It’s important to clean your Invisalign aligners regularly to maintain good oral health.
If you have decided to go ahead with Invisalign treatment, you have taken the first step towards a healthier smile. But it’s important to understand that if you want to maintain your oral health throughout your orthodontic treatment, you will need to take proper care of your clear aligners. Part of this includes cleaning your aligners every day. Even though your clear aligners will be replaced every couple of weeks, you must keep them clean for the sake of your smile. Read on to find out how.
1. Clean your aligners
To take proper care of your aligners and to ensure that they are properly cleaned, you should rinse your aligners every night. As well as nightly rinsing, you should brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle liquid soap — this will help to get rid of any food particles and other debris that may have built up during the day. After you have brushed your aligners, rinse them
2. Consider additional cleaning products
Regularly rinsing and cleaning your aligners are essential steps in maintaining both the condition of your appliance and the health of your smile. To ensure an extra-thorough clean, you might consider using a sterilising solution that is specially formulated for Invisalign. To use this solution, you soak your aligners for the recommended length of time (usually around three minutes) before rinsing and brushing them with warm water.
3. Make it a nightly habit
Ideally, you should clean your aligners every night. Make it a habit by doing so at the same time you brush and floss your teeth before bed. This will ensure that you get rid of any food particles, plaque, and other debris that may have accumulated throughout the day.
As well as nightly cleanings, you should also clean your aligners whenever you notice them becoming visibly dirty or discoloured. It’s also advisable that you rinse your aligners every time you take them out of your mouth.
4. Remove your aligners when you eat
Although your clear aligners are made from very durable materials, the pressure of chewing can cause them serious damage. For this reason, you must remove them every time you eat a meal or snack. The good news is that because your aligners are removable, you don’t have to deal with any dietary restrictions throughout your orthodontic treatment. Just be sure to brush your teeth after you have eaten and rinse your aligners before placing them back in your mouth.
5. Avoid chewing gum
You must remove your aligners before you eat, and the same goes for chewing gum. Never chew gum while you are wearing aligners as this can cause damage to your appliance and delay your treatment plan. If you chew gum with your aligners, the gum will likely stick to your aligners. This can stain the aligner and also contribute to the build-up of bacteria.
Rather, enjoy your gum without your aligners in your mouth. Be sure to choose one that is sugar-free, and remember that you need to wear your aligners for around 22 hours a day, so don’t chew on gum for hours at a time as this could delay your treatment results.
6. Only drink water
The only beverage you should drink while you are wearing your aligners is water. One of the main benefits of Invisalign is that it is so discreet. If you drink beverages like coffee or juice, you risk staining the transparent plastic, which will detract from your beautiful smile.
You can, of course, drink other beverages during your treatment, as long as you remove your aligners to do so. Just remember that sugary and acidic drinks increase your risk of gum disease and tooth decay and should be enjoyed in moderation only.
7. Use the case
One of the best things you can do to keep your aligners safe from germs and damage is to store them properly in a container whenever you are not using them. If you leave your aligners out in the open air for extended periods of time, they could be exposed to bacteria, plus you run the risk of losing or damaging them.
Your dentist will provide you with a special case for your aligners, and you should use them. Take it with you when you leave the house so that you always have a safe place to keep your aligners while you enjoy a meal or snack.
How can we help?
At G Dental, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services for patients of all ages. One of the most popular treatments that we offer is Invisalign, a discreet solution for straightening teeth.
If you would like to straighten your smile and are wondering if you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign, we encourage you to come in and see us so that we can advise you. If the treatment is right for you and you decide to go ahead, we will have aligners custom-made to fit your mouth. Your teeth will gradually shift positions, so a new set of aligners will be created every two weeks to keep up with the changes in your mouth.
To find out more about Invisalign and what the process involves, please have a look here.
To find out more about the treatments that we provide, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation, please get in touch with us here or give us a call at 03 9435 6063