Knowing how to clean and care for your Invisalign aligners is critical to improving your dental health and reducing the treatment time. While the retainers are not hard to clean compared to regular braces, they still require a high level of care. Generally, Invisalign retainers need regular cleaning to remain transparent and stainless. If you are new to braces, particularly Invisalign aligners, you are in the right place. We have compiled this braces care guide to answer all your questions on the topic.
Best Maintenance Tips For Invisalign Braces
Keep Off Hot Beverages
Since Invisalign retainers are made of plastic, exposure to heat can distort their shape and subsequently affect your orthodontic therapy. As such, you should avoid drinking hot beverages when wearing your aligners. If you unintentionally expose your Invisalign to a hot beverage, visit your dentist for a check-up and further advice.
Remove Your Invisalign Before Eating
Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners must be removed before meals since certain foods and beverages can leave them stained. Removing your aligners before meals helps to prevent food from sticking to the trays. And while food particles don’t have significant effects on the aligners, they may stick to the aligners and transfer to your teeth and gums. Over time, these specks can turn into plaque and potentially cause other dental problems.
Clean Your Retainers Frequently
Due to their shape and design, Invisalign aligners often serve as hiding spots for bacteria. You can remove most of the bacteria by rinsing the trays with water daily. Ideally, you should rinse the trays with clean water, brush them softly with a toothbrush (different from your usual brush) and clear liquid soap, and then rinse them thoroughly before leaving them to dry. Never use hot water to rinse or clean your aligners, even if it has stronger disinfectant properties. Instead, ensure your water is at room temperature and use a mild liquid soap.
Stick to Your Brushing And Flossing Routines
Maintaining a high level of oral hygiene is essential even after getting your Invisalign aligners on. The trays make it easier for solid particles to stick to your teeth. As such, brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal and before replacing the trays is critical to getting every stuck piece of food out. Of course, this works even better if you clean the trays before wearing them again.
Keep The Invisalign Trays in Their Case
As tough as they might feel to the touch, Invisalign trays are pretty brittle, and you need always to keep them in their case when not wearing them. Keeping them in your pockets or on the table increases the likelihood of getting damaged or distorted. Further, leaving your aligners in open spaces may attract bacteria, which can transfer to your mouth when you wear them. You are also more likely to lose your trays if you constantly keep them in random spaces.
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