If you want to straighten your teeth, but don't want to put up with the discomfort and embarrassment of metal braces, Invisalign could be a good solution for you. These clear plastic aligners are designed to be almost invisible, allowing you to correct your smile without compromising your professional appearance. To keep Invisalign aligners free from stains and smells, you need to clean them every day. Follow these six steps to keep your invisible braces clean.
1. Take Invisalign Aligners Out to Eat
When you have a meal, or even just a snack, you need to take your Invisalign aligners out. Eating while wearing your aligners can cause stains to develop on the aligners, as well as allowing tiny traces of food to get stuck under them. Taking your aligners out before eating can help keep them clean.
2. Store Aligners Safely
When you go out to eat, bring a container that you can use to store your Invisalign aligners during the meal. Leaving the aligners sitting on the table while you eat not only puts people off their food, but also it allows bacteria to contaminate the aligners. Put them in a sealed container to keep them safe.
3. Clean Your Teeth After Eating
Before you put your Invisalign aligners back in your mouth, brush your teeth to remove traces of food and dental plaque. Placing your aligners into a clean mouth helps to protect them against staining compounds that can remain in your mouth after a meal.
4. Brush Your Aligners Daily
You need to clean your Invisalign aligners every day to keep them hygienic and stain-free. Use a soft toothbrush to brush them each morning and night until no traces of dental plaque remain.
5. Use Cold Water and Dish Soap For Cleaning
Hot water can cause Invisalign aligners to deform, which could mean they no longer fit your teeth correctly. Use cold or lukewarm water to clean your aligners so you don't accidentally warp them. Similarly, it is not a good idea to use toothpaste on your aligners, as abrasive materials in the paste can scratch the surface of the aligner, which causes it to look dull or discoloured when you wear it over your teeth. Use a dilute solution of dish detergent to brush the aligners and remember to rinse thoroughly before putting them back on your teeth.
6. Use a Cleaning Solution to Remove Stains
If your Invisalign aligners become stained, ask your orthodontist about soaking solutions you can use to clean them more deeply. Alternatively, mix equal parts vinegar and water and use this homemade solution to soak your aligners for half an hour.
