You already know the fantastic benefits of using Invisalign aligners to get the great smile you’ve always wanted, but you may not know how to properly take care of them. Just like other oral devices, Invisalign aligners can get stinky if not cleaned regularly. Also, the tarter that builds up on your teeth can also build up inside your aligners.
At Grace and Bowman Orthodontics – with location in Fort Walton Beach and Niceville – we want to help you get your dream smile as quickly and effectively as possible. Caring for your orthodontic equipment – like your Invisalign trays – is more thing you can do to ensure speedy treatment. To schedule your appointment or for more information on Invisalign, contact Grace and Bowman Orthodontics today.
To keep your aligners looking and smelling great and protect them harm, follow these steps care tips.
Remove Aligners before Eating
Invisalign aligners are relatively fragile, so you should take them out of your mouth and put them in a case to keep them safe while you eat. Dentists usually give patients a case to keep aligners in when not in use. This case will also help you keep your aligners clean when they aren’t in your mouth.
You can drink with your aligners in, as long as it’s not a hot beverage like tea or coffee, which will cause your aligners to warp. Also stay away from colored drinks that will stain your aligners, like red wine and fruit punch. If you are not sure if a certain drink will stain your Invisalign aligners, use a straw to drink it. This will keep the majority of the liquid away from your aligners so they won’t become stained.
Remove Your Invisalign Aligners to Brush and Floss Your Teeth
You should stick to your normal dental care routine while using the Invisalign alignment system. This includes brushing your teeth after every meal, or twice a day at the very least. You should also continue to floss your teeth a minimum of once a day. Take the aligners out of your mouth while brushing and flossing your teeth.
Clean Your Invisalign Trays Each Time You Brush Your Teeth
The perfect time to clean your aligners is when you’re brushing and flossing your teeth. You don’t need any special tools to clean your Invisalign aligners, just a soft toothbrush and some toothpaste. To properly clean your aligners, take them out of your mouth. Then brush the inside and outside of the aligners with the toothbrush and toothpaste, using a circular motion. Then, rinse the aligners off and pop them back into your mouth. You can also purchase an Invisalign cleaning kit that includes a special cleaning solution.
Deep Clean Your Aligners Every Few Days
Every few days, or at least once a week, you need to do a deeper cleaning to keep your aligners in good condition. If you notice calcium building up on your aligners, then they need to be deep cleaned. Calcium build-up looks like a cloudy-white film on the aligners. To clean your aligners and remove any calcium build-up, soak your trays in Invisalign cleaning solution. Make sure you follow the directions on the packaging. You can also use denture or retainer cleaning solutions. If you don’t have these types of cleaners, you can dilute bleach in water and soak your aligners in it. Never use mouthwash because it will discolor the clear plastic.
Don’t Be Careless
While it is obvious, it is important to point out that you should never take your Invisalign aligners out of your mouth and leave them on the counter or table. Pets are often attracted to the scent of saliva, and they will end up in Fido’s mouth instead of your mouth.
Following these methods to properly care for your Invisalign aligners will ensure that they will last for the duration of your treatment. You won’t have to worry about stinky breath, warped aligners, and other negative situations. You also won’t have to worry about losing or breaking your aligners, because you will always keep them in a case when they aren’t in your mouth.