How To Clean Invisalign Trays

If you’re thinking about getting Invisalign or will soon receive your first trays, maintenance is likely on your mind. While this procedure provides an easier and more discrete way to strengthen your teeth, patients are not completely without some responsibility.

Clearing your Invisalign trays is one of the most important parts of your treatment, even though you are likely going to need to change your trays every few weeks as the position of your teeth shift. But, the alternative would be to wear dirty trays, which could have a massive negative impact on your oral health!
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How to Properly Clean Your Invisalign Trays

You should be cleaning your aligners on a daily basis, preferably at night and right after you brush and floss your teeth. This will help you remove harmful bacteria and ensure your teeth don't get exposed to extra unwanted particles for long periods, this can lower your risk of cavities.

Also, know that there is a big difference between cleaning your aligners and just rinsing them. Rinsing might make the aligners appear clean, but the debris can still be present in the trays, even if you don’t see it. 

Here are some general tips on cleaning your aligners:

• Rinse your aligners with water every night, and after you’ve eaten/drank something that stained your trays

• Gently brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap to remove any food particles and bacteria which may have built up in your trays

• Rinse the trays thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap

• Always store them in their protective case when you are not using them

• Avoid cleaning your aligners with harsh substances like alcohol mouthwash, toothpaste, scented soaps, denture cleaners 
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Other Invisalign Maintenance Tips

Apart from cleaning and rinsing, here are some other things you can do to properly maintain your trays:

• Take out your aligners before eating to prevent food build-up
• Drink only water with your aligners in to prevent staining
• Don’t use hot water to clean the trays, as the plastic can change its shape
• Always store the aligners in an airtight container when you’re not using them
• Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours every single day to get the best results

Through these practices, you can properly maintain your aligners and get the best results over the course of your treatment. 
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Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign? Come to Forest Lake Smiles to Find out!

If you’re interested in straightening your teeth in a really discreet way, Invisalign is the perfect choice! Forest Lake Smiles is here to help you access the best orthodontic services that will give you the smile of your dreams. We’ll help you determine if Invisalign is the best treatment option for you.

To get started, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jonathan Siverson online, or call our office directly at (651) 464-8207 for more information about our services.