Cleaning is still essential even though the Invisalign aligners have been designed to be thrown away every two weeks. Otherwise, you might get dirty or smelly aligners to wear daily. Are you thinking of how to keep your invisalign clean? Irrespective of whether you use the aligners or consider them for a straighter smile, following the cleaning regime is a significant consideration.
According to a Hollywood, Florida dentist, the aligners gradually get scratched or discolored without adequate cleaning, making them no longer visible. If you love transforming your smile with invisalign, you should know the do’s, don’ts, and best practices!
Do’s: Buy the correct type of cleaner.
One of the best ways to clean your aligners is using a cleaner designer for invisalign. You may use a mild clear liquid soap or retainer cleaners, which will also work safely on invisalign aligners. Other products, such as toothpaste, can ruin your aligners. The advantage of invisalign is that the aligners look invisible on your teeth. Wearing your aligners makes any discolorations or scratches evident.
Don’t: Never use scented or colored cleaners
Colored soaps can stain the aligners and make your teeth appear discolored. Moreover, scented soaps might leave residue, which might cause the trays to taste nasty. It would also be best to bypass using mouthwash on your aligners. The colorant in mouthwash products can degrade the plastic. Also, the presence of harsh chemicals might destroy the invisalign trays.
Do’s: Brush your aligners
Brushing it while brushing your teeth can be helpful for invisalign to stay clean throughout the day. Don’t forget to keep an isolated toothbrush handy with delicate bristles. You can apply a tiny quantity of clear and mild soap with the toothbrush or brush them with water. Refrain from using mild brush strokes to avoid scratching or damaging the aligners.
Don’t: Never leave them outside without protection
The suggested time to put on your aligners daily is 20-22 hours. But you may often remove them occasionally for distinct activities, such as brushing your teeth or eating. If you must remove it, put the invisalign aligners in the case to safeguard them. Leaving them in an open environment often attracts dirt & grime, bacteria, or other debris that nobody wants in their mouth.
Do’s: Brush & floss your teeth
To maintain oral hygiene and keep your aligners neat & clean, you must focus on daily brushing & flossing. The food & plaque will stay there on your teeth and get trapped under the trays, which leads to dental issues without adequate oral care. Statistics reveal that 59% of kids from 12-19 years of age have cavities in their permanent teeth as plaque leads to cavities. In adults, 92% of people ages 20-64 have cavities. The periodontal issue might be a problem among adults using invisalign without proper oral hygiene. One of the significant advantages of invisalign over braces is that you can brush & floss your teeth normally.
Best Cleaning Practices of Invisalign
The fundamental cleaning strategy above is often sufficient to keep your aligners clean at night, but it might not be the most effective. A study showed that the pathogens on invisible aligners were altered every 2 weeks for 6 weeks. Three techniques are there:
- Cleaning with water.
- Brushing the aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Using effervescent tablets plus brushing.
Conclusion
Invisalign aligners are the best way to straighten teeth, but they require daily cleaning to be effective. You may maintain your aligners clean and unnoticeable by taking excellent care of them. As they’re made to be disposed of, they can’t resist stringent chemicals or cleaning techniques, such as hot water or abrasive brushes.