Without proper care, bacteria may build up inside the mouth faster while orthodontic treatments such as braces and clear aligners are being used. Invisalign, also known as a clear aligner, is a removable retainer used to straighten teeth. It is used to fix an overbite, open bite or crowded teeth.
Invisalign retainer can be an alternative to traditional metal braces and it utilizes a series of clear plastic trays that make the treatment less noticeable.
When wearing clear aligners, it is extremely important to always keep your mouth germ-free. Proper care for your Invisalign will help you achieve the best result and it will help you avoid having to spend more money on new retainers.
Your clear aligners must be cleaned regularly and it only takes a few minutes a day especially if you have your Invisalign cleaner.
Here are some tips on how to clean Invisalign properly:
- Clean your retainer regularly
Retainers need to be cleaned on a daily basis, starting from the time you wake up in the morning. Bacteria multiply during nighttime when we are asleep. The retainer can be the breeding ground for foul-smelling bacteria due to dry saliva and plaque if not properly cleaned.
It is important to rinse your retainer every time you take it out of your mouth to make sure that dry saliva and plaque build up are prevented.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush your retainer softly targeting food residue which may eventually build plaque. To make sure that your trays are bacteria-free, wash it with anti-bacterial soap.
- Soak your aligners in a solution
Brushing may not be enough to clean your Invisalign because there are corners which are hard to reach. It’s recommended that you soak your aligners in either a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Soaking your Invisalign retainers in the said solution will keep your trays clean and sanitized. After soaking or if not in use, never leave your aligners exposed or unprotected because germs and bacteria might contaminate it.
- Brush and floss your teeth
Your Invisalign retainers are attached to your teeth so it is very important to also clean your teeth before reinserting your Invisalign. If you don’t brush or floss, the food stuck in between your teeth will be trapped once the retainers are put back in. This could lead to cavity build up as well as other dental problems.
Invisalign retainers offer a way to have a perfect smile in the most unnoticeable way. But without proper care and oral hygiene, bacteria can build up causing unwanted odor, discoloration and tooth decay. A little effort on cleaning your Invisalign will ensure that you get the best results.
If you need more information about how to take care of your teeth, head to our blog page now.
