Choosing an orthodontic treatment that is convenient for you has never been easier. When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free consultation, you’ll get to hear all about the great treatment options we have available to make the time spent straightening your teeth easy and fun. The Invisalign Clear Aligner System is hands down the most convenient treatment option because you can remove your aligners when you eat, brush your teeth, and floss. However, using this treatment does add the step of needing to clean your aligners on a regular basis.
Importance of Keeping Your Aligners Clean
One advantage Invisalign aligners have over traditional braces is it’s not as easy to get food stuck in your teeth after you eat. However, there are other ways plaque can start to build up underneath your aligners, leading to tooth decay. If your teeth are still dirty when you place your aligners back on your teeth, all of the food particles will be trapped and won’t rinse out with water consumption, making matters worse.
Failing to clean your aligners thoroughly can also cause calcium buildup, which can compromise the precise fit of your aligners and subsequently alter your progress. Not to mention, if your aligners aren’t kept clean, they can become stained, defeating the purpose of having invisible aligners in the first place.
Brush Your Teeth and Your Aligners After Every Meal
The most essential strategy for keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is remembering to take them out every time you eat or drink anything other than cold water. If you forget to do this, you risk staining your aligners or possibly warping them due to heat.
The next most important thing to remember is to always brush your teeth after you eat or drink. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to thoroughly clean off your teeth, then do the same to your aligners. When cleaning your aligners, be sure to brush gently in a circular motion on all sides and only use a small amount of toothpaste. This way, both your teeth and your aligners will be clean and you’ll avoid plaque buildup.
Soak Your Aligners
Brushing your teeth and aligners is an essential step in keeping your aligners clean, but you should also take other steps if you want healthy teeth and the best results when you are done. Calcium can start to build up in your aligners even if you’re keeping up with routine brushing. To prevent this buildup from altering your progress, soak your aligners when they aren’t in use with Invisalign’s specialized soaking fluid. Be sure not to use other fluids like mouthwash since they can end up eroding some of the plastic with extended exposure. The fluid provided by Invisalign is designed to break down calcium buildup and prevent bacteria growth without damaging the aligners.
Keeping up with your cleaning routine might be a bit of a challenge at first, so try setting reminders for yourself on your phone or leaving notes on your bathroom mirror to help you remember until it becomes a habit. If you keep your aligners clean, you’ll get done with your treatment and find your teeth are straighter and cleaner than ever.
