Invisalign aligners are a virtually invisible method of straightening teeth that are commonly used by orthodontists.
If you’re interested in getting Invisalign, you might be wondering: How do you clean Invisalign?
In this article, I will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to clean Invisalign, as well as some tips to remember.
Let’s get started.
How Often Should You Clean Invisalign Aligners?
You need to clean your Invisalign aligners on a nightly basis.
That being said, you might need to clean your Invisalign aligners more than this, particularly when they are visibly dirty.
This could occur when you drink something that isn’t clear whilst you are wearing your aligners.
You will also need to rinse your aligners every time you take them out of your mouth, as this can result in bacteria building up on them.
Despite the fact that you change your aligners every 2 weeks, you must clean them very carefully.
This comes down to the fact that if you don’t, the aligners will become more visible as they will appear discoloured.
In addition to this, they can even cause bad breath if you’re not following a strict hygiene routine, so it’s good to get in the habit of cleaning them every single day.
How To Clean Invisalign Aligners?
Step One – Rinse Your Invisalign
To begin, you will first need to rinse your aligners with water. You will need to do this every night, without fail.
Step Two – Brush Your Aligners
Brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush with clear liquid soap.
This will help to remove any food particles and debris that have accumulated in your aligners during the day.
Step Three – Rinse Your Aligners
Once you have finished brushing your aligners, you will need to thoroughly rinse your aligners.
Step Four – Place Your Aligners Back In
Lastly, you will need to place your aligners back in for your full night of sleep! After all, you need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day.
Step Five – Safely Store Your Invisalign Aligners In A Case
Always store your aligners in a case to protect them when you’re not using them.
What Cleaning Accessories Should You Know About For Invisalign?
There are a few cleaning accessories that you should know about when it comes to cleaning Invisalign.
Steraligner
Invisalign are known to sell Steraligner, a product that includes both sodium bicarbonate, as well as rubbing alcohol.
To use this product, you place your aligners in a tray that it comes with and allow them to soak for three minutes.
Once this time has passed, you rinse the solution off and brush the trays under warm water. Now they’re sterilized!
Cleaning Crystals
On the Invisalign website, you will find a product called Cleaning crystals.
This is something that you dissolve in water and soak your aligners in, and it aids the cleaning process of your aligners.
Although these products aren’t compulsory to use, you might find them useful to have on hand if you struggle with the cleaning process.
As Invisalign recommends these products, this cuts out the middleman of having to find a product that is both safe for you and won’t cause any damage to your Invisalign trays.
What To Avoid When Cleaning Invisalign Aligners?
There are a few cleansers that you should avoid using when it comes to cleaning your Invisalign aligners. These include:
- Mouthwash, particularly mouthwashes that contain alcohol
- Toothpaste
- Denture cleaners
- Scented soaps, which can affect the taste of your aligners
You will also need to ensure that you avoid soaps that contain dyes.
These can easily stain your Invisalign aligners, which can turn the 2 week wait for your next set agonizingly long!
Tips For Taking Care Of Your Invisalign Aligners
There are a variety of tips to bear in mind to ensure that you’re taking care of your Invisalign aligners. These tips include but are not limited to:
- Make sure that you take your Invisalign aligners out before you eat anything. Food particles can get built up, or you can cause damage to your aligners through the process of chewing as you eat.
- Avoid drinking anything other than water when you have your Invisalign aligners in. Failure to do so could result in you staining your Invisalign aligners, or could lead to them becoming discoloured or damaged.
- When you’re not wearing your aligners, make sure that you rinse them and then place them into an airtight container until you’re ready to put them back in your mouth. This will reduce the likelihood of you losing them, whilst also protecting them from bacteria.
How Long Do You Have To Wear Invisalign Aligners Per Day?
It is recommended that you wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day.
Failure to do so will result in your treatment taking longer than anticipated, as the process of straightening your teeth requires the Invisalign aligners to be in for this long.
You will need to wear each set of aligners for 1 to 2 weeks.
If you fail to wear your Invisalign for long enough, then this is likely to draw the process out and result in complications for your orthodontist.
When you get frustrated with the process, remember why you are doing this. It’s counterproductive to cause complications in your treatment.
So, have patience, and wear your trays! Trust me, the results will be worth it.
Are Invisalign Aligners Worth It?
Invisalign aligners are worth it if you take the process seriously.
You aren’t going to magically wake up with straight teeth if you refuse to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day.
However, if you take the process seriously and know that you’re going to follow the cleaning protocols required to keep your Invisalign aligners in good condition throughout your treatment, the results can be great.
In Summary
So, that’s how you clean Invisalign aligners.
Be sure to clean your Invisalign aligners every single night, and make sure that you rinse them every time you take them out of your mouth.
Good luck with your Invisalign journey!
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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