Starting your Invisalign treatment is an exciting moment in your life. In just six months or two years, you will have a brand new smile with help from our Invisalign dentists at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics in Spokane Valley. Once you take home your aligners, it’s important to know exactly how to care for your Invisalign aligners for the duration of your treatment to keep your teeth healthy and your aligners intact. Use our tips to keep your Invisalign aligners clean!
How to Clean Your Invisalign Trays
To clean your Invisalign trays, you will want to either purchase the Invisalign cleaning system kit such as the Invisalign cleaning system crystals or use one of our recommended options. An alternative to the cleaning tip is using a retainer cleaning product, clear gentle liquid soap, or equal parts white distilled vinegar with water. Each of these solutions will help remove plaque and bacteria from your aligners and keep your mouth fresh!
Start Your Day With an Intense Cleaning Session
One of the first steps to keeping your teeth and Invisalign aligners clean is starting your day with a fresh mouth. After you wake up, remove your aligners and eat breakfast. Once you’re finished, you will want to brush and floss your teeth and clean your trays thoroughly. This will set you up for a full day of clean and fresh breath.
Brush After Eating
As annoying as it may seem, it’s important that you always brush your teeth before putting your Invisalign aligners back in after eating a meal. Otherwise, the bacteria left on your teeth will end up on your Invisalign aligners where they can stain and flourish. You should also rinse your aligners before placing them back in your mouth if you’re unable to thoroughly clean them.
Don’t Use These Products to Clean Your Invisalign Aligners
NEVER use mouth wash, toothpaste, colored or scented soaps, or anything abrasive. Using any of these products to clean your Invisalign aligners can harm them which can set you back in your treatment.
Soak Your Aligners Once Per Day
One way to make sure your Invisalign aligners are as clean as possible is by soaking them in Invisalign cleaning crystals or denture cleaner once per day. You can then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush off plaque or food debris from the aligners.
Have any other questions about your Invisalign treatment? Drs. Ken and Marnie Collins are here to help. Please contact our Spokane Valley cosmetic dentists today at (509) 927-2273 for additional assistance with Invisalign care.
