Get Helpful Tips on How to Clean Your Invisalign – And How Not to Clean It
Do your Invisalign aligner trays have an unpleasant odor? Is there a firm white coating covering them? This indicates that you are not cleaning them thoroughly enough. Bacteria can then colonize the retainer, generating smells and plaque buildup, which can result in white patches. Fortunately, by following these do’s and don’ts, you can keep your Invisalign aligners (or Invisalign retainers) clean.
If your aligners or retainers are damaged, or do not fit correctly, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to get help from your dentist.
Before you put your aligners in, brush your teeth
First and foremost, you must understand that your aligner or retainer trays will not stay clean if they are placed on filthy teeth. To make matters worse, placing trays on filthy teeth interrupts the cleaning flow of saliva, allowing bacteria and acids to marinade in a bath of bacteria and acids, which can lead to enamel erosion and cavities. Always brush your teeth before replacing your aligner or retainer for the sake of your trays and your teeth.
Brush your aligner trays, but avoid using toothpaste
Cleaning your Invisalign trays with a soft toothbrush on a daily basis is the best approach to keep them clean. However, avoid using toothpaste since toothpastes include abrasives that might damage the plastic tray and cause it to seem dull and murky.
Make sure to soak your aligner trays
As an addition to your everyday cleaning, you should immerse your aligner trays on a regular basis. There are a variety of treatments and home cures available, but you should only use procedures that are explicitly authorized for Invisalign trays and not for standard retainers or dentures.
Using Invisalign crystals is perhaps the best solution. Invisalign created this product particularly for their trays, and it will not harm or discolor them. It’s one of the most effective ways to get rid of the white plaque that might accumulate on trays over time. Other ways may be employed to destroy microorganisms and minimize smells. For example, soaking your retainer in a 50-50 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes is a helpful home cure.
Mouthwash is not recommended
To give their Invisalign trays a new aroma and flavor, some customers soak them in mouthwash. This, however, is not the greatest option. To begin with, several mouthwashes include colors that might stain the trays. Furthermore, some products contain alcohol, which might harm the plastic. Research on denture washing has revealed that mouthwash is ineffective in eradicating germs on dental equipment.
Denture tablets should not be used
One last blunder to avoid is cleaning your Invisalign trays with denture tablets. Denture pills can discolor the plastic over time. While you might be able to get away with using denture tablets to clean aligner trays that you’ll eventually discard, you wouldn’t want to do so on a retainer that you’ll have to wear for years. If you have additional questions, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 for help.
