5 Tips for Taking Care of Your Clear Aligners

Nothing is more satisfying than having a beautiful smile. If you have issues with alignment or crowding, braces are the most common way to make your teeth look perfect. The average length of time that you will need to wear braces is about 2 years, but this will also depend on your individual issues and how well you follow our orthodontist’s instructions.

Removable clear aligners may a great choice if you want to avoid the appearance of braces.

Clear aligners will prevent untrained eyes from noticing that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment as they are invisible; this why Invisalign is also referred to as invisible aligners.

To maintain your aligners’ optimum condition for longer and eschew health complications, you must take good care of them.

Here are the top 5 tips for taking care of your removable clear aligners.

1. Always Rinse Your Aligners When You Remove Them

If you are wearing clear aligners, you will always have to remove them when you eat. When doing so, make sure to rinse them immediately. It’s best not to procrastinate the rinsing process because there is a chance you may forget.

Why is rinsing crucial?

Your mouth has numerous bacteria, and each time you wear your aligners, you risk imparting this same bacteria onto your aligners. Cleaning the aligners every time you remove them means that there will be a smaller chance for the bacteria to build up on them.

2. Only Use Lukewarm Water to Clean Your Invisalign

Plastics are subject to expansion and contraction when exposed to extreme temperatures. Make sure to not use hot water or freezing-cold water to clean or rinse your removable clear aligners.

We recommend using water that is lukewarm or room temperature. You can also ask our orthodontic specialist for the recommended cleaning solution.

3. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Before Each Wear

As already mentioned, your mouth contains bacteria. After brushing and flossing, this bacteria begins to build up again. This is why you always have fresh breath soon after brushing your teeth, and it then changes with time.

Hence, you should brush and floss your teeth before you wear your clear aligners. It will help you avoid dental complications due to defects in oral hygiene and help to keep a clean mouth for longer.

4. Avoid Using Toothpaste on Your Invisalign

Toothpaste is abrasive to plastics, which means it can be damaging to your Invisalign aligners.

Toothpaste can scratch the smooth surface of the aligners, making them uncomfortable in the mouth. It can also create tiny scratches inside the aligners which can further harbor bacteria. Toothpaste may seem like a quick and easy way to clean your aligners, but there are better options for doing so.

Our orthodontic specialist can recommend a safe mouthwash solution for quick mouth cleaning.

5. Avoid Colored Drinks

Colored drinks can easily stain your aligners due to the dye in the ingredients, so it’s best to avoid them. Juices, colored water, and any other drink with color should be consumed after you remove your Invisalign. If you have any questions on what is safe to use and what isn’t, please consult with our orthodontic specialist first.

Are you looking to get the perfect smile without having to sacrifice your looks? Invisalign may be the solution for you. We also offer clear and lingual braces that are discreet if aligners aren’t the best option for your individual needs. Our Los Angeles orthodontist, Dr. Zamani, is ready to help you discover your TruSmile today. Call our office or complete a virtual consult today to get started!