Getting your Invisalign braces is the first step towards having a more stunning smile. Luckily, these retainers are very unobtrusive, very effective and easy to take care of. Since they are removable, you can clean and sanitise them effortlessly. And taking care of your Invisalign braces doesn’t get more complicated than that.
If you’re wondering what you need to do after getting your Invisalign clear aligners, the following guide will acquaint you with the essential steps to follow on a daily basis.
How to Clean Invisalign Braces
Clear aligners are meant to be removed when you eat. This provides the perfect opportunity for a quick rinse.
There are only a few rules you have to follow when cleaning Invisalign braces.
Always Rinse With Water After Removing Them
For a start, always rinse them with water immediately after you take them out of the mouth. This procedure provides a simple and efficient opportunity for flushing out bacteria. Your mouth is inhabited by various kinds of microorganisms. These will stick to the braces and if you don’t rinse the retainers, bacterial build-up will occur sooner or later.
Do rinse the retainers with lukewarm water. The material that Invisalign braces are made of can contract when exposed to very high temperatures. This is why you don’t want to rinse your braces under scalding hot water and you definitely don’t want to dip them in boiling water for sterilisation purposes.
Do Not Use Toothpaste On Your Aligners
You shouldn’t use toothpaste or other cleaning products meant for teeth on your aligners. Toothpaste and the use of a toothbrush on Invisalign braces can cause micro-tears to form. Such scratching will create additional surfaces for bacteria to latch on to. In addition, excessive scratching can actually make the braces uncomfortable to wear.
So to sum it up – you only have to rinse your aligners with lukewarm water when you take them out. For more thorough sanitisation, there’s another procedure to follow.
How to Sanitise Your Invisalign Clear Retainers
There is a specialised product created for more thorough cleaning and sanitisation of Invisalign braces. It is called Steraligner and you will get the product alongside a tray that’s used for the cleaning of retainers. Contact your dental clinic in Singapore about getting this sanitising product or a comparable one.
There are various aligner cleaning liquids out there. Most are based on alcohol and sodium bicarbonate. You’re meant to soak your retainers in the solution for a few minutes. Again – your dentist will provide recommendations on the frequency of going through the procedure and the exact way to sanitise your braces.
Usually, soaking the aligners in a cleaning solution is recommended once per day.
Always rinse aligners with lukewarm water after soaking them in a cleaning solution. Also, don’t forget to brush your teeth and floss before putting the clear braces in your mouth. Doing both will reduce the risk of bacterial build-up.
Additional Care and Maintenance Tips
Apart from rinsing your Invisalign clear aligners each time you take them out and soaking them once per day, you can adhere to a few additional rules in order to keep your Invisalign braces looking brand new.
Eating and Drinking
While aligners have to be taken out of the mouth when eating, they can be kept on your teeth when drinking.
If you are drinking a coloured beverage, however, you may want to take out the braces. Red wine, coffee, certain kinds of tea and coloured soft drinks can all stain the clear braces. This isn’t a problem that will interfere with the effectiveness of the retainers. Having red or brown stained braces over your teeth, however, isn’t going to be the most aesthetically-pleasing thing.
Always take aligners out of your mouth when eating. If you just want to grab a quick bite, you may feel lazy but eating with Invisalign braces isn’t a good idea. Food particles can easily get stuck inside the braces and these will be very difficult to remove.
In the event of food getting stuck inside the braces, you can use a soft bristles toothbrush to gently dislodge the food. Be delicate because you risk scratching the braces otherwise.
There are a few final things that can help you maintain the quality of your trays.
Never Leave Them Out In The Open
For a start, never leave them out in the open when taking those out of the mouth. You are provided with a case that you should use each time the aligners are taken out. The case protects the aligners from bacteria and also prevents the accidental throwing away of the trays.
Do Not Soal In Mouthwash
Soaking Invsialign braces in mouthwash can cause discolouration or staining, depending on the ingredients that the solution contains.
Occasionally Inspect for Scratches or Tartar Build-up
Every now and then, inspect your aligners. While these are meant to be replaced every few weeks, you can potentially damage your trays ahead of time. Look for deep scratches, white film or a tartar build-up. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your dentist about it. Most kinds of build-up can be dissolved by doing a more thorough soaking for a longer period of time.
Rinse and Soak!
And finally – get in the habit of rinsing and soaking! While getting used to a daily cleaning schedule takes some time, it should become second nature pretty soon. Once you master the routine, you’ll only need a few minutes per day to maintain the stellar hygiene of your aligners.