People can’t tell you are wearing Invisalign until you tell them. The discreteness of these dental appliances makes them the most sought-after choice for patients with crooked and misaligned smiles. It’s also one of the best and most effective teeth straightening choices out there.
The whole purpose of wearing Invisalign is to keep them discreet so that no one knows you have them on. To make the most of Invisalign, paying special attention to your oral care routine is important. It’s also important to keep the Invisalign trays clean for aesthetic purposes and general hygiene.
Not cleaning these trays will have dirt to accumulate on them, eventually leading to bacterial buildup. This will not only make the aligners look aesthetically unpleasing but can also cause tooth decay. Here we have listed 7 easy tips for keeping your Invisalign trays clean. Let’s take a look.
Have a Proper Morning Cleaning Routine
Your dentist in Aubrey TX, will recommend you wear Invisalign at night. That’s when these trays work effectively to align your teeth and give you your desired smile perfectly. However, bacteria tend to build up at night. They don’t just gather around your teeth, but they are also likely to get into the Invisalign tray.
Having a proper morning cleaning routine can help prevent this bacteria buildup in your Invisalign tray. The best thing you can do here is to give the aligner tray and your teeth a good wash in the morning. Brush them thoroughly when you wake up. Do it twice a day, i.e. before going to bed and after waking up.
Keep them in an Air-Tight Container
Never leave your aligner trays out in the open as they can accumulate bacteria, besides the risk of losing the aligners. You’ll need to wear them for almost 24 hours. But at the time of eating, drinking, or brushing, put them in a small case. You can also buy Invisalign accessories for storing them safely. If you keep them in the open air, make sure you rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in.
Wash the Aligner Tray After Removing
The biggest benefit of having invisible aligners is that you can remove them whenever you want. Usually, dentists recommend you keep them on for at least 22 hours a day and take them out only when it’s absolutely necessary, i.e. when you are eating, brushing, and flossing.
You should rinse them every time you take them out before placing them back on your teeth. Likewise, it’s important to rinse your mouth after you are done eating. This step ensures that there’s no excess saliva or bacterial buildup in your mouth.
Never Use Warm Water
Invisalign should be rinsed with lukewarm water. Exposure to extreme heat or boiling water just to get rid of the stuck debris will ruin its shape and appearance. If their shape changes, you won’t be able to use the aligner trays. They tend to soften when exposed to heat.
Never Wear Your Trays When Eating or Drinking
Your dentist will ask you to remove the aligner tray when eating and drinking. That’s because dark-coloured food can leave a heavy stain on the aligner trays when left in your mouth for long periods.
People with braces get a list of instructions on what to eat and avoid. They can’t eat hard and chewy foods, which can break the brackets. Invisalign is invisible trays that can get stained easily, especially from beverages and coloured foods.
It’s also important to note that Invisalign isn’t designed for chewy foods, as they are prone to breakage. The food is also likely to get stuck in them. Drinking water is the only thing you are allowed to do with aligners.
Soak Them
Brushing can help remove the Invisalign tray’s dirt, but it isn’t always very effective. Sometimes, it’s best to soak your aligners in an Invisalign cleaner solution that’s designed to remove dirt, plaque, and stubborn debris from the surface. Let it soak for a few hours. Take them out of the solution and brush the surface properly. Rinse it with plain water and let it dry. This isn’t necessary every day but do it as frequently as possible.
Brush and Floss Regularly
You might have an excellent oral care routine, but you need to take special care of your oral health when you have metal braces or invisible aligners. The food often gets stuck between your teeth, leading to oral diseases, as your saliva won’t be able to wash the food particles away. Brushing and flossing regularly will keep your aligners clear and your teeth safe.
This was all about how to clean an Invisalign retainer. An Invisalign dentist can help you understand more about Invisalign trays, the cleaning procedure, and how to take care of them.