Invisalign is a modern and comfortable solution for straightening your teeth. It is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Invisalign aligners can be just as effective for solving a wide range of orthodontic issues and have the additional benefit of being much less noticeable in the mouth. In this article, we discuss how to care for your Invisalign to preserve its appearance and avoid damage.
How to Care for Your Invisalign
Typically, patients have to change their Invisalign trays for a new set every two weeks. However, it does not mean that you do not need to take proper care of your aligners during the two weeks you wear each set. In fact, taking proper care of your Invisalign can help preserve your oral health, avoid irritation and discomfort in the mouth, and make wearing your Invisalign aligners a more comfortable process overall.
Here are some tips on how to take proper care of your aligners.
Clean Your Invisalign Well
Cleaning your Invisalign thoroughly and regularly not only keeps your aligners in good condition but also ensures your oral health. If you do not clean your Invisalign regularly, bacteria will linger in the mouth, and you may develop issues such as bad breath, a persistent bad taste in the mouth, cavities, and gum disease.
We recommend cleaning your aligners twice a day, at the same time when you brush and floss your teeth. You should also rinse your trays during the day every time you take them off and before putting them back in your mouth.
Choose the Right Products
Be careful when choosing the products for cleaning your Invisalign trays. Avoid abrasive toothpaste (for example, toothpaste containing soda, charcoal, or whitening ingredients) and hard-bristled toothbrushes, as both these products can scratch the surface of your aligners. Scratched aligners appear “foggy” and thus are more noticeable in the mouth. Also, it is not advisable to use harsh cleaning products, such as denture cleaners, mouthwashes that contain alcohol and die, and scented toothpaste.
Instead, we recommend using a special cleaning product produced by Invisalign. The best practice is to soak your trays for 3 minutes in the solution before cleaning them with lukewarm water, unscented and undied soap, and a soft-bristled brush. Always rinse off the soap thoroughly before placing the trays back in your mouth. Never rinse your aligners with hot water, as it can warp them.
Prioritize Your Oral Hygiene
Always brush your teeth before putting the Invisalign aligners back in your mouth, especially after meals. If brushing is not possible, you should thoroughly rinse your mouth. Additionally, you can use an over-the-counter mouthwash for this purpose.
Cleaning your teeth before placing aligners in your mouth will ensure that food residue and bacteria are not trapped under the aligners for an extended period. Invisalign aligners fit your teeth snugly, preventing saliva from naturally moving around and cleaning the teeth. As a result, bacteria and food debris that are habitually left lingering on the teeth can cause staining, cavities, and gum disease over time.
In addition to brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day (you should spend at least 2 minutes brushing), we recommend flossing your teeth every night and using such additional tools as a water flosser and interdental toothbrushes.
Avoid Staining and Hot Beverages
As a rule, you should not eat or drink anything but water while wearing your Invisalign aligners. Chewing food with the trays in your mouth will damage or crack the aligners. Beverages like coffee, tea, fruit juices, and other dark or brightly colored drinks can stain or discolor your Invisalign. Hot beverages, such as hot water, can also damage your trays by warping them. Aligners that are damaged in any way will not fit your teeth properly and lose their effectiveness, thus hampering the progress of your orthodontic treatment.
Store Your Invisalign Properly
When you take out your Invisalign aligners, always put them in their case to avoid scratching, damaging, or losing them. We also recommend rinsing your aligners thoroughly before storing them in the case and before putting them back in the mouth. Do not forget to clean the case every day, too. You can use simple soap and a soft-bristled toothbrush for this purpose.
Make an Appointment at Monte Vista Dental Group
Start your orthodontic treatment with clear Invisalign aligners with an experienced dentist at Monte Vista Dental Group. Call our office today and make an appointment with one of our specialists. We will carefully examine your orthodontic issues to offer you the most effective plan of treatment.