Once you’ve got your custom-made clear Invisalign® trays, shaped from a 3D image of your unique teeth, it’s important to take care of them properly. Taking good care of your trays will help them last longer.
Dr. William M. Schneider, DDS, supports patients in the Walnut Creek area of Northern California with noninvasive orthodontia like Invisalign®. Our office is here to guide you through the process of keeping your mouth clean and healthy while your Invisalign® braces straighten your smile.
If you practice proper upkeep and oral hygiene, your Invisalign® trays should remain invisible and odor-free. Without proper care, your aligners may become discolored and develop buildup of bad-smelling bacteria.
Dos and don’ts for daily care
Here are some tips for taking care of your trays on a daily basis.
Do:
- Take out your aligners every time you eat.
- Rinse your aligners every time you remove them. Your drying saliva and plaque could create a breeding ground for bad-smelling bacteria.
- Brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Invisalign® aligner trays fit closely around your teeth, and you don’t want to trap harmful particles between your teeth and the aligner.
- Gently brush your aligners whenever you brush your teeth.
- Regularly soak your aligners in a cleaning solution. Use a denture or retainer cleaner or the official Invisalign® cleaning crystals.
- Periodically clean your aligners with a clear antibacterial soft soap to keep them clean and clear of bacteria.
- Use your Invisalign® carrying case whenever you take your aligners out, to protect them from scratches and help you keep track of them.
Don’t:
- Leave your aligners in if you’re eating or drinking anything but water, or they might become stained.
- Clean your aligners with colored soaps, which can also cause stains.
- Use toothpaste on your aligners. Most toothpastes are too abrasive for your Invisalign trays and can leave scratch marks and vulnerabilities where harmful bacteria can collect.
- Leave your aligners out where they’ll be exposed to germs and harmful bacteria.
- Skip rinsing when your aligners have been out of your mouth.
If you’re traveling:
Travel can upend daily routines and increase wear and tear on dental gear — not to mention the increased chance of losing your aligners. Here are some tips for taking your Invisalign trays on the go:
- Keep your aligners with you in your carry-on bags when traveling to reduce the risk of them being delayed or lost with checked luggage.
- If you can’t brush or floss after a meal out, take a minute to at least rinse out your mouth and trays before re-inserting them. Make sure to brush, floss, and clean your trays thoroughly as soon as you are able.
- Take some backups. Depending on how long you’ve been using Invisalign, you may have a previous and a next set of trays. If you’re going to be traveling for a while, take all of these sets along. We can advise you about which set will be best to use as a backup if your current set gets lost.
- Pack an extra case, as well, to protect your replacement trays.
- If you’re going to be gone for more than two weeks, let us know. We’ll order replacement aligners and ship them to you directly.
If you have questions about Invisalign® teeth alignment treatment, or the proper care for your alignment trays, contact Dr. Schneider’s office today, or book an appointment online.