Invisalign treatments offer many advantages, but to ensure they remain effective, hygienic and comfortable, it is essential to clean your clear aligners properly.
Dr. Normand Bach shares his best tips for maintaining your aligners and ensuring the effectiveness and comfort of your treatment.
Why Clean Your Clear Aligners?
Even though your aligners are replaced every few weeks, regular cleaning is still essential.
Every day, food debris and bacteria can accumulate in the corners of your aligners if they are not cleaned properly.
Poorly maintained aligners can gradually become yellow and lose their shine, develop unpleasant smells and lead to the growth of bacteria. In the long term, this can harm your oral health and slow down the progress of your treatment.
The ideal solution is to clean your clear aligners on the surface daily and give them a thorough clean once a week.
Daily Cleaning
For optimal maintenance, clean your aligners every time you brush your teeth, or at least twice a day.
This will prevent you from putting dirty aligners back on clean teeth, thereby limiting bad breath and the formation of tartar and cavities.
When cleaning your aligners, there are a few good habits to adopt.
Use a Soft Toothbrush
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your aligners. Bristles that are too firm can scratch your aligners, while excessive pressure can deform them.
Use Lukewarm Water
Avoid cleaning your aligners with hot water, which could alter the shape of the plastic. Warm or cold water is enough for effective cleaning without the risk of deformation.
Choose a Mild Cleaning Product
Clean your aligners with non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap. Toothpastes that are too grainy can scratch the aligners and reduce their transparency.
Avoid using products containing alcohol or other harsh agents, as they can weaken and damage the aligners, and irritate the mouth.
Store Your Aligners in Their Case
When you are not wearing your aligners, always store them in their case to prevent loss, breaking, and bacterial contamination.
Weekly Cleaning
In addition to daily cleaning, it is recommended that you thoroughly clean your clear aligners once a week or every two weeks.
This step allows to remove persistent bacteria, restore the original shine of your aligners, and maintain lasting freshness.
To do so, soak your aligners for fifteen minutes using one of the following methods:
White Vinegar
Soak your aligners in a mix of vinegar and cold water, then clean them with care. The vinegar taste will disappear quickly, but the bacteria will not come back.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide, which you can easily find at the drug store, and cold water. Let your aligners soak for some time, then clean them. It is a soft and affordable way to deep clean your aligners and make them look like new again.
Clear Mouthwash
Soak your aligners in clear mouthwash to combat bacteria and remove any lingering smells. Simply rinse your aligners before putting them back in your mouth. It is better to avoid coloured products, since they can stain your aligners.
Polident and Other Specialized Products
At the drugstore, you will find products that are specifically designed for cleaning aligners. They are particularly effective because they can remove stains, offer a refreshing feeling, and completely eliminate the bacteria responsible for bad smells. Just follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Here is another tip: take the opportunity to clean your aligner’s case, because it can accumulate bacteria too.
Brief Reminder
Taking good care of your teeth during orthodontic treatment is essential.
Before putting your aligners back in your mouth after a meal, make sure to brush and floss your teeth properly. This will prevent food residue from remaining stuck between your teeth and the aligners.
However, we are well aware that it is not always possible to clean thoroughly your teeth after each meal. In this case, rinse your mouth with mouthwash or, if all else fails, with water. Take the time to rinse your aligners under the tap before putting them back in your mouth. Brush your teeth and clean your aligners as soon as possible.
Little Things That Make a Successful Treatment
To clean your clear aligners regularly is a simple, straightforward thing to do, and it is essential to ensure the success of your orthodontic treatment, prevent unpleasant smells, and maintain good oral health.
If you have any questions about caring for your aligners, or if you want to know if Invisalign is the right treatment for you, contact Dr. Normand Bach’s orthodontic clinic today. Our team will be happy to help you get a well-aligned, healthier smile.
