Woman holding Invisalign aligners up to her mouthIn the last two decades, Invisalign has emerged as the new way to straighten teeth. They’re convenient, nearly invisible, and now, very affordable. However, they do require a higher level of responsibility by the wearers. It’s important to take care of your aligners to get the best results for your teeth.

Keep Aligners Clean

Aligners are almost like a second set of teeth. You’ll want to keep them clean to help them stay stain and odor free. Saliva and plaque can quickly collect on aligners and invite bacteria infestations that generate odors. For these reasons, you should clean your aligners each time you remove them from your mouth.

Ideally, you should rinse your aligners when you first remove them to remove saliva and plaque, then soak them in a solution while you have them removed. This may not always be feasible. At the very least, you should rinse them before you put them back in your mouth. This should be the exception, not the rule. The trays that you use for your aligners should also be rinsed after each use.

There are a number of cleaning solutions that will do the job well. Here is a quick list of a few options other Invisalign wearers have tried and liked:

  • a special cleaning kit directly from Invisalign;
  • EverSmile WhiteFoam, which is an Invisalign cleaner and tooth whitener that has received rave reviews from customers;
  • Retainer Brite, a retainer cleaner that also works for aligners;
  • a gentle denture cleanser, such as Polident;
  • OAP cleaner, which is specifically designed to clean orthodontic and dental devices;
  • Listerine mouthwash;
  • an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner;
  • a mild soap, such as Dove or a castile soap;
  • white vinegar and water.
  • and hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.

Keep Your Teeth Clean

The beauty of Invisalign is that you can eat whatever you want while your aligners are removed. However, you don’t want your teeth to marinate in food residue that’s trapped between your aligners and your teeth. You’ll want to brush, or at least rinse, your teeth after meal or snack. If you can’t brush, you can always swish some mouthwash through your teeth.

Always remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything besides water. Food and beverages can quickly stain your teeth and your aligners.

Keep Aligners in Clean Places

When aligners are removed, they should always be kept in bacteria-free zones, such as a tray, a glass, or a small dish. Leaving them out on the bathroom sink or the table is like putting out the welcome mat for bacteria. Plus, no one wants to look at your aligners while they’re eating.

Invisalign is an easy way to get your teeth straightened. While there is more responsibility involved, particularly in taking care of your aligners, it’s still an easy process. Just follow these simple tips to keep your aligners looking pristine. Your smile will be the better for it.