How To Take Care Of My Invisalign Aligners

One of the most important elements of your Invisalign treatment plan is taking care of your clear aligners. Our dentists in Winnipeg explain how to care for them while you're on the path to a straighter smile during your treatment. 

Investing the time in caring for your Invisalign clear aligners is an important factor when it comes to reaching your treatment goals. 

Without regular oral hygiene habits, diligent cleaning of your aligners and proper care, plaque and bacteria can accumulate and cause damage to both your teeth and aligners over time. 

Keeping Your Aligners Clean

Rinse. Be sure to rinse your aligners under running water any time you take them out of your mouth, before putting them back. 

Brush. When it's time to brush your aligners (at least once or twice a day), never use toothpaste since it will harm them. Instead, use clear anti-bacterial soft soap with warm water, and make sure to brush them gently. 

Soak. Once a week, soak your aligners in Invisalign's specialized cleaning crystals. These crystals dissolve in water to create a solution for you to soak your aligners in. 

Repeat. Practicing these steps during your treatment will help to keep your aligners clean and free of bacteria, plaque and germs that can grow on them.

Don't eat with your aligners. One of the best parts about Invisalign is that you can take them out when you need to. It is important that you remove them when you eat or drink, otherwise, you could accidentally damage or stain them. The only thing you can consume while still wearing your aligners is water.

Store your Invisalign aligners in their case. Try to make a habit of always storing your aligners in their case. Whether you take them out for a meal or just to brush your teeth, they must go back into their case. If you don't, you could risk damaging your aligners or even accidentally throwing them away. To keep them safe, just make sure you always have your case with you.

Cleaning Your Teeth

Making sure your teeth are clean will go a long way toward keeping your aligners clean and protecting your oral health.

Regular brushing (at least twice a day) and regular flossing (at least once a day) are important in preventing the buildup of bacteria and plaque that can accumulate under your aligners. 

Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth every time you remove your aligners before you put them back in. If that's not possible, be sure to at least rinse the aligners and your mouth with water until you can get to your regular cleaning routine. 

Visiting Your Dentist

In addition to regular cleaning of your aligners and teeth, be sure to attend all scheduled appointments with your dentist.

Not only does this give your dentist a chance to monitor the progress of your teeth, but it also helps to ensure you're on the right path in terms of caring for your aligners and following your treatment plan. 

For more information about Invisalign or how to care for your aligners, contact our dentists at Sturgeon Creek Dental today to book an appointment.