Taking care of your Invisalign® clear aligners is an important part of your treatment plan. Our Mount Pearl dentists explain how to care for them while you're on the path to a straighter smile during your Invisalign® treatment.
Caring for your Invisalign® clear aligners is easy, and it's important for the overall success of your treatment.
Without care and cleaning of your aligners and regular oral hygiene habits, plaque and bacteria can build up and cause damage to both your teeth and aligners over time.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Rinse. Any time you take out your aligners, be sure to rinse them under running water before you put them back in your mouth.
Brush. When it comes time to brush your aligners (at least once twice a day), never use toothpaste as it will harm them. Only use clear, anti-bacterial soft soap and warm water, and be sure to brush them gently.
Soak. You can soak your aligners in Invisalign®'s specialized cleaning crystals once a week. These crystals dissolve in water to create a solution for you to soak your aligners in.
Repeat. Following these steps throughout your treatment will help keep your aligners clean and free of the bacteria, plaque and germs that can grow on them.
Cleaning Your Teeth
Making sure your teeth are clean will go a long way toward keeping your aligners clean and protecting your oral health.
Regular brushing (at least twice a day) and regular flossing (at least once a day) are important in preventing the build-up of bacteria and plaque that can accumulate under your aligners.
Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth every time you remove your aligners, before you put them back in. If that's not possible, be sure to at least rinse the aligners and your mouth with water until you can get to your regular cleaning routine.
Visiting Your Dentist
In addition to regular cleaning of your aligners and teeth, be sure to attend all scheduled appointments with your dentist.
Not only does this give your dentist a chance to monitor the progress of your teeth, it also helps to ensure you're on the right path in terms of caring for your aligners and following your treatment plan.