What’s The Best Method to Clean Invisalign?
In every orthodontic treatment, maintaining good oral hygiene is incredibly important. Regardless of your specific problem, the last thing any patient wants to do is to start a new treatment as soon as they finish the last one. If you are a braces wearer, then you are more prone to this happening to you. Most types of braces will in some way, or another hinder your ability to wash and floss your teeth properly. This creates many more opportunities for bacteria de develop and cause tooth decay or even tooth loss in extreme cases.
Usually, you would need a special kit to clean your braces as it can be difficult to get to the little crevices between the teeth, brackets, and wires. Luckily for you, Invisalign Aligners are much easier to clean compared to other clear braces. Your toothbrush and some warm water can sometimes be enough to keep them free of plaque and bacteria.
Even though is much easier to keep your appliances clean when using Invisalign aligners, you should know that there are other steps to take to make sure that your aligners don’t deform or stain in the process.
How to Clean Invisalign Aligners?
Invisalign recommends using your clear aligners from 20 to 22 hours a day. Although you won’t be eating with them, this much use involves being exposed to the elements to some degree so you will have to clean them every night. In addition, orthodontists recommend cleaning your trays before putting them back on, so if you’re going to be taking them out for every meal you should wash them as many times you eat in a day.
To clean your aligner you might find it easier to brush the outer side while you have them on. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and warm water. You can use toothpaste as long as you make sure that there aren’t any harsh ingredients that could damage your aligners but do not use mouthwash with your aligners on as they can have some harsh chemicals as well and they can stain your clear aligners. After cleaning the exterior sections take them off carefully and, one by one, brush and rinse them thoroughly with water. Remember to dry them off before putting them back on.
Some sites may recommend the use of denture cleaners to help clean your aligners by letting them soak in the solution for a couple of minutes. Invisalign doesn’t recommend the use of mouthwash or denture cleaners as they could damage or weaken the aligners.
How to Use Invisalign Crystals?
First of all Invisalign Crystals is a product, made by Invisalign, that’s designed to remove bacteria and plaque from the clear aligners. In short, It’s a cleaning solution for your trays that dissolves in water.
To use Invisalign Crystals, simply remove your aligners and rinse them as usual. Dissolve the contents of one packet of Invisalign Crystals into a glass of warm water and shake until completely dissolved. Soak both aligners in the solution and let them rest inside the glass for at least 20 minutes. Before taking them out shake them, then rinse and dry your aligners as you usually would.
You can use the cleaning crystals up to twice a day but should try to use them at least once a week.
Dietary Recommendations
Fortunately, the removable nature of Invisalign aligners allows you to enjoy any meal you want at any time during your treatment, just remember to take them out beforehand and wash them thoroughly after.
Do not eat anything with your aligners on, applying pressure on them can cause damage and make them lose their effectiveness. Eating without taking your aligners off can also lead to plaque and bacteria buildup in between your teeth and aligners as well as on the outside of the aligners themselves. Without proper care, a patient could end up developing problems such as tooth decay and cavities. There is also the possibility that the food you consume stains your Invisalign aligners making them noticeable to others.
On the same note, you shouldn’t drink anything except for cool water when you have your aligners on. If a drink is hot enough, you can end up deforming your clear aligners for good. Remember that if an aligner loses its shape you will have to change them as soon as possible so you don’t extend your treatment time or run the risk of your teeth moving to their previous positions. We only recommend drinking cool water with your clear braces, as any other colored drink can stain your aligners.
If you have any doubt regarding Invisalign aligners or how to clean them contact us here. If you wish to get yours done request your appointment here where we will be glad to help.