People choose aligners over braces for discreet teeth straightening. But maintaining aligners to keep them clean is crucial for an effective orthodontic treatment. Dirty aligners can harbor bacteria, leading to oral health issues like cavities and gum disease.
A 2022 scientific study aimed to find the best way to clean aligners. It concluded that aligners can collect germs that might hurt our teeth and gums. Combining brushing with a special solution might be the most effective method for keeping them clean. Proper cleaning routines preserve the aligners’ clarity and ensure the effectiveness of the teeth straightening treatment.
Tired of cloudy aligners dimming your grin? Besides recommending the best at-home dental aligners, we’ll show you how to keep your trays sparkling with tried-and-tested cleaning tricks.
Right Ways How To Clean Aligners
Keeping your aligners clean isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about your oral health! Unclean aligners become a breeding ground for plaque and bacteria. This buildup can lead to bad breath, gum inflammation, and even tooth decay.
Regular cleaning with gentle soap and water, plus occasional soaking in aligner solutions such as Invisalign cleaning crytsals keep your aligners sparkling clear. Hydrogen Peroxide also acts as a whitening and stain-removing agent for aligners. Clean aligners give you a gleaming smile while they remain discreet. Learning how to clean aligners using the following ways ensures your aligner journey is healthy and comfortable.
Place in Antibacterial Soap and Water
Soaking aligners in a solution of antibacterial soap and warm water is the easiest way to clean them effectively. Use a few drops of mild antibacterial soap and mix it in a cup of lukewarm water. Soak the aligners for around 15 to 30 minutes before gently brushing and rinsing them thoroughly. This process helps remove debris and bacteria.
Soak Aligner in White Vinegar and Water
To get rid of mineral deposits and cloudy stains, soak your aligners in a 1:3 mix of white vinegar and lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward. Remember, vinegar can leave a faint smell, so consider another soak in plain water if that bothers you.
Clean in Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda is excellent for stain removal. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with lukewarm water until you have a smooth paste. Gently massage the paste onto your aligners, focusing on stained areas. Soak for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Voilà! A fresh, stain-free grin, all thanks to the gentle power of baking soda.
Cleaning Aligners with Non-Abrasive Toothpaste
For gentle aligner cleaning, opt for non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Gentle brushing prevents scratches or damage to the aligner surface, maintaining its clarity and effectiveness throughout your teeth straightening treatment. Use soft strokes and a gentle touch to help preserve the aligners’ quality for optimal results.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Aligners?
You need to steer clear of a few things to ensure the aligners stay in good shape. As orthodontic treatments like braces and aligners come at a significant cost, protect them from things like hot water, abrasive cleaners, and toothpaste, which can affect the fit, shape, and surface of aligners. The deformation ends up giving the aligners teeth pain and negatively impacts their effectiveness and durability.
Avoiding the following mistakes is crucial to maintaining the aligners’ integrity, and preventing discomfort or pain while ensuring their effectiveness in straightening teeth. Note that these practices are to be avoided for clear retainers as well.
Abrasive Toothpaste
Abrasive toothpaste can scratch aligners, making them prone to discoloration and bacterial buildup. Abrasive substances, like certain types of toothpaste, contain particles that can create tiny scratches or roughen the surface of aligners. These scratches provide spaces for bacteria to accumulate, leading to discoloration and odor.
Moreover, the roughened surface may compromise the transparency of the aligners, making them more visible when worn. Ultimately, these abrasive particles can degrade the aligner material over time, diminishing their effectiveness in orthodontic treatment and potentially affecting their fit.
Opt for non-abrasive, non-whitening toothpaste, clear antibacterial soap, aligner cleaner solution, or foaming toothpaste for effective and safe aligner cleaning, preserving their clarity and hygiene.
Colored Mouthwash or Cleaner
Do not soak aligners in colored mouthwash to prevent potential stains. It’s better to opt for clear or alcohol-free options to maintain both the aligners’ appearance and the color of your teeth and gums. This helps ensure effective cleaning without risking discoloration or harm to the aligner material.
Using the Dishwasher (opt for cleaning crystals instead)
Using the dishwasher to clean aligners may seem convenient, but it risks damaging the plastic, affecting the aligners’ fit and effectiveness. It’s best to rely on manual cleaning methods to preserve aligner integrity. Aligner-specific cleaning solutions such as Invisalign cleaning crystals are a better and safer way to maintain the cleanliness of aligners if you are looking for a dishwasher type of convenience.
Dishwashers use high temperatures and powerful jets of water, along with detergent, to clean dishes. These conditions, while effective for dishes, can potentially harm aligners. The high heat can distort the plastic material of the aligners, altering their shape and fit.
Additionally, the forceful water jets and the detergent used might cause physical damage to the aligners, compromising their integrity and effectiveness in straightening teeth. It’s advisable to avoid using dishwashers for cleaning aligners to ensure their longevity and optimal performance.
Hot Water
Using hot water for Invisalign cleaning can distort the aligners’ shape, impacting their fit and overall effectiveness in correcting misalignments. Lukewarm or cool water is preferable to maintain the aligners’ structural integrity, ensuring they snugly fit and continue their intended role in your teeth straightening journey. This practice safeguards against potential warping or alteration, preserving their functionality for successful treatment outcomes.
Harsh Chemicals
Never soak aligner trays in harsh chemicals as they can react with the material of aligners, causing them to be damaged. Opt for mild cleaning agents to ensure effective cleaning without compromising the aligners’ integrity. This helps maintain the quality of aligners and ensures they remain safe for use in your teeth and oral cavity.
Methods for Proper Everyday Care of Aligners
Besides learning how to clean aligners the right way, taking care of aligners daily is important to ensure their longevity and effectiveness while correcting teeth alignment issues. Aligners’ treatment duration can be significantly impacted by poor maintenance habits, which may harm the plastic material, affecting fit and functionality.
Opting for gentle cleaning agents like clear hand soap, white vinegar, or specific aligner cleaning solutions to keep your Invisalign clean is advisable. Moreover, it’s important to remove aligners only for eating or drinking (except water) and consistently brush both teeth and aligners after each meal. You should also follow these regular maintenance tips:
Store Your Aligners in a Cool, Dry Place
To prevent bacterial growth and maintain their cleanliness, store your aligners in a cool, dry place after cleaning them. The well-ventilated storage cases that come with the aligners ensure proper airflow, preventing moisture accumulation that could foster bacterial development. This practice safeguards your aligners from potential contamination, preserving their hygiene and efficacy throughout the teeth straightening treatment.
The practice also goes for retainers. After cleaning your clear retainer, keeping them in a clean and dry case keeps them bacteria-free and ventilated.
Clean your Teeth Before Wearing Your Aligners
Brushing and flossing before inserting aligners is the best way to make sure that your oral hygiene is optimal. This practice eliminates food particles and plaque, preventing bacterial buildup within the aligners. Prioritizing oral cleanliness not only promotes a healthier mouth but also preserves the aligners’ cleanliness, minimizing the risk of bacterial growth and maintaining effective treatment.
Remove Aligners Before Eating or Drinking
One of the convenient features why people prefer aligners over braces is that they can be removed before eating, and you can put them back later on. This helps you eat with ease and clean your teeth properly unlike when you use braces. The aligners also remain clean as they do not come in contact with food.
Removing your aligners before eating or drinking will prevent staining, debris accumulation, and damage. Adhering to recommended wear guidelines maintains the integrity of the trays, ensuring effective treatment. This practice avoids exposure to potential staining agents and minimizes the risk of damaging the aligners, contributing to successful orthodontic progress.
Final Words
Remember, keeping your clear aligners and retainers clean is crucial for both a dazzling smile and healthy teeth! We have gone in-depth on how to clean them in a proper way. Brushing twice daily with gentle soap and water is the easiest method to keep them clean and germ-free.
Don’t forget to deep soak the trays with aligner solutions. Occasionally use baking soda and water paste or natural options like vinegar and water for stains and cloudiness. Keep the aligners safe by putting them back in their case when not in use. Avoid hot water and abrasive toothpaste, and say goodbye to embarrassing smells and plaque build-up. With consistency and these simple tips, your aligners will shine as bright as your confident smile!
