisalign aligners to preserve your oral health as well as to prevent damaging your aligners. Proper aligner care comes from a combination of using the right technique and cleaning tools. Here’s a guide on how to clean your aligners:
Cleaning solutions 101
This is an easy option using pocket-friendly items. All you’ll need to do is to soak your aligners in a cup of lukewarm water that has been mixed with a small amount of gentle, unscented soap. You’ll need to soak your aligners for about half an hour before rinsing it and putting them back on.
‘Sterialigner’ and ‘cleaning crystals’ are products by Invisalign that are specifically made to effectively clean your aligners. Depending on the product you’re using, the steps generally involve soaking your aligners in the cleaning solution for a said amount of time, rinse and voila! Your aligners are ready to be worn again.
Aside from the options mentioned, there are several other cleaning solutions that are mild yet effectively clean your Invisalign aligners. They include baking soda, retainer cleanser or distilled white vinegar diluted in water.
Some cleaning solutions such as toothpaste and mouthwash might seem like a suitable choice but in actual fact, they’re too harsh for your aligners. Besides that, cleaning solutions with dyes or scent as well as denture cleansers should be avoided. The use of unsuitable cleaning solutions can destroy your aligners or stain them.
Quick tips
Here are the do’s and don’ts to help you maintain your aligners and oral health!
- Do use a toothbrush with soft bristles (use a separate toothbrush to brush your teeth) and gently brush your Invisalign aligners to effectively remove stubborn food particles.
- Do clean both your teeth and Invisalign aligners thoroughly, as part of your morning and night routine.
- Do rinse your aligners each time they’re removed to prevent the buildup of bacteria.
- Do soak your aligners once a day.
- Do brush and floss before putting your aligners back on or when replacing a new Invisalign tray.
- Do not soak your Invisalign aligners in hot water or placing it in the dishwasher as heat can affect the form of your aligners, and delay your treatment as well as incur additional costs as you’ll need a replacement.
- Do not eat and drink while wearing your Invisalign aligners as it will stain your aligners.
- Do not leave your aligners exposed as this could lead to more bacteria buildup.
Cleaning your Invisalign aligners properly helps to keep dental woes at bay throughout your treatment. Not only will it boost your oral hygiene routine, it also helps to maintain your oral health. Contact us at i.Dental if you would like to find out more about Invisalign or have questions about aligners care.
