So, you’ve made the very sensible decision to undergo treatment with Invisalign. Congratulations! They’re the invisible braces that deliver great cosmetic results that don’t mar your smile while you undergo treatment, so of course they’re super popular. Now you have your aligners, you need to know how to clean them and take care of them, right? Here’s our top tips on how to clean your Invisalign aligners. First, buy yourself one extra toothbrush, because your Invisalign needs its own!

Morning care

You should be wearing your Invisalign aligners at night, so when you wake up in the morning you should remove them and clean both them and your teeth thoroughly. Do this before and after you have breakfast, as bacteria and saliva can build up in your mouth while you sleep. It’s important we don’t incubate these bacteria by not cleaning our teeth or aligners, so do so as soon as you wake up and right before you go to bed too.

Rinse them regularly

Every time you take your aligners out, make sure to rinse them. If not, then dry saliva and plaque can build-up inside your invisible braces. This can not only make them smell a bit, but it can also lead to discolouration and the aligner cracking. Also, bacteria could continue to grow in these damp parts of the aligner, threatening the integrity of the braces and even giving you bad breath! Brushing the trays with a clear, gentle, unperfumed soap can help remove plaque and saliva.

Soak them daily

The best way to clean your Invisalign trays is with a daily soak in either a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals. Using the extra toothbrush you’ve set aside for your aligners, brush your aligners to remove residual plaque or food particles. Rinse them with clean water again before wearing them.

Take care of your teeth

Removing your Invisalign invisible braces when you eat is one of their most attractive benefits, because they don’t limit your diet. However, you shouldn’t put your invisible braces back in until you’ve brushed your teeth. Otherwise, you’re trapping food particles and sugary saliva against your teeth. Your Invisalign provide a warm and wet environment in close proximity to your teeth, making them the perfect place for bacteria to grow. This heightens your risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and cracking and discolouring your aligners. Make sure to brush your teeth before you replace your Invisalign invisible braces after meals.

Take your Invisalign invisible braces out to eat

Drinking water in your Invisalign is fine, but anything else could disrupt your treatment. The trays are not designed for chewing and biting, so they can be damaged if you put them through that kind of impact. Also, food and drink particles that would stain your teeth (like coffee) can also stain your Invisalign invisible braces. Maintain how discrete and invisible these braces are by protecting them from breakage and staining, and you’ll reach your best results in no time!

Begin your Invisalign today

If you require any advice on your Invisalign treatment or would like to find out more about our invisible braces in Maidstone, then enquire online or speak to a member of our team on 01622 730 548 to book your initial consultation! You can also read more tips on how to look after your Invisalign braces here.