Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm! These awesome aligners are able to quickly and conveniently straighten your teeth and significantly improve their appearance. However, it’s up to you to ensure that the trays are capable of doing their job, meaning that taking proper care of your aligners is crucial! Here are four tips to help you keep your Invisalign aligners clean and fully functional without compromising your treatment process.
Tip #1: Remove Your Aligners to Eat & Drink
One of the easiest ways to compromise your clear aligners is by failing to remove them whenever you eat or drink anything. Dark-colored foods and liquids can easily stain your aligners, giving them a noticeable tint that makes your teeth seem stained! Additionally, hot items like coffee or tea can damage or disfigure your aligners, rendering them useless. You should completely remove your aligners whenever you sit down to eat or drink; the only exception to this rule is drinking water.
Tip #2: Keep Your Aligners Clean Around the Clock
Your aligners are shaped similarly to your natural teeth, in order to help shift them into a correct position. However, this is also what makes your aligners so vulnerable to bacteria and food debris! This means it’s extra-important to regularly rinse your aligners. Even if you brush your teeth daily, you can still expose your mouth to bacteria that forms on your trays if they’re unsanitary. You should thoroughly clean your aligners every morning and evening with an Invisalign-friendly cleaning solution and lukewarm (not hot) water.
Tip #3: Properly Store Your Aligners
The golden rule of Invisalign is that you must wear your aligners for 22 hours every day in order for them to do their job. That said, you’re still responsible for your aligners for 24 hours every day, 7 days a week. When you aren’t wearing your aligners, they need to be stored in their carrying case. This sturdy case will protect them while they’re outside of your mouth—and also prevent them from becoming lost!
Tip #4: Be Diligent About Brushing & Flossing
Your aligners can do a lot for your smile, but ultimately, the rest falls on you. Practicing good oral hygiene will ensure that your clear aligners are straightening a healthy and brilliant set of teeth! Brushing and flossing daily helps to discourage food particles and cavity-causing bacteria from becoming stuck between your teeth and the aligners. In turn, it also helps to keep your aligners clean.
The success of your Invisalign treatment depends on your willingness to correctly care for your clear aligners. By following these tips, you can ensure that the smile of your dreams is delivered right on schedule.
About the Practice
The team at Dental Designs of New England is honored to serve the dental needs of the Merrimack, NH community under the leadership of Dr. Jini Shetty, Dr. Charles Braga, and Dr. Megha Saxena. Together they combine several collective years of experience in a wide range of fields to provide an exceptional level of care. Their practice is pleased to offer many available services including Invisalign. If you have any questions about Invisalign or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice through their website or by phone: (603) 429-2199.
