If you’re using Invisalign, you already know they’re a clear, comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces. These plastic trays slowly shift your teeth into a straighter smile. But you have to keep them clean to keep them working well and to protect your teeth.
Learning how to properly clean your aligners isn’t just about keeping them clear. It’s about keeping your mouth healthy. A simple cleaning routine helps your aligners last, prevents stains, and stops bacteria from building up. Let’s break down the easiest ways to keep your Invisalign fresh and your smile healthy.
How to Properly Clean and Care for Your Invisalign
Clean Nightly
You should clean your Invisalign aligners every night before you go to bed. While you can clean them more often, you must clean them at least once a day. Dentists recommend brushing them before you go to bed so that you can get rid of the day’s plaque buildup.
If you don’t effectively clean your aligners, you risk developing tooth decay or gum disease. The aligners stay on your teeth day and night, so your teeth and gums are essentially encased in plaque.
Additionally, your aligners can change color if you don’t keep them clean. The trays can begin to turn yellow, which reduces their invisible quality. Poor cleaning can also result in bad breath.
Use a Soft Toothbrush
When cleaning your aligners, you should avoid anything too abrasive. This includes your toothbrush. You might think that you should use a hard-bristled toothbrush to get a thorough clean. However, you will scratch the plastic aligners.
Once scratched, your aligners lose their clear quality. Additionally, scratches in the plastic allow for bacteria growth. The more bacteria on your aligners, the more likely you will develop gum disease or cavities.
Your toothbrush isn’t the only thing you should consider. In fact, your toothpaste can scratch your aligners if it’s too abrasive. To clean your trays, you can use a mild, unscented soap. Just be sure that you rinse your aligners well before placing them back in your mouth.
Avoid Hot Water
Never use hot water to clean or soak your Invisalign aligners. Hot water will warp the thin plastic. Unfortunately, if the plastic distorts, the trays will not be able to fit your teeth properly. Additionally, the change in shape can make the aligners uncomfortable to wear or alter your alignment journey.
Rather than using hot water to clean your aligners, use dish soap and cool water. You can clean your Invisalign aligners with gentle scrubbing, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a non-abrasive cleaning solution.
Store in Protective Case
When your aligners are not in your mouth, you should keep them in a protective container. Although the aligners are small, you should avoid keeping them in your pockets. This can be harmful to your aligners in two ways: hygiene and structure.
Your aligners are made of thin plastic, which can bend and break them. Additionally, unnecessary bacteria can spread to your aligners if they’re in your pocket, so keeping them in a protective case ensures that your aligners stay clean and safe.
Soak Them for a Deep Clean
While brushing your aligners is great, giving them a daily soak can provide a much deeper clean. You can use a special Invisalign cleaning crystals or a denture cleaner that is approved for clear aligners. Just drop the tablet into a glass of cool water and let your trays soak for the recommended time. This helps kill germs and dissolve plaque that brushing might miss, keeping your aligners fresh and odor-free.
Rinse Every Time You Take Them Out
Get into the habit of rinsing your aligners with cool water every single time you take them out of your mouth. This quick rinse washes away saliva and plaque before it has a chance to dry out and stick to the plastic. It only takes a few seconds but makes your nightly cleaning much easier and helps prevent stains and bad smells.
What to Avoid: Harmful Cleaners
It’s important to know what not to use on your aligners. Never clean them with harsh products like bleach, rubbing alcohol, or mouthwash that contains alcohol. These chemicals can damage the plastic, making it cloudy or weak. Also, avoid using colored or scented soaps, as they can leave a funny taste or even dye your clear trays.
Keep Your Case Clean Too
Your protective case needs love too! If your case is dirty, it can transfer germs to your freshly cleaned aligners. Once a week, wash the case with mild soap and cool water, then let it air dry completely before putting your aligners back in. A clean case helps ensure all your hard work cleaning your trays doesn’t go to waste.