How To Keep Your Clear Aligners Clean

Clear aligners are designed to make dental correction more convenient and accessible. Therefore, ensuring that your clear aligners are clean is critical to maintaining oral health. Depending on your diet, you need to ensure you clean your aligners frequently to keep them clear. Your clear aligners may be clouded by plaque residue or food without a proper cleaning routine.

Different Ways to Clean your Aligners

1. Use a Non-whitening Paste

This is the most common and easiest way to clean clear aligners. You only need warm water, a toothbrush, and non-whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste may contain abrasive contents that can scratch your aligners, making it easy for germs and bacteria to stick around.

2. Soak in Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide contains disinfecting properties that can be suitable for your aligners. Soak your aligners in a hydrogen peroxide solution for at least 30 minutes before rinsing them with cold water.

3. Use a Retainer Cleaner

Retainer cleaner is a suitable option for easy cleaning. Soak your Invisalign aligners in a retainer cleaner solution for about 20 minutes before rinsing.

How Often Should You Clean Your Clear Aligners?

Dentists recommend cleaning aligners daily, typically when you floss or brush your teeth at night. This helps remove the buildup of bacteria and food accumulated during the day. You can also clean your aligners anytime they appear dirty, such as if you mistakenly drink or eat anything with your aligners on.

Although you will receive a new set of clear aligners after two weeks, it’s worth cleaning thoroughly. Besides the extensive daily cleaning, you should also rinse your Invisalign every time you take them off.

Failing to clean clear aligners frequently can make them look discolored, causing bad breath or making your teeth appear yellow. You will also be exposing your teeth to bacteria.

How to Best Care for Your Aligners

Simple, clear aligner maintenance practices can help keep them and your teeth clean and bacteria-free. Here are common aligner maintenance tips to consider:

• Always remove your aligners before meals. Otherwise, food particles can build up in your aligners and render them ineffective.
• Do not use hot water to clean your Invisalign trays.
• Do not drink anything apart from water with your Invisalign trays on. Otherwise, you risk damaging or staining them.
• Store your aligners any time you are not using them in a container. This protects your aligners from bacteria and reduces the likelihood of losing them.

If you follow these tips, you will have an effective Invisalign treatment.

Seeking Invisalign Treatment in Reno? Contact Blue Water Dental Care

If you are interested in learning more about clear aligners, Contact Blue Water Dental Care to book an appointment. We can also help determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. Our dentists in Reno have what it takes to offer a solution to improve your smile.