If you’ve looked into getting braces – to correct your bite or close unsightly gaps between your teeth, for example – you’ve probably come across Invisalign.
It’s one of the most popular orthodontic treatments, and many patients are starting to favour it as a treatment option, over traditional metal or ceramic braces, to straighten out their smiles.
Using a series of clear aligners, the Invisalign treatment gradually shifts your teeth into your desired position comfortably and discreetly.
To keep your aligners in good condition, it’s essential to build a solid hygiene routine and stick to it. Not just for aesthetic reasons, but for hygiene reasons as well.
In this article, our experts at Bow Lane Dental Group have compiled some of our top tips for cleaning your Invisalign aligners.
Rinse your aligners when you take them out
Since you only have to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, you can take them out to eat, drink and clean your teeth as usual.
Whilst this is super convenient, it’s important to remember to rinse them each time you remove them. You should also clean your teeth before putting them back in to remove any debris or residue left behind.
Doing this will keep plaque build-up to an absolute minimum – which will help prevent conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Soak your aligners at least once a day
To keep your aligners looking their best, you should try to soak them at least once a day.
Brushing doesn’t take care of every last food particle left behind after meals and snacks, so doing this is incredibly important.
There are plenty of effective solutions for Invisalign cleaning – from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to distilled white vinegar and anti-bacterial soap – but the best daily soaking solution is Invisalign cleaning crystals.
These dissolvable crystals are made specially to gently – but effectively – clean your aligners.
Fill a glass with warm water and stir a pack of cleaning crystals into it until they fully dissolve, placing your aligners in the solution and leaving them to soak for around fifteen minutes. Remove them from the solution and brush them over with a soft-bristled toothbrush before rinsing and putting them back in for the day.
Take your aligners out to eat and drink
Unlike some other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign is removable. Which means that it doesn’t come with a list of foods you can’t eat.
Invisalign aligners aren’t designed with chewing in mind, so to avoid staining or otherwise damaging them, make sure to take them out whenever you eat and drink.
If you’re drinking just plain, still water, you don’t need to worry about taking your aligners out.
How do I remove stains from my aligners?
Invisalign cleaning crystals work to remove light staining – and if you take good care of your aligners, you should need nothing more than this to clean them.
However, for particularly stubborn stains you may need something a little stronger – such as hydrogen peroxide or white distilled vinegar – to remove stains and any buildups that they may be attached to.
Mix equal parts of lukewarm water with your chosen stain remover and let your aligners soak in the solution for 20 minutes before rinsing them thoroughly and putting them back in.
Zima Cleaner
We offer Zima dental pods which are ultrasonic cleaners specifically designed to clean clear aligners, removable braces and nightguards. Designed to safely and effectively clean and remove bacteria these ultasonic cleaners are customisable and reduce the likelihood of tooth decay or gum disease occurring from built up bacteria in the clear aligners being trapped against your teeth and gum line.
Need expert advice?
Got your heart set on getting Invisalign in London and want to find out more? Maybe you’re currently going through treatment and would like more Invisalign cleaning tips? Or would you rather explore other methods of teeth straightening in London?
We’re here for you!
Give our reception team a call today on 020 7236 3600 to book a consultation with our expert orthodontists, or email your questions to reception@bowlanedental.com and we’ll get back to you shortly!
