Whether you just received your first set of Invisalign — or you’re still trying to decide between the aligners versus traditional braces — it’s important to understand the process of how to clean your Invisalign aligners. It doesn’t take long for bacteria to build-up, damaging your teeth. Here are our top tips and tricks for keeping your Invisalign aligners squeaky clean.

Take Your Aligners Out to Clean Every Morning

Bacteria can build up on your aligners overnight and cause cavities, which means it’s extremely important to clean your Invisalign aligners as soon as you wake up in the morning.

Rinse Your Aligners Every Time You Remove Them

It’s not only important to clean your aligners when you wake up in the morning, but also each time you remove them to avoid creating an inviting environment for bacteria to grow and plaque to build up. We recommend using antibacterial soap (rinse thoroughly!) and COOL water to keep your aligners nice and clean. You can brush your aligners with a toothbrush to remove any plaque build-up that may occur.

Pro Tip:If you are out at a restaurant and need to remove your aligners to eat, we recommend taking them to the bathroom and gently rinsing them out in the sink before putting them back in. Don’t forget to always put them in a case!

Soak Your Aligners Every Single Day

Use Invisalign cleaning kits or even denture cleaner to soak your aligners for 30 minutes every single day. This is the best way to ensure your aligners stay as clean as possible. Once they are done soaking, use a soft toothbrush to remove any extra plaque or food particles before putting them back into your mouth.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth Before Putting the Aligners Back in Your Mouth

Wearing your aligners with food stuck inside your teeth could lead to cavities and other dental issues in the future. Be sure to always brush your teeth before putting your aligners back inside your mouth, and floss at least once daily.

Put Your Aligners in Case When Not Wearing Them

When you take your aligners out to eat, drink, play sports, or whatever it may be, make sure to keep them in a protective case. Keep that case with you at all times so you never have to leave your aligners out in the open — and so you don’t accidentally throw them away!

Dos and Don’ts of How to Clean Your Invisalign Aligners

We strongly advise against using toothpaste to clean your Invisalign aligners. While toothpaste works great for your teeth, its abrasive ingredients can discolor your aligners and actually damage them. Instead, consider using these tips when cleaning your Invisalign aligners:

1. Don’t use soaps that are colored or scented. Soaps could stain your aligners and give them an unpleasant taste when you put them back inside your mouth.
2. Do use a retainer or denture cleaner! Soaking your aligners in these solutions can clean most of the bacteria that may build-up.
3. You can also use hydrogen peroxide to clean your aligners. Create a solution with one part water and one part hydrogen peroxide. Then, let your aligners soak for about 30 minutes.
4. Another great option for keeping your aligners clean is using vinegar. Once again, create a solution with one-part vinegar, one-part water. Put your aligners in the solution while you’re eating, then rinse under water and put them back inside your mouth. You may taste a slight sense of vinegar at first, but it won’t last long.

Most importantly, establish a cleaning routine with your Invisalign aligners. Getting into a daily routine of cleaning your aligners early on in your treatment process will make it easier to maintain a healthy smile in the long-run.

Keeping your teeth and aligners in pristine condition during your Invisalign treatment process will result in straight, clean teeth and a glowing smile! If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation. We’d love to hear from you!