How to Take Care of Your Invisalign Trays

Invisalign trays are an alternative for traditional braces used to straighten your teeth. They are made to fit either your top or bottom teeth or both, depending on the teeth that need straightening.

They are meant to stay on your teeth for about 20-22 hours daily, which means they are safe to have on as you sleep. They are transparent, which makes them aesthetically pleasing because they take to the natural color of your teeth.

Using Invisalign does not involve as much discomfort as standard braces typically do. They are also easy to put on and take off in case you want to participate in any sport. The first few days after putting on Invisalign braces, you will feel some pressure and discomfort, which goes away as you get used to them.

The results can take as little as 20 weeks, but that depends on how misaligned the teeth were and how long you keep the aligners on.

If you want to keep your Invisalign braces in tip top form, you’ll need to know how to maintain them. There are several tricks you can use to keep them looking good, and we’ll walk you through some important tips.

Cleaning them regularly

You need to know when and how to clean Invisalign because cleaning them often helps get rid of any food build-up that may occur. That ensures that there will be no bacteria or discoloration.

You should come up with a morning and evening routine where you clean your Invisalign trays as you brush your teeth. To clean them, you can use mild toothpaste and a soft bristle brush. You should have a separate brush to clean them.

Ensure that you clean both the inside and the outside of the Invisalign braces. Avoid using very hot water because the Invisalign trays are made of plastic, and you could weaken or melt them.

Apart from your morning and evening cleaning routine, you have to clean them every other time you remove them. That applies, for example, if you are taking them out to play a sport. That ensures that there will be no saliva or plaque buildup on their surface.

To keep them looking and smelling good, you’ll also want to make sure that you soak them once daily in Invisalign cleaning crystals. All you have to do is put some Invisalign cleaning crystals in a container with lukewarm water and drop your trays in to soak.

After soaking, use a toothbrush to brush off any excess solid food particles on them. If you notice some food buildup or staining that does not come off even after brushing them, bring your aligners to your next dental visit and the office will deep clean them for you.

At Fortson Dentistry, we’ll send you home with a cleaning solution on the day of delivery. This solution is meant to break down any tartar, plaque, and calcium build-up. If you run out, you can also use over the counter dental cleaning tablets. 

Maintain good oral hygiene

Cleaning your Invisalign braces regularly is important but you also need to maintain good oral health habits. Brush and floss twice daily to remove any food and plaque buildup you may have.

Brushing and flossing regularly will ensure that you do not experience further oral problems like bad breath and cavities. Always make certain that your teeth are clean before you put on your Invisalign.

Always have them in their case

After taking off and cleaning your Invisalign trays, dry them and be sure to always return them to their case and close it. When you leave them in the open, they are exposed to a lot of bacteria that can be potentially harmful to your teeth or other environmental factors that may cause them to weaken, damage or break. Always carry your case wherever you go, and be sure to rinse the Invisalign before putting them back in your mouth.

Leaving them in their closed case also ensures that they remain in perfect shape avoiding external elements that could cause them to expand or shrink, making them a bad fit for your mouth and decreasing their effectiveness.

Don’t drink or eat with them on

The only thing you are allowed to do with your Invisalign aligners is drink water. Whenever you want to drink any other beverage or eat any solid foods, you should have them off. That is because they are not built to withstand the pressure of chewing.

They could also get stained, discolored, and corroded by food and drinks.

Use the right products

Do not use any colored or scented soaps and toothpaste when cleaning them. That is because they may leave some of their colors on them and discolor the clear appearance. These may also leave their taste on your braces, which can be uncomfortable and may cause bad breath.

Also, avoid using abrasive products like harsh soaps and toothpaste, or mouthwash to clean your aligners. They will slowly but surely destroy your trays, making them lose their appeal and appear dull over time. They may also weaken your aligners and cause them to break.

If you are using a powerful toothpaste, do not use the one you use for brushing your teeth. Instead, buy another one with mild ingredients. Also, ensure that the soap doesn’t have any abrasives like alcohol.

For scrubbing, do not use any hard substances when you scrub the surface. Instead, use a soft bristle brush to ensure that you do not scrub off your aligners’ top layer.

Taking good care of your Invisalign braces helps to keep them looking new and structurally sound throughout the time you use them. Also, it helps keep your mouth healthy because when you wash them, it gets rid of any food residues and bacteria that would cause oral health problems like gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay.

Keeping your Invisalign aligners looking good also helps improve your confidence because you’ll be able to wear them consistently to help you gain that perfect smile you’ve been after. 

Have questions about Invisalign?

If you’re located in the metro Detroit area – Southfield, Berkley, Royal Oak, etc. – you can request an Invisalign consultation at any of our Fortson Dentistry locations.