Did You Just Get Invisalign? Use This Go-To Guide to Care For Your New Aligners
Getting orthodontic treatment for the first time is exciting, and the anticipation of your smile transformation can be a thrilling process! Invisalign treatment makes straightening your teeth satisfying as you can often see the results faster than you would with metal wires and brackets. You can also take your aligners out for eating and cleaning.
While caring for your aligners is a breeze, you don’t want to miss a single step. Dr. Kathryn Swan will make sure to walk you through how to care for your aligners. You can also use this guide as a refresher for any follow-up questions.
Follow a Simple Cleaning Routine
You should clean your new aligners every time you brush your teeth when taking them out to eat and drink. Including aligner cleaning in your regular oral hygiene routine keeps your aligners fresh, and it makes sure you won’t forget this important step. You can clean your aligners by following these simple steps:
Rinse Your Aligners In Lukewarm Water
You’ll want to start by rinsing your aligners to remove any leftover food debris and saliva. Make sure to use lukewarm water. If the water is too hot, it could warp your aligners.
Brush Your Aligners
Your next step is to use your toothbrush to gently brush your aligners both inside and out. You’ll also want to use small, circular motions much like you do when you brush your teeth. This will remove any plaque and bacteria build-up on the aligners.
Check to See If It Is Time to Soak
Over time, calcium deposits can build up on your aligners. When you see this film, it is time to give your trays a good soak in an approved cleaning solution- you can use the Cleaning Crystals that came with the aligners, Steraligner (which we have for purchase at our office), or even denture cleaner. With this part of your care routine, you’ll simply follow the directions provided with the solution to get your aligners squeaky clean.
Place Your Aligners In a Safe Place
After you’ve finished the final rinse, the safest place to put your aligners is in your mouth. This is especially ideal since we usually recommend wearing your aligners for the majority of the day and night. If you aren’t replacing them right away, keep them in the case, so you know where they are at!
Remember to Wear Your Aligners With Care
At Swan Orthodontics, we sometimes see patients who eat or drink while still wearing their aligners. Eating with the aligners can build up bacteria on the tooth surface or the aligners, which can cause permanent discoloration of the teeth( decalcification), staining, and even decay! You should only have water with the aligners in, anything else may have a different PH, or sugars which can increase the likelihood of these negative side effects.
If you want your aligners to stay undetectable, you’ll want to remember to remove them during mealtimes and if you plan to drink anything that could cause stains.
Contact Us
For more information on caring for your Invisalign Aligners, read our Invisalign wear and care guide. The first step to caring for your Invisalign aligners is making an appointment to make sure that this type of orthodontic treatment is a good fit for your needs. You can schedule a consultation at our Caledonia, MI office by filling out our online form or giving us a call. We look forward to helping you love your smile.