Are your crooked teeth looking for a direction? In this situation, aligners can be your best shot! We understand the need to fix your teeth while being skeptical of investing and maintaining Invisalign clear aligners. If you are new to it, stay with us till the end to learn the best way to clean Invisalign.
It is crucial to know why cleaning Invisalign is essential. They are detachable clear or transparent aligners that do not show up when on teeth. Instead, it feels almost invisible, so proper cleaning is a must.
Best Way To Clean Invisalign
The easiest way of taking care of your Invisalign tray is to wash it using a toothbrush and rinse with lukewarm water. You can also add specialized cleaning crystals for intense bacterial cleanse.
How Often Are You Supposed To Clean Invisalign Trays?
The best practice is to clean your aligners every night with a brush and crystals after you call it a day. Invisalign stays on throughout the day, you eat and drink with the tray on, so they are bound to have food particles and bacteria.
If you leave them it is, bacterial multiplication will occur and rot your teeth once you wear the uncleaned one again.
5 Methods To Clean Invisalign Properly
There are dedicated cleaners on the market available for the best results. However, if you need more time to get your hands on one, follow any of these 5 methods.
Use of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best chemicals for stain and dirt removal in low quantities. The method of use is not complex; just soak your tray first, and then use a brush to clean off the dirt gently; finally, rinse before using.
Baking Soda and Water Solution
This can be your go-to cleaning agent at home. To make it mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in half a cup of water. Once the dissolution is complete, soak your aligners in it for about 60 minutes. Once done, rinse your Invisalign squeaky clean with water.
Soap and Water
If you are habitual in eating greasy food or if your diet has significant portions of cheese and dairy, then soap and water can be your aligner’s best friends. Prepare your solution by taking a small amount of liquid soap and mixing it in lukewarm water.
Distilled Vinegar
Distilled or diluted vinegar really helps in washing away dirt and bacteria. Mix 1 portion of white vinegar with 3 portions of lukewarm water. Then, place your aligners in it for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
Using Antibacterial Soap
Dentists do not recommend using a fragrant soap to clean Invisalign retainers and suggest only antibacterial for this purpose.
3 Maintenance Tips for Invisalign
Here are some tips that can help you enhance the life and functioning of the aligners.
Keep your Trays inside a Case
In case of reckless storage, your Invisalign tray is prone to damage and bacterial attack, and the chances of it getting lost increase multifold.
Soak Invisalign in Cleaning Crystals
These special cleaning crystals can eliminate bacterial accumulation, bad smell, and staining from the trays. Make a solution by mixing the crystals in water and soaking aligners in them. After 20 to 30 minutes, brush and rinse them.
To Sum Up
Invisalign clearly (quite literally) gives you the invisible effect, all the while putting slight pressure to change the direction of your teeth, keeping the positing in place. Therefore, maintaining cleanliness for maximum results and no complication is a must. If you are looking for options and more information about Invisalign, contact Cinco Ranch Family dentistry in Westheimer Pkwy Cinco Ranch, TX.