Invisalign aligners make it easy to clean your teeth during treatment because they are removable. But it’s important that you keep the aligners themselves clean, too! Here’s how.
Cleaning
- Rinse your aligners each time you remove them, as otherwise dry saliva and plaque will build up over time and create an ideal breeding ground for foul smelling bacteria.
- Brush and floss your teeth before putting you aligners back in. This will prevent food particles and bacteria from getting trapped in the tight space between your teeth and aligners.
- Clean your aligners with clear, anti-bacterial soft soap and a soft toothbrush regularly. This is a great way to get rid of unwanted bacteria and keep your aligners clean and smelling fresh. Be sure not to use coloured soap though, as this could discolour your aligners. Rinse thoroughly before putting the aligners back in your mouth.
Damage Prevention
- Don’t eat or drink anything other than water while you’re wearing your aligners. Food and drinks can stain your aligners and cause them to smell bad over time.
- Try not to use toothpaste to clean your aligners unless necessary, as it can be abrasive. This may cause your aligners to dull, and create small scratches that trap bacteria.
- Don’t leave your aligners exposed or uncovered when you’re not wearing them. Always put them right in their case (after cleaning). Leaving your aligners out in the open exposes them to bacteria, and increases the likelihood that they’ll be damaged or lost.