How to Properly Care for Your Invisalign
Posted on March 15, 2023
Invisalign is a great system for straightening teeth without the need for traditional braces. This system uses clear aligners to move the teeth into better positions over time. According to a North American survey, more than 96% of patients are satisfied with Invisalign. When you use the system, it’s important to take good care of the aligners. They are made from strong plastic and need certain care to keep them in good condition.
Remove Before Eating
It’s important to remove your aligners every time you eat something. It can be tempting to just try to eat neatly and avoid taking them out, but it’s important to take them out before you start to eat anything at all. This keeps your aligners much cleaner, and it keeps you from chewing while you have them in, which can cause damage to them. Food can also stain aligners, making them less “invisible.” When you take them out, make sure to rinse them thoroughly.
Clean Your Aligners Regularly
One of the best things you can do for your Invisalign aligners is to regularly clean them. It’s a good idea to clean them every morning as well as again in the evening when you’re brushing your teeth. This can be an easy habit to get into. When you clean them, use a soft toothbrush and a little bit of toothpaste to get them clean. Use gentle motions to clean both aligners so that bacteria is removed before it can cause any damage to your teeth when you put the aligners back in. Don’t use anything on them that could be abrasive. Never use mouthwash, denture cleaner, or regular soap to clean them. These can all be abrasive and cause scratches to the material that can then make them easier to see.
Use Your Case
When you take your aligners out, be sure to always use your case to store them. You may be removing them to eat or to brush your teeth, and they need to go into a case. If you don’t get into the habit of storing them in a case, they are easy to lose or throw away by accident. They may also get damaged in a number of other ways. Keep your case with you so that it’s always available to hold your aligners.
Take care of your Invisalign aligners so that they will continue to have positive effects on your teeth. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment for Invisalign.