How To Clean Invisalign?

In a study, Kelton found that 47.2% of people aged 30 or older who use Invisalign suffer from periodontal disease. The reason? Dirty aligners. But won’t you dispose of the aligners every two weeks? Yes, but the aligners still need cleaning. Miss that, and you'll end up with stained aligners, bad breath, and periodontal disease.

Add the £4000 to £6000 price tag of each aligner, and you'll want them to stay clean. How? That’s what this article will help you with. In the next five minutes, you will learn all about how to clean Invisalign, including:

• Steps to follow to keep Invisalign attachments clean
• Which cleaning methods are the best
• Which cleansers you should avoid
• How often should you clean Invisalign aligners

Steps To Follow on How to Clean Invisalign

1. Maintain a Morning And Night Hygiene Routine

You must wear the Invisalign aligners at night. However, that’s when bacteria form on both the aligners and your teeth. When you wake up, remove the aligners. Brush both the aligners and your teeth. Furthermore, repeat the process every night before you sleep.

2. Rinse The Aligners When You Remove Them

Rinse the aligners to prevent plaque and saliva build-up. Also, if you took out the aligners to eat, brush your teeth before putting them back in. If brushing isn’t possible, rinse your mouth before putting the aligners back on. Clean the aligners using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a clear antibacterial soap. The process removes stuck-on food particles and debris.

3. Soak The Aligners At Least Once a Day

Brushing can’t remove all gunk and food particles. Thus, you must soak the aligners at least once a day. Soak the aligners with Invisalign cleaning crystals following the instructions on the package. Soak for fifteen minutes. Afterward, brush the aligners and your teeth to remove any stubborn plaque. Rinse the aligners and put them back on.

4. Never Eat or Drink With The Aligners On

Invisalign aligners don’t support chewing. The resulting pressure damages the aligners. Food particles can also get stuck inside the aligners and cause bacteria to build up. You can drink water while wearing the aligners. However, colorful liquids can stain the aligners. As a result, your teeth may look yellow, defeating the purpose of wearing clear aligners.

5. Brush And Floss Your Teeth Before You Put The Aligners Back On

Food particles can get stuck in between the teeth and the aligners. The resulting bacterial build-up can lead to further dental problems. Thus, always brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back on.

6. Never Use Coloured Or Scented Soaps Or Toothpaste To Clean Invisalign Aligners

Coloured or scented toothpaste or soaps leave stains on the aligners. Furthermore, the toothpaste and soaps leave residue and cause an unpleasant taste. So, always use prescribed toothpaste and soaps that are clear and odorless.

7. Never Leave The Aligners Out In The Open

If you leave the aligners in the open air, bacteria form on them. Furthermore, there’s always the chance of losing the aligners. Thus, never leave the aligners out in the open. If you do, rinse them thoroughly before putting the aligners back in.

Which Invisalign Cleaning Methods Are The Best?

1. Invisalign Crystals

The crystals clean the aligners without scratching or discoloring them. Fill a bowl with warm water. Add a packet of cleaning crystals and stir until they dissolve. Put the aligners into the solution and leave for 15 minutes. Remove the aligners, brush them, and rinse them before putting them back on.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Use low-concentration hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from the aligners. Mix the hydrogen peroxide with warm water. Soak the aligners in the solution for 30 minutes. Afterward, brush off any leftover plaque and rinse the aligners before putting them back on.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda's abrasive quality kills bacteria without harming the aligners. Baking soda also helps remove plaque and stuck-on food particles. Mix a spoonful of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Soak the aligners in the solution for 30 minutes. Afterward, brush and rinse the aligners.

4. Distilled White Vinegar

Make a solution with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Soak the Invisalign aligner for 15 minutes. The vinegar loosens up the plaque. Afterward, brush to remove the leftover plaque and rinse with water.

5. Antibacterial Soap

Create a solution of antibacterial soap and warm water. Apply the solution directly to the Invisalign aligners or let the aligners soak in the solution for fifteen minutes. Afterward, rinse with water. However, never use coloured soaps.

Which Invisalign Cleaners Should You Avoid?

Cleansers that are harsh or damage Invisalign aligners:

• Mouthwashes, especially those with alcohol
• Denture cleaners
• Toothpaste
• Scented soaps
• Cleansing soaps with added dyes (Hint: these are your blue, red, and green soaps)

Furthermore, always use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratches.

How Often Should You Clean Invisalign Aligners?

Short answer: each night. Clean the aligners when you brush and floss your teeth. The process removes built-up food, bacteria, and debris that accumulate during the day. Clean the aligners if you drank a colored liquid while wearing them or put them in too soon after eating.

Furthermore, you must clean the aligners each time you take them off. If you miss that, the aligners will appear yellow. As a result, your teeth will look yellow. You may also suffer from bad breath because of bacterial buildup.

A Clean Invisalign Aligner Makes a Massive Difference

A study conducted by Kelton found that 58% of Americans with straight teeth have a better chance of success than those with crooked teeth. Furthermore, 29% of Americans notice another person’s teeth first. You can be certain the Brits aren’t a lot different, at least in this regard.

In this article, you have learned:

• Cleaning Invisalign aligners
• Best cleaning methods
• Cleansers to avoid
• Best times to clean Invisalign aligners

I hope this information helps you keep your Invisalign aligners sparkling clean.