How To Care For Invisalign Clear Aligners
How To Clean Invisalign Aligners
Twice a day, you will need to give your aligners a quick scrub. Regular cleanings help you avoid having bad breath or complications from leftover food particles in your aligner.
It’s easy to add aligner cleaning to your existing brushing routine. Follow these simple steps to get your aligners spotless:
- Turn on your faucet. Run your hand underneath the water and dial in a mild temperature. You don’t want to set it to an overly hot or cold setting.
- Set your aligner in the palm of your hand. Gently scrub the aligner using small circular motions. You can use toothpaste or soap for this step.
- Make sure that you clean every part of the aligner’s surface.
- After you have finished scrubbing, gently wash the aligner in the water.
- Once washed, you can put it back in your mouth.
Caring For Your Invisalign Aligners
You must wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours every single day. Wearing them every day helps your aligners work. Without regular wear, you may wind up jeopardizing your treatment.
One of Invisalign’s perks is that they are nearly invisible. Their transparent construction can make them easy to misplace. Developing new routines can keep you from losing your aligners. We recommend that patients get in the habit of putting their Invisalign aligners immediately in a case. You will be less likely to lose your aligner if you know to check your case.
If you are planning on getting out of town for a few days, it’s a smart idea to pack your next set of aligners and your previous set. That way, if you lose your aligner, you can move on to your next one. Most of the time, you only need to wear your next aligner for a more extended period.
If you’re having trouble getting your next aligner set to fit over your teeth, then you can wear your previous aligner until we make your replacement.
We also recommend you keep a small travel tote with all of your Invisalign essentials in it. Having your next aligners, cleaning supplies, and a spare case in a centralized location can help cut down on future headaches if you can’t find your aligners.
A Few More Things to Keep in Mind While Wearing Invisalign
Your Invisalign aligners are made of a polyurethane resin that is extremely flexible and helps provide a comfortable alignment experience. That’s why you need to be especially careful about drinking hot beverages like coffee or tea while wearing Invisalign. Hot temperatures can change the shape of the aligner and affect your treatment outcomes.
Quick mini-cleans between meals can help you eliminate any unwanted food debris. Even if you are at work, a restaurant, or a friend’s house, you can still clean your aligners. Running them under lukewarm tap water can help clear any food buildup between your daily cleans. Again, be careful that you don’t use too hot or too cold water.
Start Your Smile Journey in Central Connecticut
Invisalign is a powerful and reliable way to rejuvenate your smile. Adding a few extra steps to your routine can help you enjoy a quicker treatment with less discomfort. Stopping food debris buildup helps you enjoy fewer bumps on your smile journey.
We take your treatment seriously. Dr. Rick is a proud Invisalign Diamond Plus orthodontist. He understands how to help you get the most out of your treatment. Whether you are looking for Invisalign for teens or adults, the professionals at Risinger Orthodontics can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.
We can’t wait to meet you and learn about your goals. Discover more about how to care for Invisalign during an in-office or virtual consultation.