Hygienic Tips for Cleaning Invisalign Trays

Invisalign orthodontic trays have many advantages over traditional braces for those who qualify, including comfort, transparency, the lack of dietary restrictions, and the speed at which teeth can be straightened.  But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to work with your dentist to be sure the process is completed in a way that gives you your ideal new smile.

Start your morning by brushing the aligners with a toothbrush, but a different one from what you use to brush your teeth. Bacteria can stick to toothbrushes and even if you have an antiseptic cover for each, this prevents any cross-contamination. Don’t use toothpaste, which can be abrasive, but instead use an antibacterial soap that is neither scented nor colored to avoid transferring the taste or affecting the transparency of the trays.

When you can take out the Invisalign trays (aka aligners) before eating, rinse them in water to remove any plaque or saliva that may have accumulated. Then place them in an orthodontic  case to keep away airborne bacteria. After eating, you should brush and floss your teeth before reinserting the trays. That way, food particles that become trapped in your mouth won’t adhere to the aligners.

If you notice that the aligners begin to appear stained, dip your brush into baking soda and lightly brush them. Or you can soak them in a bowl of half warm water and half hydrogen peroxide for a couple of hours. Consult with your dentist about a mouthwash that is effective at preventing periodontal disease, but will not discolor the trays.

At night, soak the trays for 20 minutes in an Invisalign solution of cleaning crystals and warm water or a mild denture cleaner (if you notice that the aligners start to turn cloudy or yellow, stop using the denture cleanser). Do not use hot water in the solution, as that could affect the fit of your aligners. Once you are done, rinse them in water and place them in the orthodontic case.

Set an appointment with our team at Soothing Dental, located in San Francisco and Sunnyvale, to discuss the Invisalign process and whether this might be what you need to have the confidence to flash a full and friendly smile.