Hi! Dr. Papandreas here from Papandreas Orthodontics. Today we’re going to talk about cleaning your Invisalign clear aligners. It is important to remember that, without proper care, you can stain your aligners, making them more noticeable and less attractive in your mouth. So I’m going to tell you about six things you can do to keep your clear aligners clean, feeling fresh, and looking fantastic.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush daily
Because you are wearing your aligners between 20 and 22 hours a day, they can develop a growth of bacteria in your mouth. To eliminate this growth, be sure to use a soft bristle toothbrush to clean your aligners at least once a day.
Wash your aligners with antibacterial soap
For daily cleaning of your clear aligners, use a tiny drop of antibacterial soap combined with cool water and wash them gently with your soft bristle toothbrush. This will eliminate the bacterial growth that can dull your aligners and cause bad breath.
Brush and floss your teeth daily
Orthodontists recommend brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day to remove food particles that can stain your clear aligners.
Soak your aligners overnight
If you notice that your clear aligners are becoming discolored, you can soak them overnight in either denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals to remove any stains or debris.
Rinse your clear aligners regularly
Every time you remove your aligners, be sure to rinse them thoroughly with cool water. This will clean away any food particles and help keep bacterial growth at bay. Keep your orthodontic aligners as clean as your teeth by rinsing them as often as possible.
Use cleaning crystals
Soaking your clear aligners for just 15 minutes once a week in a crystal solution from your orthodontist will keep them clean, fresh, and bacteria-free.
If you have any questions about how to care for your clear aligners, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Papandreas Orthodontics is a family-focused practice offering Invisalign, braces, and other orthodontic treatment options in a friendly and relaxing environment. To schedule your complimentary new patient consultation, please contact our Brunswick or North Royalton, OH office.