Properly cleaning your Invisalign aligners is essential to maintaining their clarity, supporting your oral hygiene, and ensuring the aligners remain effective throughout your treatment. While our practice is here to guide you through your Invisalign journey—from your initial consultation, fitting your custom-made retainers and monitoring your process. Once your aligners are in your care, their cleaning and upkeep become your responsibility. Regular cleaning helps preserve the aligners’ transparency but also prevents the buildup of bacteria, plaque, and odours, ensuring both your aligners and your smile stay fresh and healthy.
Invisalign cleaning is an incredibly important part of your treatment, in order to maintain not only the good condition of the aligners, but also for your oral hygiene. As part of your Invisalign treatment, we also recommend regular hygiene appointments, typically every 4 months, to ensure the health of your teeth. Good home care is important to ensure your Invisalign aligners stay fresh and help keep your mouth healthy.
What is the best way to clean my aligners?
The best way to clean your aligners is by rinsing them in lukewarm water and using the Invisalign™ Cleaning Crystals or cleaning tablets, such as RetainerBrite. It is important that you gently remove food traps and plaque from around your teeth after eating and before re-inserting your aligners to maintain good oral health. Food residue left in your mouth prior to re-inserting your aligners could cause oral health issues and could lead to deposit and stain build up on the aligners.
Daily Invisalign Cleaning Routine
Here are the steps you should be taking on a daily basis for cleaning your Invisalign:
- Remove and Rinse: Remove your aligners and rinse them under lukewarm water to remove saliva and loose debris. Avoid hot water as it can damage the aligner and melt the plastic.
- Brush Gently: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush (not the one you use for your teeth) to clean your aligners gently with water. Avoid using toothpaste, which can be abrasive and cause scratches.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After brushing, rinse the aligners again under lukewarm water to remove any residue.
Deep Cleaning Routine
Follow this deep Invisalign cleaning routine at least once a week to ensure that your aligners stay in great condition.
- Soak Your Aligners: If you are wearing your aligners for more than one week it is advisable to soak your aligners in a cleaning solution. You can use Invisalign cleaning crystals, denture cleaner, or a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water. Soak for about 15-30 minutes. Ultrasonic baths are also very effective at removing stains and build up.
- Brush After Soaking: After soaking, brush your aligners again with a soft toothbrush to ensure any remaining residue is removed.
- Final Rinse: Rinse the aligners thoroughly with lukewarm water before placing them back in your mouth.
Additional Invisalign Cleaning Tips:
- Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: Remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything other than water to avoid stains.
- Use a Case: Always store your aligners in their case when not in use to prevent loss and damage.
- Avoid Coloured or Scented Soaps: These can leave a residue and cause staining or an unpleasant taste.
- Maintain Oral Hygiene: Gentle brushing, flossing or water jets will help clean your teeth before putting your aligners back in to prevent trapping food particles and bacteria.
- Regular Hygiene Appointments: As with any orthodontic treatment, regular hygiene visits are crucial in supporting your journey to a brighter smile. We recommend these every 4 months to maintain a healthy smile. Book with one of our lovely hygienists to support your orthodontic treatment.
- Sonic Baths: Sonic Baths are a great way to keep your retainers clear. These baths use sound waves to clean your aligners. Please speak to your dental professional for further information.
By following these steps, you can keep your Invisalign aligners clean and maintain good oral hygiene throughout your Invisalign treatment. If you have any questions about how to clean your aligners or about your treatment path, get in touch with the practice today.
For further information, see our post on @thekensingtonhygienst on how to clean your dental appliances.