The Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Your Invisalign Trays – Caring For Your Aligners

Not sure how to clean your Invisalign aligners? In this blog from Mansfield Orthodontics, we’ll provide you with some tips on how you can care for your Invisalign trays properly, and make sure you keep them clean and free of bacteria. Get all the details you need now.

Cleaning Invisalign Trays Do’s – Follow These Tips!

If you follow these tips, your aligners will remain clean and free of bacterial buildup, and you won’t have to worry about accidentally damaging them!

• Do use an unscented, clean-rinsing soap to clean your aligners – An unscented, clear antibacterial soap will wash away bacteria and rinse away cleanly. You can use specialized Invisalign cleaning products if you want, but a high-quality soap will be just as effective.‍
• Do rinse & clean your trays and teeth when you wake up – This helps remove plaque and bacteria that build up during the night, keeping your trays and teeth clean and preventing bad breath.‍
• Do rinse your aligners whenever you remove them – Rinsing your aligners under warm water every time you take them out will stop bacteria from forming a dried-out film on your aligners.
• Do always brush after eating – Keeping your teeth clean while wearing your aligners is essential for avoiding cavities and minimizing the buildup of oral bacteria. Do your best to brush after every meal, or rinse thoroughly with mouthwash if brushing after every meal is not an option.
• Do soak your aligners every few days – Soaking your aligners in an Invisalign cleaning solution can help remove bacterial buildup, and keep them looking fresh and transparent.
  

Cleaning Invisalign Trays Don'ts – Avoid These Common Mistakes!

There are a few common mistakes that we see Invisalign patients make when they are caring for their aligners. For the best results, avoid these Invisalign “don’ts” when maintaining your trays.

• Don’t use toothpaste to clean your trays – Most types of toothpaste contain an abrasive like baking soda or silica. These abrasives help remove stains and plaque from your teeth. But when applied to plastic Invisalign trays, they can rub away the plastic, causing grooves and scratches to appear on your aligners, and making them look cloudy. ‍
• Don’t use scented/colored soap to clean your trays – If you use a scented or colored soap to clean your aligners, they’ll taste nasty when you wear them. Some colors used in soap could also stain your aligners. Stick to unscented, uncolored soap. ‍
• Don’t leave your aligners out in the open – You should keep your aligners in their carrying case whenever you’re not wearing them. This prevents bacteria from collecting on them, and also protects them from damage.‍
• Don’t use extremely hot water to clean your aligners – Use only lukewarm water to clean your aligners. Very hot water can warp and damage your aligners, damaging them and delaying your treatment. 
  

Follow These Tips To Keep Your Invisalign Trays Clean!

As long as you follow our tips and avoid common mistakes when cleaning and caring for your Invisalign trays, you’re sure to have an easy time caring for your smile throughout the Invisalign treatment process. 

Interested in restoring your smile in Mansfield with Invisalign? Contact Mansfield Orthodontics now online or by phone at (508) 964-4800 for a consultation with Dr. Mindy Altemose. Dr. Altemose can discuss your options for orthodontic correction, and determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. Get started now!