After years of dealing with crooked teeth, an overbite, an underbite, or a misaligned jaw, you finally took the plunge and got Invisalign. Now that you are working on correcting your smile, you need to be paying attention to the day-to-day care of your aligners. In order to keep your Invisalign in top shape use this list of ways to keep Invisalign clean. 

Don’t eat or drink with your aligners in

If you’re wearing metal braces, there is an extensive list of foods and drinks to avoid to keep your brackets and wires in good shape. One of the benefits of Invisalign is you don’t need to avoid certain foods, because you are supposed to take your aligners out while eating or drinking. Doing this will keep your aligners free from damage (from sharp food like pretzels, chips, etc.) or stains (from dark food like soda, coffee, pasta sauce, etc.).

Soak your aligners daily

Invisalign crystals are the best product to use to soak your liners. They normally come in packs of 50, which will last you almost two months. Simply follow the instructions and leave your Invisalign liners soaking for 15 to 20 minutes. This will remove any plaque and bacteria from your aligners, ensuring they are clean and ready to be worn the rest of the day. 

Don’t leave your Invisalign aligners out in the open

Leaving your aligners out in the open can cause them to grow bacteria. It can also make it easy to accidentally throw them away. Each time you take out your aligners, make sure to put them in a case. This will prevent them from growing bacteria or attracting dust or dirt, and it will keep them safe until you put them back in your mouth. 

Don’t use the wrong cleaners

Brushing your Invisalign trays with water or using specialized cleaning solutions are great ways to keep Invisalign clean. Using the wrong type of cleaner, however, can cause damage to your trays. Types of cleaners to avoid include denture cleaners, mouthwashes, scented soaps, or abrasive toothpaste. You should also avoid any soaps or cleansers with added dyes, as these can stain your trays. Since the trays are clear, they will soak up any coloring from dyes or dark liquid. Cleaning them with hot water can change their shape, so only use lukewarm or cold water when cleaning them. 

Rinse your aligners to keep Invisalign clean

Every time you take your aligners out, rinse them under cold water. While you only need to soak them once a day, rinsing them every time you remove them will get rid of any lingering bacteria and food particles. 

If you feel ready to start your Invisalign journey, contact Bruno Orthodontics today! We can meet with you for a free consultation to discuss the next steps to a healthier smile.