It’s exciting to get new Invisalign® aligners and to anticipate the end result of a bright, uniform smile. While Invisalign aligners are self-contained, removable, and fairly easily maintained, it’s important that you clean them along with your daily teeth brushing routine. This will keep them odor-free and invisible to the naked eye.

There are no complex cleaning techniques or expensive supplies required, but we have provided some tips below for those of you who need instructions on Invisalign cleaning:

Tip #1 – Whenever you are able, take your aligners out of your mouth and rinse them under cool water. A quick spritz gets rid of the dry saliva and plaque that sits in the tray making a foul-smelling breeding ground for bacteria. Check your teeth for food particles and rinse them as well before putting your aligners back in.

Tip #2 – When you’re able to brush your teeth, always do so before putting your aligners back into your mouth. The aligners are made to fit snugly and neglecting to brush and floss before putting them on again may trap food particles in your teeth putting you at greater risk for dental decay.

Tip #3 – For a deep clean, soak your aligner trays daily. There are readily available products on the market made for dentures and aligners that you can easily find at the pharmacy or supermarket. Also, Invisalign has their own official Cleaning Crystals that can be purchased online.

Tip #4 – You can brush your aligners with your toothbrush as long as you do it gently. It is possible to scratch the plastic, so treat them with care and only use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Never use toothpaste to clean as it contains abrasives. Instead use antibacterial soft soap.

Tip #5 – You can quickly clean your aligners using an anti-bacterial soft soap. While not as good as a deep cleaning soak, this will keep them fresh, clear and bacteria-free.

If you’d like more information about Invisalign aligners, call Dr. Pierson and our team at Pierson Orthodontics. You can make an appointment at: 210-695-1116, or come by our office in San Antonio, TX.