June 30, 2022
Introduction
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment in which you are required to wear clear and custom-made removable braces to gradually straighten your teeth. Invisalign trays are made of a clear material so no one really knows if you are wearing them.
However, your Invisalign tray might start to show stains or may turn yellow if you don’t follow the right cleaning practices.
Even though Invisalign aligners or trays are meant to be changed every few weeks, cleaning them is a crucial practice.
This guide will help you prevent your Invisalign trays from getting stained and will also allow you to maintain the best oral hygiene which will give you a radiant smile.
Cleaning Invisalign trays
Cleaning your Invisalign trays is not a very complex process but is indeed very essential. Dirty aligners can cause bacteria to build up which can cause tooth decay. That was not a part of your plan, right?
Let us tell you how to clean your Invisalign trays for the best results
Dirty Invisalign trays can cause tooth decay. Here are five ways to clean your aligner trays:
Invisalign Crystals
This is the best way to clean your Invisalign trays without damaging them. Just take a container with warm water and add a packet of Invisalign crystals to it. Dissolve the crystals and soak your trays in the solution for 15 minutes. Take them out and softly brush them before rinsing them.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
You can make a cleaning solution by mixing water and 50 % hydrogen peroxide. This low concentration solution is the ideal stain remover for your aligner trays. Just soak your Invisalign trays for 30 minutes and brush them lightly to remove any remaining plaque. Rinse them with cold water and feel free to wear them.
Antibacterial Soap
A solution of antibacterial soap and water is great for cleaning your aligner trays. As long as you are using clear, unscented and colorless antibacterial soap, everything should be fine.
Colored soaps can stain your clear trays. You can soak your trays in this mixture and then rinse them well before using them.
Distilled White Vinegar
A 3:1 water and distilled white vinegar solution can be used to loosen any gunk or plaque from the aligner trays. You just need to let the trays soak for 15 minutes. After they are soaked, you can gently brush them with a soft toothbrush. Rinse and wear.
Baking Soda
Just mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Put your Invisalign trays in this solution for 30 minutes and take them out. You can use a light toothbrush to remove any loosened plaque. This solution is great for getting rid of any leftover food particles. Rinse your trays with cool water before wearing them.
Practices to Follow to Keep Your Invisalign from Getting Stained or Dirty
Follow An Oral Hygiene Routine
To get the best results with Invisalign, it is recommended to wear them at night. It is also true that bacteria work on your teeth and aligners when you are sleeping.
This is why in order to totally get rid of these bacteria, you need to follow regular morning oral hygiene.
Remove your aligners in the morning and softly brush them after you have brushed your teeth. Poor oral hygiene also causes your teeth and Invisalign trays to get stained. For the best results, do this again before you go to bed.
Remember To Rinse Your Aligner Trays
It is not practical to keep wearing your aligner trays all the time. You have to remove them every time you eat and drink. Since you have to remove them several times, it is best to rinse them once before wearing them again.
Rinsing the aligners will ensure that plaque build-up is minimized. If you can, brush your teeth or rinse before wearing the Invisalign trays again.
Soak Your Aligner Trays Daily
There is always some stubborn gunk or food that brushing cannot remove completely. If you want your clear aligners to look shiny and perfect, you should make sure that they are soaked at least once a day.
The best is to take Invisalign cleaning crystals and soak your Invisalign trays as it says on the packaging.
Once they are soaked well, take them out from the solution and brush them lightly with a soft toothbrush to remove any remaining food particles or plaque.
Rinse them thoroughly and wear them after you have also cleaned your teeth.
Do Not Eat Or Drink While Wearing Your Aligners
There is one thing that you should not do while you are wearing your Invisalign trays. That is eating. Your aligners are prone to getting stained or damaged if you eat or drink any coloured foods.
If you want to drink or eat anything except clean water, make sure you take out your aligners.
Do Not Expose Your Invisalign To Open Air
Clear braces have a tendency of drying out when left out in the open air. They can also get stained if someone spills anything on them.
It is not recommended to wear dried-out aligners because it can be a very uncomfortable experience.
How Often Should You Clean Your Aligners?
Dr. Sheena Gaur at Kirkland Premier Dentistry recommends that for the best results, you should clean the aligners daily when you brush and floss your teeth.
She explains that this ensures that all remaining food particles, gunk, or bacteria build-up through the day are effectively removed.
You should also check for signs of any visible discoloration. If you can see that they are stained, you should clean them.
Another practice to maintain clear aligners is to rinse your Invisalign every time you remove them.
How To not Clean Your Invisalign Trays?
Make sure you do not use any harsh or abrasive cleansers on your clear aligners.
– Avoid regular denture cleaning solutions.
– Avoid any mouthwash which contains alcohol.
– Scented or colored soaps.
How Often To Change Invisalign Trays?
It is suggested to change your Invisalign trays every one to two weeks. However, it totally depends on your dentist and what they suggest.
If you have any further questions about Invisalign, feel free to book an appointment with us today. At Kirkland Premier Dentistry, we put your comfort and smile foremost always.
