Tips for Taking Care of Your Invisalign Trays

The Invisalign® system is a smart choice for straightening teeth. The aligners are clear, removeable, and easy to use. So how should you take care of them?

At A Caring Dental Group, in Cleveland, Ohio, Benedict Kim, DDS, offers this popular teeth-straightening option. In this blog, Dr. Kim explains how you can take care of your Invisalign aligners, so you can get the most bang for your buck and keep harmful bacteria at bay.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a teeth-straightening system that uses clear aligners to gradually shift your teeth. It’s ideal for teens and adults who want a better smile without having a mouthful of metal braces that can cut, cause pain, and harbor food particles. 

With this innovative orthodontic treatment, you wear a set of aligners for a week or two and then replace them with another set that is slightly adjusted. As you keep putting on slightly adjusted sets of aligners, your teeth gradually shift into place. Most patients wear them for about a year, but each mouth is different, so the length of your treatment may be shorter or longer.

Tips for taking care of your Invisalign trays

Invisalign trays are made from a safe, medical-grade polyurethane resin, which is a type of plastic. They can easily get discolored by coffee, red wine, or other foods unless you take care of them properly. To keep your Invisalign trays looking bright and clean, follow these tips:

What to do

• Always take out your aligners before eating
• Rinse your aligners when you remove them to eat or drink
• Brush and floss your teeth before putting them back in, so you won’t trap bacteria
• Clean your aligners nightly by brushing them with a clear, unscented soft soap. Be sure to use lukewarm — not hot — water, as hot water may warp them. Another way to keep them clean is to soak your aligners in Invisalign’s cleaning solution for about 15 minutes to remove plaque and keep them clear

What not to do

• Don’t brush your aligners with toothpaste
• Don’t brush them too hard, or you may scratch your aligners
• Don’t use denture cleaners or mouthwash on you aligners
• Don’t leave them in hot places, such as on the dash of your car, because heat may warp them.
  

By following these tips, you’ll keep your Invisalign trays looking like new and your mouth free from harmful bacteria. 

To learn more about how to keep your Invisalign aligners clean, or to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign aligners, book an appointment online or over the phone with A Caring Dental Group today.