fbpx

Caring for Your Invisalign System

Invisalign is a popular choice when it comes to orthodontics. One of the frequent questions we get from patients, and those who are considering Invisalign has to do with daily care. Here are some Invisalign care tips so you can keep your aligners clean the right way.

Invisalign Care: The Dos and Don’ts

Do Rinse and Repeat

Proper Invisalign care is simply rinsing and repeating. Every time you remove your aligners—such as when you eat, drink, brush, and floss—rinse your aligners with lukewarm water. Hot water can bend and mold the plastic into a different shape, so avoid extreme temperatures when rinsing.

Your aligners will naturally harbor saliva and plaque, so rinsing them regularly will prevent your aligners from holding onto that bacteria that will make your aligners smell bad or harm your teeth. We also recommend soaking your aligners regularly with denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, or the cleaning crystals that Invisalign offers exclusively.

Don’t Clean Your Aligners This Way

Contrary to popular belief, you should not use toothpaste to clean your aligners. While toothpaste is great for your teeth, it’s not so great for the material of the Invisalign retainers. This is because your teeth can handle more of the abrasive cleaning chemicals and whitening agents that are present in toothpaste. If you use toothpaste, it can dull your aligners and create microscopic holes where bacteria can build up.

When it comes to Invisalign care, we recommend using soap, but stay away from colored soaps. We’re sure you don’t want your aligners turning blue or green. Clean your aligners with a clear antibacterial soap to keep your aligners clean and fresh.

Do Brush and Floss Correctly

Proper brushing and flossing are also essential for Invisalign care. Before reinserting aligners, make sure to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly to avoid cavities and tooth decay. Because Invisalign is a perfect fit on your teeth, it can easily trap any harmful bacteria left behind from food and drinks.

When you’re cleaning your aligners with soap and water, brush them extra gently. If you’re too aggressive, it can scratch and leave markings on your aligners.

Don’t Expose Your Aligners to This

You should also have a carrying case for your aligners, as leaving them exposed and unprotected while you’re eating, brushing, or flossing poses hygienic risks. Not only will storing them help you avoid misplacing them, but it will protect them from germs and bacteria from the air or surfaces that can collect in your aligners.

After taking your aligners off, rinse them, soak them, and then rinse them again before putting them on again.

Another one of our tips for Invisalign care is to store them in a carrying case when you eat, drink, brush, and floss.

Do Use These Traveling Tips

Again, having a carrying case and oral hygiene kit is key to Invisalign care, especially when you travel. Depending on how long your trip is, we recommend bringing your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set. This is because you might experience difficulties with new sets if your teeth are not ready.

If the current aligners are too tight, use the previous set. If you can remove the aligners too easily, then move to the next/newer set of aligners. Ultimately, you should keep in contact with your orthodontist if you are unsure or have any questions.

We also recommend keeping your aligners with you on hand as opposed to storing them in your luggage if you’re flying. Bags can be delayed or get lost in between flights, so it’s best to keep your aligners with you in a purse or carry on bag.

Invisalign Dentist in South Florida | Dr. Andres de Cardenas

For more tips on Invisalign care, make sure to visit our blog. Don’t forget to make your next dentist appointment with us online!