One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign aligners is that they look invisible to the rest of the world.
But this is only true if you keep them clean.
If your Invisalign aligners get dirty, they suddenly become a lot more visible—and they might make it seem like you have poor oral hygiene. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to show you how to clean Invisalign trays.
So let’s dive in!
How to Clean Invisalign Aligners?
You should never put off cleaning your Invisalign aligners. Otherwise, they can turn into a breeding ground of bacteria. And they can start to smell pretty bad.
But don’t worry. The cleaning process only takes a few minutes out of your day.
Here’s how to keep your Invisalign trays clean and smelling fresh.
Rinse
Start by rinsing your Invisalign aligners. Make sure you run the water over both the inside and outside surfaces.
Brush
Clean the aligners using a little clear anti-bacterial soap and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t use too much pressure, Brushing too hard can leave tiny scratches on your aligners. Use gentle strokes and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure you get inside all the crevices and spend some time going over the outside as well. This will get rid of any stuck on particles easier and keep the aligners looking clean and clear.
Do soak your aligners once a day.
To keep your aligners looking and smelling their best, it is a good idea to at least once a day soak your aligners either in a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals. Once they are done soaking, use an extra toothbrush (not the one you use to brush your teeth with it) to brush off any food or plaque. Then simply rinse them before slipping them back into your mouth.
Do brush and floss your teeth before you put the trays back in.
Keeping your teeth and gums clean is also very important otherwise you will still have dental problems down the road. Always brush and floss your teeth before putting your trays back in for optimum clean mouth. Otherwise food particles could be trapped against your teeth inside the aligners, leading to dental issues.
Don’t leave your trays laying out in the open.
It is important that your aligners are properly stored away in their case when you are not wearing them. When left in the open air, it exposed them to more buildup of bacteria. Also your aligners are more likely to get lost or damaged this way.
To prevent this, always take you aligner case with you no matter where you are going. If you forget and leave them out for a few hours though, be sure to soak and rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.
Dry
When they’re done soaking, you can dry your retainers with a soft cloth or leave them in their case to air dry. Or you can rinse off the cleaning solution and put them back in your mouth right away.
Keeping Your Aligners Fresh and Clean
If you don’t learn how to clean your Invisalign trays the right way, you might trap harmful bacteria inside. This can lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems.
So don’t skip cleaning your aligners!
Are you interested in getting Invisalign Aligners? Make sure you click here to learn more about how we can help you!
