6 Tips for Maintaining Invisalign Aligners for Optimal Results

Invisalign offers a comfortable, convenient, and discreet orthodontic option to align your smile without wearing unsightly metal braces. While Invisalign is highly effective, they require good care and maintenance for faster and optimal results. In this guide, let’s explore the best practices for caring for Invisalign trays.

Why Invisalign Care and Maintenance Are Important

The condition of your aligners can positively or negatively impact their performance and effectiveness. Proper Invisalign maintenance ensures that your aligners remain in excellent condition, clean, fresh, and clear. It also promotes the health of your gums, teeth, and mouth, preventing the risk of dental issues like periodontal disease and tooth decay, which can disrupt or reduce the effectiveness of your Invisalign treatment. Visit our office for Invisalign in Randolph, MA.

Tips for Maintaining and Caring for Your Invisalign Aligners

Excellent oral hygiene

Good hygiene practices are crucial for keeping Invisalign aligners clean and functional. You should clean your aligners whenever brushing, typically in the morning and night.

A proper cleaning routine for Invisalign trays includes:

• Remove your aligners carefully and rinse them with lukewarm water. Do not use hot water as it can distort their shape and fit.
• Take a soft-bristled brush and apply a small amount of clear, non-abrasive soap.
• Gently scrub all the surfaces of the aligner using small, gentle, circular motions. This helps remove any buildup of bacteria and plaque around the trays, which can lead to odors or infections.
• Rinse the aligners thoroughly under lukewarm water again
• Inspect your aligners to check for leftover buildup or debris, which can appear as a white or cloudy film. If any, deep clean the aligners with a denture or retainer cleaning solution and rinse them under lukewarm water.
• After cleaning, wear the aligners again or store them in their protective case.

Brushing and flossing are vital in maintaining hygiene with Invisalign aligners:

This helps remove plaque and debris from the mouth to prevent dental issues like decay and gum disease, which can compromise your Invisalign treatment. Consider a soft-bristled toothbrush, if possible electric and non-abrasive toothpaste like fluoride toothpaste. Always brush or clean your mouth before wearing your aligners.

Mouthwash:

Rinsing with an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can freshen your breath and reduce plaque and oral infections, promoting optimal Invisalign results. Be sure to avoid harsh mouth rinses like whitening or alcohol-based mouthwashes.

Eating and drinking with Invisalign

Invisalign offers the flexibility of eating and drinking anything as long as you remove the aligners first. Since Invisalign aligners are made from relatively flexible plastic, chewing hot, hard, and chewy items can cause them to lose shape and fit. Similarly, food particles can stain them or get trapped in them, leading to plaque and tartar buildup, which can further lead to bad odors and oral infections.

Thus, you should always remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything. You can only drink clear water when wearing them. After eating, brush or rinse thoroughly before wearing the aligners back. This helps prevent food particles from getting trapped against your teeth, leading to bad breath, staining, and bacterial infections.

Proper storage

After removing and cleaning your Invisalign aligners, always store them in clean and dry protective care to prevent damage, dirt, or loss. Avoid wrapping them in a tissue or napkin, as you can accidentally discard or damage them.

Wearing the Invisalign aligners

Wearing your aligners as directed will ensure faster and more effective results. You should wear the aligners every day for at least 20-22 hours and change to a new aligner tray every two weeks. Not wearing or changing your aligners as directed can delay or disrupt your treatment, reducing the effectiveness of your treatment. Always wear and remove your aligners gently to avoid breaking them.

Regular follow-ups and check-ups

Regular follow-ups and checkups are essential for the orthodontist to monitor your progress and promptly address any potential issues. Your teeth and aligners are also cleaned to reduce your risk of oral infections that can negatively impact your Invisalign treatment.

Do not ignore discomfort or damage

Notify your dentist or orthodontist immediately if your aligners feel uncomfortable or get damaged. Proper aligner fit and comfort are necessary to align your smile without hurting your gums and mouth. Ill-fitting aligners can cause sores and discomfort on your gums, disrupting your Invisalign treatment.

Learn More About Invisalign Treatment and Care

Are you interested in Invisalign near you? Or would you like more tips for keeping your Invisalign aligners clean and clear? Contact Randolph Dental Group to book your dentist consultation today.