Four Steps to Caring for Your Clear Aligners

Dr. [doctor_name] and our [practice_name] team offer clear aligners for our patients wanting to straighten their teeth without the visibility of brackets and wires. Many of our patients in [city], [state] have successfully used Invisalign®  clear aligners to align their smile discreetly.

Since you will be committing to wearing your aligners 22 hours a day, caring for your investment is wise. You will want to maintain your aligners as they work to shift your teeth gradually into place. We have four easy steps to help you care for them while they straighten your smile.

Step No. 1: Unlike braces, you can remove your aligners when you eat or clean your teeth. Be sure to rinse them with cold water to thoroughly remove bacteria and saliva residue from the material. Hot water will warp them and negatively impact their integrity. Note: don’t want to run them through the dishwasher for this reason.

Step No. 2: Diligent daily oral hygiene is essential whether you are straightening your teeth or not. Take the time to brush and floss your teeth well before putting your aligners back in. Make sure to remove food particles and oral debris that could invite plaque and promote tooth decay.

Step No. 3: When it comes to cleaning your clear aligners, it is safer to clean them with antibacterial soap, not toothpaste. Rinse them completely to remove soapy residue before you put them back on your teeth. The reason you don’t want to use toothpaste on your aligners is that it can have abrasive ingredients that may scratch them, affecting their clarity and making them more visible in your smile.

Step No. 4: While mouthwash is effective for lowering bacteria and killing germs, oral rinses with green or blue coloring will tint your aligners. You can, however, safely soak them in colorless denture or retainer cleaner to avoid discoloration.

If you would like to know more about caring for your clear aligners in [city], [state], please reach out to our [practice_name] team at [phone] or to schedule a visit. Dr. [doctor_name] and our team are happy to help you receive the quality care your smile deserves with Invisalign clear aligners.