Are you an Invisalign wearer? If so, you know that keeping your aligner trays clean and free from bacteria is an essential part of your daily oral hygiene routine. One of the main benefits of Invisalign over braces is its discretion. However, not properly caring for Invisalign aligners can make them dirty and won’t keep them invisible.
Thus, without proper care, all the time, money, and effort you put into a beautiful smile will not be worth it. But do you know how to deep clean Invisalign retainers? This article will provide the best cleaning tips for Invisalign trays and clear retainers. So let’s begin!
8 Easy Tips on How to Clean Your Invisalign Retainers
So, what can you do to maintain the cleanliness and brand-new appearance of each set of your Invisalign retainers or aligners? Start with the 8 basic steps listed below.
1. Create a Morning Cleaning Routine
A morning cleaning routine helps ensure your aligners remain in excellent condition throughout the day. Start by removing your trays and brushing them gently with a toothbrush and lukewarm water.
This helps remove any food particles or plaque, then rinse them with water to ensure that your trays stay clean and free from bacteria. It would also be beneficial to repeat this process at night.
2. Remove Your Trays Before Eating
You can eat whatever you want during your Aligner treatment duration. However, there’s a catch! You can’t eat anything while wearing your aligners. Thus, one of the most vital Invisalign care tips is to remove your trays before you eat anything.
This helps to avoid food particles getting stuck in your trays and staining of aligners. Also, don’t forget to brush your teeth when you’re done eating. Finally, give your trays a quick rinse before putting them back in.
3. Leverage the Functionality of Your Toothbrush
Your toothbrush can be your best friend when it comes to cleaning your Invisalign retainers. Make sure to use a soft-bristled brush and gently brush the trays with non-abrasive toothpaste. This helps to remove any food particles and plaque that may have accumulated on your trays.
And the best part is that it is one of the most accessible, affordable, and simplest ways to clean Invisalign retainers.
4. Use the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
The Invisalign cleaning crystals, designed by the Invisalign company itself, are highly effective in removing any bacteria and debris that may have accumulated on your trays. They are specifically designed to clean and sanitize your trays.
But how do Invisalign cleaning crystals work – It’s pretty simple! Just put a few drops of the crystals into a cup of lukewarm water and let your trays soak for a few minutes.
5. Always Keep the Trays in a Case
You get a case with your Invisalign trays. This case is vital in keeping your trays pristine clean, and bacteria-free. People who make the mistake of keeping their trays open or in a napkin instead of their designated case often lose them or throw them away accidentally.
So always keep your trays in case when you’re not wearing them. This prevents your trays from becoming damaged or stained.
6. Stick to a Cleaning Schedule
It’s essential to stick to a cleaning schedule for your Invisalign trays. Try to brush and soak them at least once daily to keep them looking and feeling their best. You can also adapt what most orthodontists recommend.
Your orthodontist will mostly ask you to clean your Invisalign retainers every morning before putting them in and every night before taking them out.
7. Soak Aligner Trays to Disinfect Them
If you want to go the extra mile, you can soak your aligner trays in a solution of warm water and 3% hydrogen peroxide to disinfect them. This solution kills any bacteria that may be living on your trays.
Soaking your trays, disinfect them against Staph, E. coli, strep, Candia, etc. It also helps in removing tough stains. Just make sure to rinse the trays with water afterward.
8. Don’t Forget to Clean the Trays Before Breakfast
Before you put your trays in for the day, make sure to give them a quick rinse with water and clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This step is critical to remove any bacteria or food particles that may have accumulated overnight.
And it’s also critical to do it before breakfast if you want your breath to be fresh in the morning.
These 8 easy ways to clean your Invisalign retainers enable you to maintain healthy teeth, avoid bad breath, and keep your retainers looking their best. With a little bit of effort, you can ensure that your Invisalign retainers stay in top shape.
So don’t forget to brush, soak, and rinse your retainers regularly to keep them clean and bacteria-free. Thanks for reading!
Author Bio:
Dr. Satish Pai is an orthodontist and Ivy League-trained dentist who has served as a faculty at Columbia University. He believes a perfect smile makes a person look great and feel great. As the founder of Putnam Orthodontics and a Partner at Brite Orthodontics, he is dedicated to providing the best orthodontic treatments to his patients. He also writes to educate people about orthodontics, the importance of correctly aligned teeth, and good oral health. In his free time, you can find him golfing, doing yoga or surfing, and spending time with his family.