When you have finished the full Invisalign treatment and are ready to get braces off your teeth, most likely you will have a lot of questions about the process. Invisalign promise that you will have the perfect smile after wearing their clear aligners for the period of time. However, improper care may ruin your chance to achieve the goal.

Remove your aligners

Aligners are not meant to be worn at night, so remove your aligners after eating.

• Clean your aligners with a toothbrush and warm water.
• Use a toothbrush to remove any debris or food particles that may have gotten caught in the grooves of your aligner.
• Rinse your aligners with water and then dry them thoroughly with a paper towel. You can also use a soft cloth to help dry off excess moisture after rinsing with water.

If you want to use soap while cleaning your aligners, make sure that it’s non-abrasive and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that could damage the plastic material used in Invisalign. Use only a small amount of soap and rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Clean aligners with a gentle toothpaste

Clean your aligners with a gentle toothpaste, such as Crest Pro-Health. Be sure to rinse the toothpaste out after brushing.

You can clean your aligners with soap and water, but this may cause them to slip and slide around on your teeth. If you choose this method, be sure to dry them thoroughly before putting them back in place.

We recommend that you only use water or an alcohol-free mouthwash when cleaning your Invisalign trays. You should not use any other products or materials with Invisalign trays because these products may damage the tray.

Soak aligners in antiseptic tablets

The cleaning process is the same for Invisalign and traditional metal braces: Soak them in water and then brush them with a toothbrush. Rinse them again, and then you’re done.But if you’re using Invisalign, there’s one additional step to take when cleaning your aligners: Soak them in antiseptic tablets or drops before you put them back on. This will kill any germs that might have built up while they were off your teeth.

Brush and floss teeth

Brush the aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride dentifrice, such as Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield or Crest Pro-Health Clinical Protection, to remove plaque and food particles before inserting the aligners.

Wash with warm water, wiping the aligners to remove any remaining foreign matter after brushing.Floss between each of the aligner’s teeth with a floss threaded or an interdental brush.

Let aligners dry

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom made for your teeth. These aligners will gradually shift your teeth into the perfect position. You’ll wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before switching to the next set.

Here are some tips to keep your Invisalign trays looking and feeling great:

• Don’t eat hard foods or sticky foods, such as caramel or taffy, until after treatment is complete. These can damage or break your aligners.
• Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day. The more you wear them, the faster your treatment will progress. However, if you have any discomfort or pain while wearing them, take them out immediately and call us at (980) 658-0060 so we can help you find another solution.
• Let your aligners dry before putting them back in. They are water resistant but not waterproof and shouldn’t be worn in the shower or pool!

Use an Invisalign cleaning system every day

Invisalign is a clear alternative to traditional braces. It uses a series of removable aligners that gradually move your teeth into place. The aligners are made of smooth, comfortable plastic and are nearly invisible when worn.

Invisalign works best if you follow a strict cleaning routine. Here’s how:

• Use an Invisalign cleaning system every day as instructed by your orthodontist. This will remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria from the aligners. You can also brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste or use a fluoride rinse.
• Wash your hands before handling the aligners.
• Brush each aligner with warm water and mild soap to remove food particles or other debris that may be stuck in the grooves or crevices of the aligner. Rinse thoroughly with warm water after brushing each aligner with soap, but don’t scrub too hard — this could damage the surface of the aligner.
• Rinse each aligned before putting it back in your mouth by running water through the tray with your finger in front of it. This will help ensure that no food particles remain inside them during wear time.

Don’t use hot water

If you have a dishwasher, don’t use it for your Invisalign trays. The high temperatures could cause the plastic to warp, causing the aligners to fit incorrectly.You can wash your Invisalign trays by hand with mild soap and warm water.

Use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean any debris from around the teeth and gums. You can also soak your aligners in a cup of warm water mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda if they become soiled between uses.

Handle your trays with care.

Invisalign trays are made of a plastic material. To prevent scratches and other damage, you should handle them with care. If you drop the trays, they may crack or break.

To clean Invisalign trays:

• Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush away any debris that has stuck to the tray surface.
• Wipe the tray with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. You can use water or an alcohol-free disinfectant such as rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to clean your trays. Alcohol-based products may dissolve some of the materials used in making Invisalign trays and should not be used on them.
• Wipe down any rough edges on your trays with an alcohol pad (rubbing alcohol) or another cleaning product designed specifically for plastics like Windex or 409 cleaner.

Conclusion

Once you’ve mastered the cleaning process, there’s really nothing to worry about. You’ll only have to do it once a week, and in time, you should notice a marked improvement in your smile. The more regularly you clean your Invisalign, the happier you’ll be with your smile.