Congratulations on your bold step of seeking Invisalign® treatment. Within no time, you will get the beautiful smile you have always desired that shows your true personality! Unlike other methods of straightening teeth, the Invisalign® treatment is easy and simple to maintain. Therefore you will not have to alter your lifestyle that much.
Our goal is to ensure you end up with a great and healthy smile, so you must understand a few things about how to look after your Invisalign® clear aligners.
7 Tips For Maintaining Your Invisalign® Clear Aligners
The following are seven tips to help you take care of your Invisalign® clear aligners and keep them free from damage.
1. Take Off Your Invisalign® Clear Aligners When Having Meals
The good thing about Invisalign® clear aligners is that they are very comfortable, and you may often forget that you have them on. Therefore remember to remove them before you start eating or drinking. It is vital to take the aligners out before consuming anything besides water, as meals may leave stains on your Invisalign® clear aligners, which will likely destroy the aligners and your teeth.
Because these clear aligners are designed to fit well to your teeth, you can remove them and put them back on easily and quickly. Don’t forget to remove the aligners when in public if there’s a need. So, for example, if you have a snack you want to eat, briefly step away, take off your Invisalign® clear aligners, and enjoy your snack.
2. Always Keep Your Invisalign® Clear Aligners in the Aligner Case
You should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily for excellent results. However, when you are not wearing them, ensure you store them in the aligner case. The Invisalign® prevents the aligners from getting lost and, most importantly, prevents them from collecting dirt and bacteria.
If you don’t have your Invisalign® case and need to store your aligners, ensure you put them in a clear and dry place, and if you can, don’t store them in the pocket.
3. Clean the Invisalign® Clear Aligners Using a Soft-bristle Toothbrush
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, warm water, and toothpaste when cleaning your Invisalign® clear aligners.
Brush the aligners gently, focusing on any area where there are remains of food and drinks, to remove these particles. After brushing them thoroughly, now rinse them using warm water, and that’s enough for the day.
4. Brush and Floss as Usual
Brushing and flossing your teeth the usual way also helps you to keep your aligners clean. Not only does it help to maintain healthy teeth and gums, but it also removes food and drink residue that’s likely to leave stains on your Invisalign® clear aligners.
We would advise you to brush twice a day using toothpaste with fluoride and always floss before brushing. Once you get used to brushing and flossing regularly, it develops into a habit, and you will never go a day without doing it, even when you are busy with other things.
5. Rinse Your Aligners Every Time You Remove Them
Any time you take your aligners out, rinse them thoroughly using lukewarm water. It helps to wash away food and drink particles that may stain and damage your Invisalign® clear aligners.
It’s also helpful to rinse your mouth using water and brush your teeth after removing your Invisalign® clear aligners, as it helps to clean any particles that could still be around.
6. Keep Off Foods and Drinks That May Stain Your Aligners
Various foods may leave stains on your Invisalign® clear aligners; therefore, avoiding them is a good idea. Here are the foods you should avoid to keep your Invisalign® clear aligners clear from any stains:
- Tea;
- Coffee;
- Cola;
- Red wine;
- Soy sauce;
- Curry;
- Balsamic vinegar
As has been stated earlier, you must always take your Invisalign® clear aligners out before eating and drinking, except when taking water. If you must eat and drink stuff that may stain your aligners, remove the aligners before eating, and remember to brush and rinse your teeth after you’re done eating or drinking. It helps to eliminate the residues before they start staining your Invisalign clear aligners.
7. Visit Your Invisalign® Dentist Often
Lastly, another excellent way to maintain your Invisalign® clear aligners plus your overall health is to visit your Invisalign® dentist regularly.
The dentist will observe whether your Invisalign® treatment is working as it should, and they can determine if there is a problem before it becomes massive. In terms of the interval between dentist appointments, you need to discuss this with your dentist to get a schedule that meets your needs. Remember that Invisalign® appointments are easy to schedule; therefore, you can have checkups at your own convenient time.
Taking care of your Invisalign® clear aligners is easy. However, you must follow these steps to keep your aligners clean and in good condition. By using these tips, you will be working in the best interest of your Invisalign® treatment, which is a step toward your fantastic smile. You can easily do these things every day without needing anyone’s assistance, which means you don’t have to do any hard work to get that fantastic smile.
