People who wear traditional braces have a job to manage every morning and night as they navigate their brackets and wires to clean their teeth. Invisalign wearers have it easy. It’s only necessary to remove the trays to brush and floss thoroughly at least twice a day. Nevertheless, there is the job of keeping the aligners clean themselves, and there are plenty of tips to help make this happen.
Consequences of Not Cleaning Invisalign Trays Properly
It’s important to know what you’re working for when it comes to cleaning Invisalign aligners. Yes, the trays are clear and hardly noticeable on your teeth, plus each set is only worn for a few weeks at a time, but they won’t stay flawless if you slack on taking care of them. Here’s what could happen if cleaning isn’t prioritized:
- Stains: Stains will build up quickly on Invisalign trays if they aren’t cleaned regularly or if you eat with them in your mouth. Once the discoloration appears, it’s difficult to make it disappear and your teeth-straightening method will no longer be discreet.
- Odors: If you don’t clean something – especially something that spends 22 hours a day in your mouth – it will begin to smell. Aligners are coated in dried saliva, bacteria, food particles, and other gross things – all this together leads to smelly trays and a smelly mouth.
- Tooth decay: When you have buildup on your trays, it lives snugly against your teeth until you remove the trays and clean them. This can lead to cavities, infections, and other oral health problems that could interrupt your Invisalign treatment.
Tips to Keep Invisalign Clean
There are several tried and true rules of Invisalign cleaning that, if followed, will keep your aligners clear, fresh, and nearly invisible. Here are some of the best practices:
- Clean often: You aren’t married to the teeth cleanings twice a day. It is encouraged that Invisalign patients brush their teeth and clean their trays after every meal, which would add up to five times a day. Now that’s some clean teeth!
- Keep it simple: You don’t need anything special clear your trays – use clear, unscented soap and scrub the aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you prefer, you can soak the trays in Invisalign crystals before brushing, rinsing, and putting them back in your mouth.
- No eating with trays in: Invisalign must be removed from your mouth every time you eat so damage, stains, and breakage can be avoided.
- Develop a routine: Know where you will be and when so you can plan your Invisalign cleaning around your daily schedule. A well-established routine is helpful if you can swing it.
The Easy and Amazing Invisalign
Every orthodontic alternative comes with rules, just like conventional orthodontics. Cleaning is just a fact of life and Invisalign aligners become part of your responsibility as soon as treatment begins. Brush, rinse, floss, and soak regularly so you have clean mouth and tidy trays.
Find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Schedule a consultation with certified Invisalign provider Dr. Charmaine Johnson at Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale.
