Your Invisalign® Provider
Caring for your Invisalign® clear aligners is easy, and it's an important factor when it comes to reaching your treatment goals.
Without proper care, diligent cleaning of your aligners, and regular oral hygiene habits, plaque and bacteria can build up and cause damage to both your teeth and aligners over time.
Keeping Your Aligners Clean
Following these steps throughout your treatment will help keep your aligners clean and free of bacteria, plaque, and germs.
Rinse. Any time you take out your aligners, be sure to rinse them under running water before you put them back in your mouth.
Brush. When it comes time to brush your aligners (at least once or twice a day), never use toothpaste as it will harm them. Only use clear, anti-bacterial soft soap and warm water, and be sure to brush them gently.
Soak. You can soak your aligners in Invisalign's specialized cleaning solution once a week.
Don't eat with your aligners. One of the best parts about Invisalign is that you can take them out when you need to. It is important that you remove them when you eat or drink, otherwise, you could accidentally damage or stain them. The only thing you can consume while wearing your aligners is water.
Store your Invisalign aligners in their case. Try to make a habit of always storing your aligners in their case. Whether you take them out for a meal or just to brush your teeth, they must go back into their case. If you don't, you could risk damaging your aligners or even accidentally throwing them away (food courts are notorious for this issue). To keep them safe, just make sure you always have your case with you.
Cleaning Your Teeth
Making sure your teeth are clean will go a long way toward keeping your aligners clean and protecting your oral health.
Regular brushing (at least twice a day) and regular flossing (at least once a day) are important in preventing the buildup of bacteria and plaque that can accumulate under your aligners.
Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth every time you remove your aligners before you put them back in. If that's not possible, be sure to at least rinse the aligners and your mouth with water until you can get to your regular cleaning routine.
Visiting Your Dentist
In addition to regular cleaning of your aligners and teeth, be sure to attend all scheduled appointments with your dentist.
Not only does this give your dentist a chance to monitor the progress of your teeth, but it also helps to ensure you're on the right path in terms of caring for your aligners and following your treatment plan.
For more information about Invisalign or how to care for your aligners, contact our dentists at York Lanes Dental today to book an appointment.