You’ve chosen Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment instead of braces, and that’s a good start. A few of the obvious benefits of Invisalign treatment are that the aligners are removable and almost invisible. But these detachable trays need proper care and maintenance if you want to reap the full benefits of your orthodontic treatment.
Even though your Invisalign trays are replaced fortnightly, you need to make sure you don’t neglect to care for your trays. Otherwise, the trays will develop a foul odour and a yellowish tinge. The trays can also trap bacteria and plaque, leading to more dental problems.
Here are some dos and don’ts for taking care of your Invisalign trays:
DOS FOR INVISALIGN CARE
i) Cleaning Invisalign Trays Properly
There can be a buildup of bacteria on your trays when you are sleeping at night, so remember to clean your Invisalign trays when you take them out to brush your teeth in the morning.
To prevent saliva and plaque from building up on the aligners, you need to rinse them every time you remove them.
You also need to soak your aligners in a denture cleaner, or you can use a clear antibacterial soap to keep your trays clean and clear. You need to also brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
ii) Use a Proper Case to Store Them
Don’t leave your trays out in the open air when you are not wearing them. Exposure to open air can leave your aligners exposed to bacteria. So, if you aren’t using them, keep them in a proper case.
iii) Brush Your Teeth Properly Before Wearing Them
If food particles are stuck between your teeth when you put them on, you will be effectively trapping them inside your aligners, which will result in cavities and other dental issues.
You should always maintain a proper oral hygiene routine before you put your aligners back on, and cleaning Invisalign should be a part of your oral hygiene routine.
DON’TS FOR INVISALIGN CARE
i) Don’t Eat When You Are Wearing Your Aligners
You can drink water when you are wearing your Invisalign, but that’s it. Drinking hot liquids like tea or coffee, or even soda can damage the trays.
Eating food with the trays on means it will be easier for food particles to get stuck between your teeth to stain your trays and cause bacterial buildup.
ii) Don’t Use Toothpaste as a Cleaning Agent
You might think it is okay to use toothpaste for cleaning Invisalign trays since you use them on your teeth, but toothpaste can damage your trays. The chemicals in the toothpaste can give a dull sheen to your aligner trays, which can make them more noticeable.
iii) Don’t Use Soaps That Are Colored or Scented to Clean
You might stain or damage your trays if you use a coloured or scented soap to clean the trays. Moreover, if you don’t get rid of the soap properly, you can taste it when you put your aligners back on, which can’t be good for you.
You’ll get the best results for your orthodontic treatment if you take proper care of your dental hygiene and remember to care for your Invisalign aligners as well.
While Invisalign is a fantastic dental treatment option, you might be interested in going for something else due to budgetary constraints. If you are looking for some of the best alternatives available on the market, take a look at Clear Aligner Hub’s guide outlining 5 of the best invisible braces alternatives. Thanks to technological innovations and the thriving clear aligner industry, there is no shortage of great alternatives that can be as effective as Invisalign
Author Bio:
Emily Taylor found the perfect fit for herself as the Online Marketing Manager at Thurman Orthodontics in Fresno CA as she believes that a great smile does more than just make a person look great – it makes them feel great as well. The power of a smile has always been a mystery to Emily, and she loves researching and writing about it. She loves to write about everything to do with a healthy bite and a beautiful smile – whether is it ways to achieve it or the importance of it in the various aspects of life. What brings a big smile on Emily’s face is her family and surfing. She also likes to bake, and her children and co-workers call her the cookie fairy!
