7 Important Tips on Cleaning Invisalign Clear Aligners | Do’s & Don’ts
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is fabricated using a patented material known as SmartTrack™ and works under the same principle as metal braces. They both correct orthodontic issues by moving the teeth in the specified direction. However, they use a set number of trays over the treatment to move the teeth rather than metal brackets.
Invisalign® has become a breath of fresh air for people seeking alternative orthodontic treatment. For decades, metal braces were the go-to option, and most adults weren’t excited about getting orthodontic treatment, but now, you can rectify orthodontic issues using Invisalign.
Invisalign braces are sleek, virtually invisible trays designed to be comfortable, effective, and discreet. In other words, they were designed for adults and anyone who doesn’t fancy the idea of having metal wires show every time they smile.
But, to get the most out of this revolutionary treatment, you must care for them daily. Let’s get a preview of how you can care for your aligners.
What are the Benefits of Getting Invisalign Clear Aligners?
Invisalign rivals metal braces at every turn since they are effective at what they do and offer comfort. Here are some of the benefits of getting Invisalign aligners:
- Invisalign corrects several orthodontic issues such as underbite, overbite, misaligned teeth, etc.
- Invisalign is aesthetically pleasing
- It improves your oral health and overall tooth function
- Invisalign offers comfort and discretion
- Invisalign allows you to enjoy your meals
What are the Tips to Clean Invisalign Clear Aligners?
While there are tons of benefits when you choose Invisalign aligners, if you fail to care for them as you should, you will find yourself in a bind. It would seem as though you should have gone for metal braces.
If you don’t clean the aligners properly, it will lead to discoloration and plaque buildup, which will cause bad breath and affect your dental health. Your aligners will no longer have the aesthetic appeal they are designed to have, which beats the purpose of wearing them!
In any case, our Invisalign dentist near Frisco, TX, has come up with some dos and don’ts that will help you care for your aligners, and here they are:
> Do’s
- Take out your Invisalign aligners each morning and clean them. You will sleep six to eight hours, giving bacteria enough time to build up on the trays. So you will need to remove them each morning to clean them to ensure that you remove the plaque. So, you must cultivate a daily habit of cleaning your aligners once you wake up.
- Our dentist at 75024 suggests cleaning your teeth when you wake up. Since the aligners will cover your teeth, you will also expect your teeth to have a plaque coating each morning. You will be walking a tightrope if you clean the aligners and fail to clean your teeth. This is because your aligners can get smudged and lose their aesthetic appeal, and your oral health will be at risk.
- Rinse your aligners whenever you remove them. Besides cleaning the aligners every morning and evening, you must foster a new habit: rinse the aligners whenever you remove them. Rinsing the aligners will stop the plaque and dried saliva from building up.
- Soak them once each day. Another vital habit you need to cultivate is to soak your aligners at least once daily in cleaning crystals. The Invisalign cleaning crystals will eliminate bacteria buildup, foul odors, and staining from the trays. It takes about 15 minutes for the crystals to work on the aligners.
- Brush your aligners twice every day. As a general rule of thumb, you must brush your aligners twice a day, morning and evening.
- Keep the Invisalign aligners in the case. Keeping the aligners back in the case will ensure that your aligners are protected from damage and dirt will not accumulate on them. So, whenever you take them out, for instance, when eating, always place them back in their case.
> Don’ts
- Avoid using scented or colored toothpaste or soaps to clean your aligners. Any scented or colored soaps or toothpaste can leave a residue on your Invisalign, which could stain them. Your trays will also have an unpleasant taste.
- Our dentist in Plano, TX recommends avoiding cleaning your Invisalign aligners with a coarse bristle brush. Using a brush with coarse bristles can damage your aligners since it will leave streaks on the aligners.
- Avoid cleaning your aligners with denture cleaners and mouthwashes. Denture cleaners and mouthwashes, especially those containing alcohol, will also damage the aligners.
Get Invisalign Near You
Invisalign aligners offer comfort, discretion, and efficacy. However, ease of use comes with a higher level of care. If you don’t care for them, you will either damage them or harm your teeth. Contact us at Arte Dental if you have any questions concerning about getting Invisalign in Plano, TX!