Once you get Invisalign aligners, you should learn how to clean them. If you fail to clean them properly, the aligners will discolor, and bacteria will build up. The bacteria will cause bad breath and affect your oral health.
Below are the dos and don’ts of cleaning the Invisalign trays.
The Do’s of Cleaning Invisalign Trays
Clean Your Aligners and Teeth Every Morning
As you sleep, bacteria build up in your mouth and inside the aligners. The bacteria then affect your oral health and leads to bad breath. Establishing a morning routine is vital for your oral hygiene. It would be best to clean your teeth and Invisalign trays every morning to get rid of bacteria.
Other than the morning routine, also clean the Invisalign tray and teeth before you go to bed.
Soak Your Invisalign Trays Once per Day
To keep your Invisalign trays looking good and smelling good, you have to soak them at least once every day. Soak the Invisalign trays in the Invisalign cleaning solution, which removes bacteria and keeps the aligners clean and sanitized.
When you visit your invisalign dentist, ensure you get the best Invisalign cleaner. Soak them for about one hour, then using a soft brush, remove any excess buildups, and rinse in clean water before putting them back.
Brush Your Teeth Before Putting the Invisalign Trays Back
When you eat, food particles might get stuck between your teeth. So, it would be best to brush and floss your teeth after every meal.
Putting back your Invisalign trays in a clean mouth will help maintain healthy oral hygiene. With a clean mouth, you will easily avoid cavities and the buildup of oral bacteria.
Rinse Your Invisalign Trays Every Time You Remove Them
This is an essential and simple routine to keep your Invisalign trays clean. Whenever you remove your Invisalign trays, ensure you rinse them with warm water before wearing them back. Rinsing them with warm water will prevent saliva and plaque from building up on the surface.
When dried saliva builds upon the aligner’s surface, it creates room for bacteria to grow, which will affect your oral health.
The Don’ts of Cleaning Invisalign Trays
Don’t Use Toothpaste When Brushing the Invisalign Trays
As part of maintenance, it is advisable to brush your Invisalign aligners regularly, but you should not clean them with toothpaste. Some toothpaste brands have abrasives like baking soda. The abrasives remove plaque and food particles from your teeth.
However, when you use the toothpaste on aligners, it rubs off the plastic causing scratches to the aligner’s surface. The scratches will leave more room for food particles to stick on the aligners, which will cause bacterial buildup.
Don’t Leave Your Invisalign Trays Laying Out in the Open
When not wearing your aligners, you have to store them properly. Store your aligners in their case to avoid exposure to bacteria. When you expose your Invisalign trays to the open air, they tend to absorb bacteria and when you wear them back, they affect your dental health.
Other than maintaining cleanliness, properly storing your aligners keeps them safe from damage or getting lost. Always remember to carry your aligner’s case whenever you are traveling. If you forget and expose your aligners out in the open, be sure to soak them before wearing them back.
Don’t Clean Your Invisalign Trays With Mouthwash
Mouthwash contains alcohol and dye, which can be harmful to your Invisalign trays. Dyes will decolorize your Invisalign trays, making them lose their colorless look. Alcohol will damage the plastic and cause scratches that will give bacteria room to buildup.
Other than causing harm to the aligners, mouthwash will not clean the Invisalign trays well. Also, mouthwash will not remove bacteria and plague stuck on the Invisalign trays, making them stain with dirt and cause bad breath.
Your smile is the best makeup you put on every day. You need to take good care of your Invisalign trays to maintain good oral hygiene. If you follow the tips above on the dos and don’ts of cleaning your Invisalign trays, it will be easy for you to maintain a clean aligner and make them last longer.