How To Take Care Of Your Invisalign Aligners

If you notice that your teeth are misaligned and looking for ways to fix them, in a discrete way, then Invisalign treatment will be the right choice for you. If you have not heard of it already, this treatment will straighten your teeth with a set of clear trays that will need to be changed every two weeks. They will help you improve your bite and also align your teeth. In this blog post, we will give you advice on how to take care of your Invisalign trays and how to keep them as clean as possible. 

What Are Invisalign Aligners?

Firstly we will explain what Invisalign is. They are clear plastic trays that will be designed to fit your teeth perfectly. They will be designed in the dental laboratory to fix exactly your teeth and over time they will straighten them. In order to achieve this they will work gently by applying pressure to specific areas that need to be shifted. 

When compared to metal braces, Invisalign trays will have many benefits including the fact that they are more aesthetically pleasing and because they can be removed at any given time. These are the main factors that have made them so popular and why people are requesting them more and more.

Depending on the severity of your dental problems, your Invisalign treatment usually entails wearing a number of different aligners over the course of several months or even years. With the use of cutting-edge computer technology, every pair of aligners is individually manufactured to guarantee ideal fit and best outcomes.

It’s important to speak with a qualified orthodontist if you’re thinking about getting Invisalign treatment. They can assess your needs and help you decide if this is the best course of action. Invisalign aligners can provide you with long-lasting advantages and assist you in getting the gorgeous smile you’ve always desired with the right maintenance and care!

How To Wear Your Invisalign Aligners

Unlike braces that will be attached to dental adhesive, Invisalign aligners can be removed at any given time. Even though this may sound simpler there are still some factors to consider including:

• Be sure to keep your aligners on for at least 20-22 hours a day so only take them out to drink, eat and while you are cleaning them. 
• When wearing aligners, always consume cold water; otherwise, you run the risk of discoloring or breaking them.
• Although it may be uncomfortable wearing them in the beginning, do not remove them. You will shortly get used to the feeling and they won’t hurt anymore. 
• Loosen the aligners all the way around and then take them out at the same time from both sides of the rear. Your aligners might break if you pull or pull on them from the front or one side.
• Get in touch with us right once if your aligners are broken or lost. Our orthodontist will make a new pair for you. 
• Wearing your aligners as prescribed is important. Your next set of aligners won’t fit if your teeth don’t move as intended.
• Never throw away your last pair of aligners. If anything occurs to your current set, we may ask you to return to them.

What Stains Invisalign Aligners?

While it is clear that aligners will need to be removed while eating you should also know that they should be removed while drinking anything besides water. Some of the drinks that will stain the Invisalign trays can be:

• Colored alcohol, especially red wine, and cocktails.
• Drinks high in sugar will stay in your mouth for a long time and get trapped beneath the trays and we know how harmful sugar can be. They most likely also contain food coloring that will cause stains. 
• Be careful when you choose your mouthwash since a lot of them contain coloring which will leave stains on the clear trays. 
• Just like the other beverages that we mentioned above, tea and coffee will also leave noticeable stains on your Invisalign trays. 

Get Into The Habit Of Cleaning Your Aligners Regularly

Regular cleaning is one of the greatest methods to maintain your Invisalign trays. Make it a habit to wash your teeth in the morning and the evening, cleaning them both times. This may be achieved by carefully cleaning both of your aligners with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. By doing this, you’ll be able to get rid of the germs in your aligners that would otherwise harm your teeth or even your oral health in general. 

Cleaning Vs. Rinsing Invisalign Aligners

When it comes to Invisalign, brushing and cleaning make a big difference. Although both are important, rinsing can only remove the build-up dirt on the surface, while when you clean them you will also remove the unseen bacteria underneath. Furthermore, we have included some basic tips on how to rinse and clean your Invisalign trays daily:

• Every time you eat something rinse your Invisalign trays before putting them on.
• Use another toothbrush (not the one you brush your teeth with) to clean your Invisalign. This toothbrush should be soft-bristled and gentle in order to not scratch the trays. Add some clear liquid soap and scrub gently. This way you will remove any food particles or bacteria that have accumulated through the day. 
• If you are not using the trays for the moment, keep them in a protective case that the dentist will provide you. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Aligners?

You should clean your aligners every night, always at the same time you wash and floss your teeth. This helps in clearing away any food particles, dirt, and germs that you accidentally gather during the day. You may also clean your Invisalign if they get dirty,  such as in cases when you accidentally drink something with color while wearing them or if you put them on too fast after eating.

In addition to this, you should also keep in mind to give your aligners a rinse every time you put them on. Even when you replace your aligners every two weeks, you should still give them a thorough cleaning. Failing to do so may result in poor breath or discolored aligners that make your teeth appear yellow. Furthermore, your teeth will be exposed to bacteria that have accumulated over time. 

Are There Any Cleansers You Should Avoid?

Although you might think that it takes a simple cleanser to clean them this is not the case. Some of them can be harsh or damage the surface of the aligners and some of these examples include:

• Toothpaste.
• Soaps that are scented.
• Denture cleaners.
• Mouthwashes that have alcohol percentage. 
• Cleansing soaps that have added dyes, since they will eventually stain the Invisalign. 
• Be careful to not use a hard-bristled toothbrush since it can scratch your trays, making them look cloudy. 

When You Remove Your Aligners, Make Sure You Rinse Them

One of the most important things that your dentist will recommend is that you give your aligners a rinse whenever you remove them. This will help remove the saliva and any bacteria that are stuck. Although it may be difficult to rinse them when you are outside your home always keep a water bottle with you-otherwise, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. 

Soak Your Invisalign Aligners Daily

If you dont want your aligners to have an odd odor, be as hygienic as possible and look as good as new you should soak them every day. In order to do so simply put some cleaning crystals you can buy at any supermarket in a glass full of warm water (not hot). Leave them in the glass for at least 15 minutes. After this time passes brush them off gently and put them on.

Do Not Eat With Your Aligners In

We know that you will get used to the feeling of the aligners quite soon and you may even forget you have them on at times. However, keep in mind to always remove them when you eat or drink something that may stain them. The only thing that can be consumed while still having them on will be water. This will also help you keep your teeth and gum healthy. 

Make Sure You Brush And Floss Whenever You Remove Your Invisalign

When you put your aligners on, any food particles or plaque that get stuck in your gums or teeth might stay there for a very long time! Your dental health may be negatively impacted by this as it may result in conditions like gingivitis or cavities. So, if you want to avoid any issues, before wearing your Invisalign, just remember to clean and floss your teeth. 

Store Your Invisalign Aligners In Their Case

Make it a practice to keep your aligners in their case at all times. Put them on their own personalized case when you take them out to eat or even simply to wash your teeth! If not, you risk breaking or even unintentionally scratching your aligners. Just make sure you always have your case with you to keep them secure and avoid damage.

Don’t Use Colored Or Scented Cleaners

While many cleaners will work great for Invisalign, there are certain ones it would be best to avoid. The transparent aligners may become tinted by colored soaps, giving the appearance of stained teeth. Remaining residue from scented soaps may also make the trays taste awful. Using mouthwash on your aligners is also something you should try to avoid since most of them contain coloring that will most likely cause stains on the plastic. Additionally, they could have strong substances that harm the Invisalign trays.

Don’t Eat Or Drink With Aligners

Besides water, you should not keep your aligners on if you are drinking or eating anything else. Since other foods and drinks can stain them it is advised that you always remove the trays. Stains from food might also appear on the aligners. They can sustain damage since they are not made to withstand the weight and impact of food. Additionally, food may become stuck in the aligners. Carry your Invisalign case along with you so you may remove them and store them whenever you need to eat or drink.

Don’t Leave Them Out Without Protection

It is advised that you wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. You will, however, occasionally take them out for other purposes, such as eating or tooth cleaning. Once you have, protect the aligners by placing them inside the protective case that will be given to you since the beginning of the treatment. They may gather food particles, bacteria, or other material that you don’t want in your mouth if you leave them out. However not keeping them on for the right amount of time will result in improper fitting, so always try to wear them on for as long as it is needed. 

Don’t Use Hot Water

Even though hot water works great in eliminating bacteria and cleaning the aligners, it will certainly damage them. The damage that they cause will make them ineffective in straightening the teeth. In addition, it is recommended that you always clean your Invisalign trays with lukewarm water. This way they will be clean and their shape will remain unchanged. 

Invisalign Cleaning Tips

Furthermore, we have included some basic tips on how to clean your Invisalign and keep them as clean and as fresh as possible. 

• Brush and floss your teeth twice daily since your saliva cannot naturally remove food particles left behind after eating while you have aligners in place. Therefore, the best way to stop germs and plaque accumulation on your teeth is to brush and floss at least twice a day.
• Eat nothing while wearing your aligners since food and liquids may stick to the transparent surfaces of the aligners and discolor them. Always keep in mind to take out your aligners before eating. 
• Avoid consuming alcohol while wearing Invisalign; the high sugar content in alcohol can lead to dental cavities. Instead, take out your aligners before consuming alcohol, and wash or rinse your teeth before putting the trays back in place. inevitably some types of alcohol can quickly discolour your Invisalign aligners, especially red wine and cocktails.
• Abrasive cleansers, like certain harsher toothbrushes, might harm Invisalign trays, so stay away from using these to clean your aligners.
• Refrain from using mouthwash since many of them include harsh chemicals that might harm the surfaces of your aligners and coloring that can stain them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do If I Can’t Wear An Aligner? 

Proceed to the next aligner in the series and add the extra days of wear time if you misplace or break an aligner. Just like you would normally do, put on your other aligner. In the case when you have just put on the new set of trays it is possible that the next one will not fit easily. If so contact your dentist and he will advise on what next steps to take. 

What Should I Do If An Attachment Falls Off?

It is sometimes possible that the attachment may come off, if this happens contact your dentist immediately for advice. In cases when only one of them comes off you won’t need an immediate trip, but if more then they will need to add the new attachments immediately. 

How Can I Stop My Aligners From Irritating The Mouth? 

Sometimes the insides of your cheeks or your tongue get irritated when you first wear a new aligner. To help soothe the discomfort in the affected area, apply a mouth sore gel. If the edge of your aligner is sharp, you may use a nail file to very carefully smooth it off. In case you want assistance with this, contact us.

Is It Normal For My Teeth To Ache?

It is considered very normal that you will feel some type of toothache when you change to a new set of trays. This will last for about two days until they begin to move. After that, everything will be fine and back to normal because your mouth is behind to adapt. If you think the pain is unbearable try taking some pain relievers.