Invisalign offers a nearly invisible way to straighten your teeth, but it comes with responsibilities. Taking care of your Invisalign aligners is essential to maintain their effectiveness and keep your treatment on track. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple, everyday tips to keep your Invisalign in great shape from start to finish.
Clean Your Invisalign Daily
Your Invisalign trays spend most of the day in your mouth, which means they can easily accumulate bacteria. Clean your Invisalign at least once in the morning to remove overnight residue. Additional cleaning at night is also recommended for better hygiene. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a nonabrasive, clear, antibacterial soap when cleaning your Invisalign. Never use toothpaste; it’s too harsh and can scratch the plastic.
Note: Avoid using mouthwash to clean your trays. Colored mouthwash can stain the clear plastic. Stick to clear or approved cleaning products.
Rinse Your Invisalign After Eating and Drinking
Always rinse your Invisalign trays with lukewarm water after consuming food or beverages other than water. This helps remove food particles and sugars that can lead to bacterial buildup and staining. Avoid using hot water, as it can distort the thermoplastic material used in the trays.
Worn Invisalign for 22 Hours Each Day
Invisalign works best when worn for 22 hours each day. Removing them too often will extend your treatment time. Every time you take them out to eat, brush your teeth and immediately put the trays back in. The more consistent you are, the quicker you’ll see results.
Note: Only remove your aligners for eating, drinking, and brushing. Each missed hour delays progress. Keep them in while drinking water but take them out for anything else—coffee, juice, or soda—because these drinks can stain or damage the trays.
Brush and Floss Before Reinserting Your Invisalign
Food particles left in your mouth can trap between your teeth and trays. This leads to plaque buildup, cavities, or staining. After every meal, brush your teeth before reinserting your trays. If you’re not able to brush, at least rinse your mouth thoroughly. Flossing is also essential. Bits of food stuck between teeth can distort the fit of your trays. Floss at least once daily to remove debris that brushing can’t reach.
Soak Your Trays Regularly
To maintain optimal hygiene, soak your Invisalign trays daily in either a specialized Invisalign cleaning solution or a homemade mixture of water and white vinegar (a 50/50 ratio works well). This soaking process helps to dissolve and eliminate bacteria, plaque, and any calcium buildup that brushing alone might miss. Soaking also helps remove biofilm that can accumulate on the trays, which can lead to discoloration or unpleasant odors.
Note: Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or mouthwash, as they can damage the thermoplastic material. After soaking, always rinse the trays thoroughly with lukewarm water before reinserting them to avoid irritation from the cleaning solution.
Store Your Aligners Properly
When you remove your aligners, store them in their case. Leaving them exposed increases the risk of losing or damaging them. Also, trays left out in the open can collect bacteria or germs, which then get transferred into your mouth when you reinsert them.
Schedule and Attend Regular Checkups
These appointments allow your orthodontist to monitor your progress, confirm the trays are aligning your teeth correctly, and make any necessary adjustments. Missing these checkups can extend your treatment timeline and even compromise the final results by allowing minor issues to go uncorrected.
If you notice any discomfort, misfit, or damage to your trays, it’s important to address the problem immediately. Early intervention can prevent further complications. Issues such as tightness, gaps, or irritation are common but easily fixable with prompt attention.
For your convenience, we offer same-day adjustments to keep your treatment on schedule and ensure the best possible fit. Don’t hesitate to contact us for any concerns or to book your next checkup—our team is ready to help you stay on track to a perfect smile.
Manage Any Discomfort
It’s normal to feel some pressure or discomfort when switching to a new set of trays. This is a sign that your teeth are moving. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease the discomfort. You may also experience slight irritation on your gums or tongue, which usually subsides in a few days. If the edges of your aligners are sharp or uncomfortable, speak with your orthodontist. They can adjust or smooth the trays if necessary.
What To Avoid
- Don’t eat with your trays in. Eating with your Invisalign trays can cause cracks, stains, and distortions in the aligners. Always remove them before meals.
- Don’t drink anything other than water with trays in.
- Don’t use toothpaste to clean your aligners.
- Don’t leave your aligners out of the case.
- Don’t use hot water to rinse or clean your trays.
- Don’t skip wearing your trays for extended periods.
- Don’t smoke while wearing aligners. Smoking can stain your trays and affect your oral health. If you smoke, remove the trays.
- Don’t ignore fit issues or discomfort.
Get Invisalign at New You Dental Center
To determine if Invisalign is the best options for you, schedule a consultation with our dentists. During your visit, our dentist will thoroughly examine your oral anatomy and dental health, addressing your primary concerns. We will take digital X-rays, photographs, and impressions of your teeth to assess their alignment. If you are considering Invisalign, we will send your records to the Invisalign lab to create a digital representation of your expected results.