Keeping your Invisalign retainers and trays clean is an important component in your overall oral health and is a valuable aspect in ensuring the success of your Invisalign experience. You may be envisioning hours spent brushing, flossing and picking, similar to what is required with traditional metal braces. Fortunately, taking great care of and cleaning your aligners and trays is a breeze.
Pick a Schedule and Stick to It
Your Invisalign aligners should be worn for at least 20 hours a day, so you may find it easiest to follow a schedule for proper care and cleaning of the retainers, just like brushing and flossing your teeth. Good oral hygiene helps prevent tooth decay, cavities and bad breath. Extending this care to your Invisalign retainers will ensure that your mouth stays healthy while the system is doing its job to straighten your teeth and enhance your beautiful smile. Like most new things, once you get into a routine, cleaning your retainers and trays will become a habit that takes almost no time or effort to follow.
Remove While Eating
One of the many benefits and conveniences of wearing Invisalign aligners versus traditional braces is that you are not restricted on what you eat or drink throughout your treatment plan. However, an important caveat to this benefit is that you must remove your aligners while you eat in order to avoid damaging them. You may continue to wear them while drinking most clear liquids, but using a straw is recommended. Drinks such as milkshakes or smoothies should be enjoyed with the aligners removed. Be sure to brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash, whenever possible, before putting your aligners back in.
Following these guidelines not only helps you take good care of your aligners, but it also allows your Invisalign retainers to stay clean and free of food particles and debris.
Brush or Soak
During your Invisalign treatment, you will need to keep up with your regular oral care habits, including brushing, flossing and using mouthwash, but, you will not need to invest in special picks or new equipment because there are no brackets or wires to clean around.
With Invisalign, care and cleaning is as simple as rinsing the aligners and brushing gently with your toothbrush. At bedtime and when you wake up in the morning are the best times to do so, but you may wish to add in other quick cleanings to keep your mouth fresh and clean after enjoying any beverages other than water. There is also a special disinfectant solution designed for the Invisalign system that you may want to soak your retainers in to help keep them clear.
Keep that Smile Healthy and Bright
If you’ve already made the decision to proceed with Invisalign retainers, you’re well on your way to making the most of your smile. If you’re still deciding about which form of braces is right for you, learn more about your options – including care and cleaning, future maintenance and the benefits of both traditional braces and Invisalign – from Dr. Susan Ho at Kensington Natural Smiles. Call our office at 301-933-3903 to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online.