3 Ways to Care for Your Invisalign Clear Aligners

Caring for Invisalign aligners isn’t too difficult. In fact, it is actually much easier than if you were to wear metal brackets and wires. With these clear trays, you don’t have to worry about food getting stuck between your teeth and brackets nor do you have to be concerned about a potential wire poking out and irritating your gums. If you’re wanting to keep your Invisalign aligners in the best possible shape to avoid a potential delay in your treatment, check out these three tips that will make cleaning and caring for your orthodontic appliances easier than you thought.

Keep Your Invisalign in a Protective Case

One of the first purchases you should make when receiving Invisalign is a protective case. It may not look like much, but this additional accessory will ensure your trays are safe when going out to eat with friends or participating in an event that causes you to remove your aligners for a short time. Bacteria and particles in the air can easily adhere to your Invisalign if left out in the open. When you have no case to keep them in, you are more likely to accidentally damage your trays or throw them away, especially if you keep them in a napkin during lunch. It’s best to keep your protective case in your pocket or purse to make sure you don’t need to call your dentist for replacement aligners, which can potentially delay your treatment.

Don’t Forget to Soak Your Trays

Part of the process that comes with cleaning Invisalign trays is soaking them. This might sound like something you only need to do if you have dentures, but if you’re wearing clear aligners, you’ll need to make sure you complete this task every day. Bacteria and plaque can build on your trays throughout the day and night, which can be harmful to your oral health. By using Invisalign cleaning crystals and soaking your trays, it helps to remove anything that might try to attach to your teeth and gums and cause problems. Just remember to brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse them in lukewarm water before reinserting them into your mouth.

Take Out Your Aligners Before Eating and Drinking

Invisalign clear aligners are durable; however, they cannot stand up to the daily pressures placed on them while eating and chewing. Not only will it be harder to consume the foods you love, but you will quickly damage your trays and require replacement aligners, which can be timely to create and costly to produce. It is best to always remember to remove your trays before eating or drinking. Consuming water while wearing your Invisalign is fine, as this will not harm or diminish or clear and transparent material of your trays; however, if you prefer to enjoy a cup of coffee or can of soda, the dark pigments will not only stain your Invisalign but also your teeth.

Make sure to rinse your trays and brush your teeth before reinserting them after a meal, as this will reduce any transmission of particles from your mouth and onto your aligners.

Using these simple tips will allow you to take better care of your Invisalign aligners throughout treatment and ultimately, stay on track to achieving a healthier, more beautiful smile.

About the Author
Dr. Ronni Bruck earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania before completing her general practice residency at Abington Memorial Hospital. She then chose to complete an orthodontic residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York. As an orthodontist in Coatesville, she is pleased to be a part of Chester Country Dental Arts, which is a Gold Status Invisalign provider. For patients who prefer to straighten their smiles with clear aligners, she is pleased to provide helpful tips to ensure the health and longevity of clear aligners. If you would like to learn more about how to clean and care for your Invisalign, contact us at (610) 383-1600.