For those seeking the perfect smile, Invisalign braces are often a popular choice due to their highly discreet appearance. However, you may be wondering how you can keep them clean. To keep them clean there are several things you can do whilst maintaining good oral hygiene at the same time.
1. Avoid eating and drinking with them in
One of the many benefits of Invisalign braces is that you change them on a regular basis. Because of the frequent changes, there is little time for them to discolour. That said, unless you are drinking water, you should take out your aligners when drinking. Doing so stops them from becoming stained. Also, you shouldn’t eat with them still in your mouth. If you do, it increases the chances that bits of food get stuck between your teeth. You also risk damaging the aligner by eating with them still in.
2. Keeping them clean
Your Invisalign aligners will spend a large part of your day in your mouth. Cleaning them is important since any build-up of bacteria could ruin them. If you want to keep them fresh and clean, then the advice is that you clean them at least twice a day. The best time to do this is when you brush your teeth.
When cleaning your aligners, you can use unscented hand soap. If you use a coloured or scented soap you may find that when you put your aligners back into your mouth that there is an unpleasant taste. One simple option for keeping your aligner clean is to use a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water. Although simple, it will give your aligner that all-important gentle clean.
3. Don’t use toothpaste
You may think that because you use toothpaste to clean your teeth that you can also use it to clean your Invisalign aligners. While there is a difference of opinion, using toothpaste is not always a good idea. Toothpaste is known to contain some harsh ingredients and because if this can damage your aligners. Another reason why toothpaste is not the best choice when it comes to cleaning is that it will cause your Invisalign aligners to have a dull sheen. Since you have gone with Invisalign, anything that makes them more noticeable in your mouth is not a good idea.
4. Give them a good soak
So that your Invisalign braces stay unspoiled, one option is to make sure that you give them a regular soak. Ideally, this should be at least once a week. There are several different cleaning solutions available that you might use to soak them. Your dentist can tell you what the best option is for a cleaning solution. Whatever you do, don’t use hot water to soak your aligner. If you do then the likelihood is that you’ll up with them being misshapen.
5. Store them in a protective case
If you take out your Invisalign braces, don’t leave them out for any length of time. Leave them out in the open air runs the risk that bacteria may build upon them. There’s also the danger that you might lose or damage them. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to keep your case handy at all times. Should, however, you leave them out and exposed to the air what you will need to do is first rinse them, then give them a good soak and finally rinse them again.
6. Don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth
It’s vital that you keep your teeth clean. Twice a day you should remove your Invisalign aligner and clean it. At the same time, you should also brush and floss your teeth as you normally would do. Afterwards, you can put the aligner back in your mouth. If there are any fragments of food, plaque or saliva still on your teeth, it will stay trapped. Pressed up against your teeth there is a risk of it staining your teeth and speeding up tooth decay.
And finally…
It’s essential that you keep your Invisalign braces clean as it’s a necessary part of your treatment. As part of your cleaning routine, it’s also essential that you visit your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings during your Invisalign treatment.
