How Do I Keep My Invisalign Clean?

By this point, you have made the decision that Invisalign is the right choice for you. Here at Castilla Orthodontics, we would like to congratulate you on getting one step closer to a confident and healthy smile! But by now, you probably have a few questions. And one of the most common Invisalign questions that Dr. Ana Castilla receives is, “how do I clean my Invisalign aligners?” To keep your aligners clean, and to make sure that your Invisalign is working effectively, follow these tips on how to clean your Invisalign near Keizer, OR!

1. Many Invisalign patients complain that their aligners begin to smell bad throughout the day. The reason why this is happening is because the dry saliva and plaque that builds up creates the perfect home for bacteria, causing this foul smell. To avoid this, simply brush your aligners every time you take them out! You take your aligners out before you eat, right? (Hopefully your answer is yes!) So before you put them in after your meal, brush your aligner the same way you brush your teeth, with a little bit of toothpaste and a toothbrush. You should also brush and floss while you’re at it, that will reduce bacteria too!
2. Once or twice a week, soak your aligner in either the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, Retainer Brite, or denture cleaner! Avoid a colored denture cleaner due to the fact that it may stain or color your aligners. By soaking them, it keeps the Invisalign aligners looking clear while also sanitizing them.
3. One of the perks of choosing Invisalign treatment is the fact that it has little to no impact on your day to day life. However, certain foods and drinks can stain the aligner, leading to a yellowing or cloudy appearance. One of the most common culprits that Dr. Ana Castilla has noticed stains aligners, is dark colored drinks. Tea, coffee, wine, and sodas stain the aligners the most. Plus, hot drinks tend to warp the trays into a position that no longer fits on the teeth thus extending treatment time.
4. If you’re feeling sick, you may want to avoid wearing the aligners for a little while. Rather than the typical 22 hours a day, wear them for maybe 10 or 12 hours. You can always catch up once you’re feeling better. But like we said before, bacteria can build up in the aligners if not cleaned properly. Getting rid of the bacteria is especially important during a sickness to ensure a quick and easy recovery. When you’re not wearing the aligner, thoroughly rinse them and brush them with toothpaste. Then put them back in the case to avoid more germs. And once you’re starting to feel better, throw away that old toothbrush!

For the most part, keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is easy and a very important part of the overall treatment. Just remember, whenever you brush your teeth, brush your aligners too. To make sure you remember, the team at Castilla Orthodontics recommends that you make a small Invisalign cleaning kit for when you’re on the go! Include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to keep your teeth and invisalign sparkling!

If you have any more questions on keeping your Invisalign clean, or anything else Invisalign related, give Dr. Ana Castilla a call! You can reach Castilla Orthodontics near Keizer, OR by calling 503.399.0721. We look forward to hearing from you!