Invisalign is a great teeth straightening treatment for adults who want to correct misaligned smiles without the hassle or notice that braces bring. Traditional metal braces can prove uncomfortable and make it difficult for many patients to clean teeth in between wires. Invisalign retainers, on the other hand, simply slide off when you eat, brush, or floss for cleaner teeth and a less painful experience.
To keep your Invisalign retainers looking and feeling clean, though, will require some work on your end. Otherwise, the clear aligners will begin to dull and may appear more noticeable. But more importantly, clean aligners will help keep your teeth healthier as you straighten them.
What can you do to ensure that each set of your Invisalign retainers stay clean and look like new? Start with the 6 simple steps below, and consult with your local Wasilla dentist for additional information.
1. Rinse Daily
Bacteria and plaque can build up along the walls of your Invisalign clear aligners quickly. Whenever you remove aligners to eat and brush, rinse them out with water. You may also want to use clear antibacterial soap, but avoid any colored soap that could stain the retainers.
2. Keep Retainers Safely Away
After taking out aligners, don’t leave them out on a countertop or table. Beyond the possibility of forgetting them when you leave, retainers can pick up more germs and bacteria out in the open than they would safely hidden in their tray container. So pack them away after rinsing them, or be sure to rinse them out again if you do leave them out.
3. Clean Before Breakfast
You know how bad your breath can smell in the morning after waking up, even without wearing Invisalign retainers? The bacteria that causes morning breath can dirty your clear aligners when worn overnight, so when you wake up, give them a quick clean for fresher breath.
4. Brush and Floss After Eating
Keeping up with a good dental health routine will also help ensure that Invisialign retainers stay clear and clean. On top of that, these habits will help prevent tooth decay and cavities from food stuck between your teeth that’s held in place by the retainers.
Start by brushing and flossing after every time you take out the clear aligners to eat. Removing food particles before putting Invisalign retainers back on will help keep that food building up and eating away at your enamel.
5. Soak in Denture Cleaning Solutions or Specific Invisalign Cleaner
One of the best things you can add into your dental health and Invisalign cleaning routine is to leave aligners to soak in a cleaning solution for around 15 minutes. This could be the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals specifically for their retainers, but other denture cleaners or Retainer Brite are other good cleaning solutions to use.
6. Leave Toothpaste Out of It
Toothpaste, however, is not a good cleaning agent for your Invisalign retainers. Teeth-whitening toothpastes especially have been known to discolor aligners and may wear them down from the toothpaste’s corroding chemicals. These materials aren’t abrasive for your teeth, but they won’t be friendly to your clear plastic retainers.
You can also avoid wearing down aligners by brushing them softly. You won’t need to apply too much pressure if you’re following all the above steps to keep aligners clean and free of bacteria or plaque.
Cleaner Aligners and Straighter Teeth
To keep your teeth and Invisalign retainers in good shape, use the cleaning techniques mentioned! Although you only wear each new set of clear aligners for a few weeks, they can have a big impact on your oral hygiene without proper care.
Talk with one of our dentists in Wasilla, AK if you have more questions about Invisalign, braces, or other cosmetic dentistry treatments for straightening teeth. Our experienced staff can help you come up with a personalized treatment plan that helps you achieve the smile you’ve been wanting. Schedule a consultation appointment at our dental office today!
