How to Clean Invisalign Aligners

 Now that you have received your Invisalign aligners, it’s time to celebrate. No food adjustments needed! Easy cleaning! Ultimate comfort! And more importantly, soon you will get to show off your beautiful smile to those around you. However, for optimal results, you will have to practice basic oral hygiene. Aside from brushing and flossing, it is also best practice to clean your retainers. Failure to do so will cause bacteria to build up and may lead to tooth decay or periodontal disease. As a trusted Invisalign provider in Olivette Mo, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to properly clean your Invisalign aligners. Read on for more.

 

Cleaning your Invisalign aligners

The beauty of Invisalign aligners is that they offer you the chance to achieve your dream smile while remaining virtually undetectable. However, aligners can begin to dull and become more noticeable if you fail to clean them properly. Wearers have several options for cleaning their retainers, some more time-consuming than others. Sometimes a simple nighttime rinse should be enough. Simply, run under cool or warm water, gently scrub with a toothbrush then rinse. That’s it! For a more thorough clean, we recommend the following:

 

The Invisalign cleaning system

There are several Invisalign cleaners on the market, but we would recommend Invisalign’s cleaning crystals. They are especially great for discolored or stained aligners. To clean your aligner, you would need to first remove your aligners and then rinse them with cool or warm water. Place them in the soaking tub with the specified amount of water, add an Invisalign crystal and let the trays soak in the solution for about 15 minutes. The downside to the Invisalign cleaning system is that it’s a bit expensive. In this case, you can opt for Polydent denture cleaner as it is more affordable.

 

Distilled white vinegar

Making a DIY Invisalign and retainer cleaner is the next best way of achieving a thorough clean on a budget. White vinegar is not only safe but it’s also great at removing plaque build-up and deodorizing your retainers. The recommended mixture tends to be one part distilled white vinegar and three parts lukewarm water. For the best results, let the aligners soak for about 15 to 30 minutes.

 

How often should I clean my Invisalign aligners?

As a rule of thumb, you should clean your Invisalign aligners at least once a day. We would, however, encourage you to do it twice if you wish to keep them looking and smelling their best. Be sure to rinse your aligners under lukewarm water (not hot) each time you take them out. This will help prevent bacteria build-up.

 

We are here to help

If you have any further questions on how to clean your Invisalign aligners, we would be more than happy to answer them. We are proud to be a certified Invisalign provider in Olivette, Mo and we are ready to help you get your dream smile with our Invisalign treatment! Give us a call at 314-804-1045 or fill out our contact form today.