Invisalign is an attractive alternative to braces partially due to its invisibility. Many people using Invisalign do not realize that the product will become more obvious if it is stained which typically occurs due to drinking coffee, tea, wine, etc. while wearing their Invisalign aligners. In order to keep your aligners looking crystal clear, you must clean them properly at all times. Whenever you remove your aligners from your mouth, rinse them with warm water right away. If you leave the saliva and plaque to dry, your aligner will be overtaken by bacteria. It is also important to periodically soak your aligners in something like denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, or Invisalign crystals to keep it disinfected.
Although the Invisalign aligners are only worn for two weeks at a time it is still very important to practice good oral hygiene and maintenance of the aligners. After eating and before inserting your aligners, it is important that you brush and floss your teeth very well. if you leave food and plaque on your teeth, this will transfer onto the aligner and could cause a stain. Clear and antibacterial soap is also effective at cleaning Invisalign aligners. Gently brushing your aligners with a toothbrush that has absolutely no toothpaste residue on it will help work out the plaque and bacteria. This must be a clean toothbrush because toothpaste gives aligners a foggy appearance. If you brush your aligners with harsh motions, you will cause scratches that will make them more obvious in your mouth.
When wearing Invisalign aligners, it is important that you refrain from eating or drinking anything except clear unflavored water. If you drink other liquids or eat with the aligners in your mouth, stains will form and your aligner might start to smell odd.
Never use toothpaste to clean your Invisalign aligners. Abrasive formulas will make your aligner dull looking and create small holes for bacteria to hide. You should also stay away from colorful soaps because although clear antibacterial soap is a great way to clean your aligners, colored soap could tint them. Leaving your aligners exposed to the elements is a great way to both lose them and fill them with harmful, foreign bacteria. When traveling, you should make sure to bring along your previous, current, and next set of aligners. This will help if you lose a set of aligners, but it will also give you the opportunity to go back to your previous aligners if the current set is too tight.
If you lose your aligners and will be gone for more than 14 days, you may want to order a new set and have them delivered to your current location. Do not leave aligners unattended in checked baggage. Always keep them in a purse or a carry on, as luggage can be lost or delayed.
Extra aligner cases always come in handy on trips, especially if you lose one in a restaurant or need one in the car and hotel. Bring extra tooth brushes and tooth paste with you at all times, as you will need to make sure your teeth are cleaned properly before you reinsert your aligners. If brushing your teeth is not possible, make sure to at least rinse the aligners with warm water three times before putting them back in your mouth.
If you would like to gather more information about caring for Invisalign aligners, contact us today.
