Invisalign is a convenient way to straighten your teeth, but there are still a few things you’ll need to do to make sure you maintain your Invisalign trays and your oral health throughout the process. Here are a few steps you should take to clean and maintain your aligners as you go through Invisalign treatment at Oakbrook Dental.
Overnight, saliva production slows down and bacteria tend to build up significantly, particularly if you tend to breathe through your mouth while you sleep. This is the cause of “morning breath!”
So it’s a good idea to brush your teeth thoroughly and to clean your aligners in the morning. We recommend brushing your aligners with a non-scented, clean-rinsing soap using cold or room temperature water. Don’t use toothpaste, since it’s abrasive and could damage the aligners.
Ideally, you should only take out your Invisalign trays when you eat and drink. After you eat or drink, rinse your aligners out with cold or room temperature water to reduce plaque buildup and keep them clean. Never use hot water, since this can warp and damage your aligners.
You should also brush your teeth after you eat to remove food particles that could cause the formation of plaque and bacteria in your mouth. If brushing is not practical (you’re out to lunch, for example), you should at least rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash, and brush whenever you get the next chance to do so.
Whenever you’ve taken out your aligners, you should keep them in their carrying case. This protects them from damage or accidental loss, and also prevents exposure to bacteria and other particles in the air, which keeps them more clean and hygienic.
The best way to “deep clean” your aligners is to use Invisalign cleaning crystals or a fast-acting denture cleaner. If you choose denture cleaner, make sure you choose a product that does not require an overnight soak, but that works in 15-30 minutes.
These products work similarly, creating bubbles and using detergent to remove plaque buildup and kill bacteria on your aligners. Just gently place your trays into a clean container, add cold or lukewarm water, and add your Invisalign crystals or denture cleaner. Swish the container around a little bit, then let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Next, just rinse off your Invisalign trays thoroughly and place them back into your mouth. You can do this at any time of day, but most patients choose to soak their aligners at night before bed.
Dr. Patel and Dr. Major have years of experience treating patients with Invisalign in West Bend. If you’d like to learn more and get more information about Invisalign treatment, contact us online or give us a call at (262) 335-0822.
.png){kind=logo}
-p-500.png)
.png){kind=icon}