Invisalign clear aligner treatment is meant to be easy, convenient, effective, and aesthetically pleasing. However, it will not live up to its potential if you fail to do your part. It is important that you keep your aligner trays in good shape! How can you do that? This blog post contains some helpful and practical tips.
Regularly Rinse Your Aligners
You should make it your habit to rinse your trays frequently — whenever you are about to put them in your mouth. Simply run them under cool or lukewarm water to get rid of bacteria and prevent saliva from hardening on them and causing unsightly discoloration.
Clean Your Aligners Nightly
Regularly rinsing your aligners is important, but it is not a substitute for a thorough nightly cleaning. Using a soft brush and clear, mild soap, brush all of their surfaces each night. You should also soak them for 20 – 30 minutes each day in a cleansing solution. Most patients prefer to use Invisalign cleaning crystals for this purpose; they can keep your aligners fresh without causing discoloration or damage.
Maintain a Clean Mouth
If you do not maintain a clean mouth, bacteria could transfer from your teeth or tongue onto your aligners. Eventually, this could lead to odors, stains, and other unpleasant consequences. You should try to brush and floss your teeth after each meal so your aligners always get placed on a fresh smile.
Store Your Aligners Securely
You should only remove your aligners when you eat, drink anything besides plain water, or attend to oral hygiene. When they are out of your mouth, be sure you store them securely. That means you should not wrap them in a napkin when you eat or place them on any surface where it would be easy for a pet or small child to take off with them. Many patients find it helpful to have a designated storage case for their aligners.
Mind Your Eating and Drinking Habits
Invisalign does not come with any dietary restrictions. However, there is a significant caveat that you should keep in mind. The only thing you should consume while actually wearing your aligners is plain water. If you are eating or drinking anything else, your aligners should be out of your mouth. Otherwise, you might accidentally stain or warp them.
Talk to Your Dentist if You Have Questions or Concerns
Your dentist wants you to enjoy successful and easy Invisalign treatment. Do not hesitate to reach out to them if you have any questions or concerns about your aligners or your oral health. They will do all they can to help you resolve the situation.
Caring for Invisalign aligner trays is not difficult! Use the tips in this blog post to support your treatment’s ultimate success.
Meet the Practice
The large team of dentists and specialists in our practice is proud to offer Invisalign clear aligners. We have already helped countless patients to take advantage of this innovative treatment, and we are eager to help more. If you have questions about Invisalign or how you can make your orthodontic treatment a success, reach out to our Woodbridge office at 203-712-4068.