Effective ways to clean your Invisalign aligners

The advanced technology of Invisalign aligners has made them a hugely popular alternative to braces for straightening teeth, among teens and adults alike.

These clear plastic appliances are more comfortable and virtually unnoticeable in the mouth, and have the further advantage of removability for brushing and flossing and meals and snacks. And they can fix less complex orthodontic problems up to twice as fast as braces.

However, you’ll only get the full benefit of Invisalign aligner trays if you take good care of them and keep them dirt-free. Here, you’ll discover the best ways to clean Invisalign aligners, and practices you should avoid. First, though, we’ll see why it’s crucial to clean your aligners on a daily basis.

Importance of cleaning Invisalign aligners

With Invisalign treatment, you wear each in a series of aligner trays 20 to 22 hours a day. Although the aligners are designed to be disposed of every couple of weeks as you swap them for a new set, they still need cleaning. Otherwise, you’ll end up with dirty, smelly aligners in your mouth every day.

Food particles, bacteria and plaque can build up in the crevices of aligner trays just the same as they do on teeth. This poses problems such as:

• Instead of remaining almost invisible, the clear plastic of your aligner trays becomes stained and unsightly.
• The risk of teeth staining and tooth decay increases as bacteria become trapped between your aligners and your teeth.
• You get bad breath as your aligners give off an unpleasant odour.

Keeping your Invisalign trays clean will prevent aligner and tooth staining and help safeguard your oral hygiene and health. You need to be aware, too, that consuming dark-coloured foods or drinks will stain your aligners as well as your teeth, which is why it’s one of the times you should take out your aligner trays.

Can I just rinse my aligners?

When you start to think about keeping your aligners spotless, you need to keep in mind the difference between cleaning and rinsing. While rinsing your aligner trays is an important part of the cleaning process, it’s not enough on its own. It may make them look a bit cleaner but rinsing does nothing to address the problem of bacteria build-up. You need to clean your Invisalign trays thoroughly every time you brush your teeth.

Aligner daily cleaning routine

To clean your aligners effectively, you need to establish a daily routine – the same as you do with brushing and flossing your teeth.

Invisalign Nightly Cleaning Schedule

You should repeat your Invisalign morning cleaning routine each night before you go to bed, removing your aligners and brushing and rinsing them and your teeth.

How to clean your aligners properly?

To get the most from your Invisalign daily cleaning schedule, you need to know the best methods for cleaning your aligners without damaging them.

If your aligner trays get scratched during the cleaning process, food debris can get trapped in the nicks, causing bacteria accumulation, staining and unpleasant smells. Here are the basics of cleaning Invisalign aligners properly:

• Brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild toothpaste.
• Don’t use the same brush you clean your teeth with – it could contain traces of abrasive toothpaste.
• Brush gently to avoid damaging the plastic aligner trays.
• Rinse your aligners thoroughly after brushing.

Soaking Invisalign aligners for a deep clean

Besides brushing and rinsing your aligners, you need to give them a deep cleaning by soaking them at least once a day to make sure they remain dirt-free. There are various ways to do this, and it doesn’t take long.

Invisalign aligner cleaning do’s and don’ts

Here’s a quick overview of how to keep your Invisalign trays clean.

Dont’s

• Don’t eat or drink (except plain water) while wearing your aligners.
• Don’t use coloured or scented soaps to clean your Invisalign trays.
• Don’t use denture cleaners to clean your aligners.
• Don’t wash or rinse your aligners in hot water or a dishwasher – hot water can warp the plastic.
• Don’t clean your aligner trays with mouthwash.
• Don’t store your aligners where its warm or humid, which can increase levels of bacteria.
• Don’t overlook the importance of good general oral hygiene.

Keeping your teeth and gums clean during Invisalign treatment

While ensuring effective cleaning of your Invisalign trays, it’s equally important to continue to look after your teeth and gums. General oral hygiene is vital during orthodontic treatment to prevent food particles and bacteria getting stuck inside your aligners and pushing against your teeth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Fortunately, brushing and flossing during Invisalign treatment is a lot easier than it is with fixed braces, which make oral hygiene tricky. You simply remove your aligners to clean your teeth. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste for two minutes or more, morning and night. (Remember to use a different brush to clean your aligners). Floss at least once every day to get rid of bits of food and deposits of plaque between your teeth.

Research suggests that an electric toothbrush eliminates more plaque than a manual brush, and that flossing before brushing is the best way to remove food debris, harmful bacteria, and plaque from your teeth and gums. And don’t forget that regular dental cleanings are essential to support your oral healthcare routine at home, both during and after Invisalign treatment.

How to get expert aligner cleaning advice from a top Invisalign provider?

Understanding how to clean your Invisalign aligners and your teeth effectively will ensure stain-free, fresh aligners and optimum dental health, while minimising treatment time.

If you get your aligners from NoFrills Dental, we’ll explain everything you need to know about effective ways to clean your aligner trays and keep your teeth and gums healthy, and we’ll make sure we address any particular concerns you may have.

As experienced Invisalign providers with extensive experience in aligner treatment, our practice has been awarded Invisalign Diamond status – the highest level of Invisalign providers. This means we can ensure you get the best possible experience from your Invisalign treatment, including the reassurance of expert advice on aligner cleaning.