27 Oct How to Clean Invisalign Trays
In order for your Invisalign treatment to be effective, you must follow all of your dentist’s instructions. This includes keeping your Invisalign trays clean to prevent bacteria build up in your mouth. Regularly cleaning your aligners will also prevent discoloration so that each set of trays remains clear and virtually invisible throughout your treatment.
At Prescott Dentistry, Invisalign is one of the many solutions we offer to help improve your smile. One common question we get asked about Invisalign is “how do I clean my trays?” so we put together this guide to proper Invisalign care. Here are our tips on how to keep your Invisalign trays clean to ensure your treatment goes according to plan.
How to Clean Your Invisalign Trays
Gently Brush Your Trays
Bacteria can collect in the grooves of your Invisalign aligners, just like they do in your teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your aligners in the morning after you wake up, and again at night before you go to bed. Do not use toothpaste on your aligners, as many kinds of toothpaste contain ingredients like baking soda that are too abrasive for them.
Keep Your Teeth Clean
Maintaining clean teeth is important whether or not you wear Invisalign! But good oral hygiene is especially important with Invisalign, because placing clear aligners on dirty teeth traps the bacteria that your saliva might otherwise remove throughout the day. This can cause your aligners to become discolored, and increase your risk of cavities.
Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time, and to floss once every day. It’s also essential that you go to all your professional teeth cleaning appointments to eliminate bacteria from your teeth and gums more effectively.
Soak Your Trays Once a Day
You should also soak your Invisalign trays using cleaning crystals once a day to eliminate any bacteria that brushing doesn’t remove.
To soak your clear aligners properly, follow these steps:
- Rinse off your trays with warm water. Never use hot water on your trays, because it might melt them and change their shape.
- Pour a packet of Invisalign cleaning crystals into a cup filled with warm water.
- Fully submerge the trays in the liquid, and leave them to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the trays from the cup and gently brush them.
- Rinse your trays with warm water again.
Remove Trays Before Eating and Drinking
Another important thing to remember during Invisalign treatment is that you cannot wear your trays any time you eat or drink. Chewing while wearing your Invisalign trays can damage them, and drinking anything but water can stain them. To keep your Invisalign braces in good condition, make sure to remove them whenever you eat and whenever you drink anything other than water.
Properly Store Your Trays When They Are Not in Use
You should never leave your clear aligners out in the open after you remove them. When they are exposed to open air, bacteria can easily grow on your Invisalign trays. You must store your trays in a case when they’re not in use, in order to keep them clean.
It’s a good idea to take your Invisalign case with you wherever you go, so you have a safe place to store them if you need to take them out to eat or drink. Even if they were stored in a case, always make sure to thoroughly rinse your trays before putting them back in your mouth.
Invisalign Treatment in Prescott, Arizona
If you’re still trying to decide whether Invisalign is right for you, give us a call. The expert team at Prescott Dentistry can help you determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. We’re also happy to answer any questions you may have about how to keep your Invisalign trays clean. To schedule a consultation for Invisalign treatment, call us at 928-445-1660 today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (10/27/2022). Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash