Congratulations on wearing clear aligners! It means you are on your way to having a truly great smile. Just remember that keeping your aligners fresh and clean every day is important to your health. Unclean clear aligners, such as Invisalign® , can accumulate bacteria and put you at risk for bad breath and tooth decay.
Fortunately cleaning them is easy to do. With just a few simple tools. You will need a soft toothbrush and some antibacterial liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. Cradle the aligner in your hand under lukewarm running water and make a lather with just a little bit of soap using the brush gently scrub the device thoroughly. When you are done rinse well. The clean aligners should go immediately back into your mouth or in its case for safekeeping.
Here are some things you should not use to clean your appliance:
- Toothpaste. It can scratch the plastic allowing more places for bacteria to hide.
- Hot water. Heat can distort the shape of your device making it unusable.
- Bleach. It is too harsh and can ruin the appliance by degrading the plastic.
Wearing your aligners as directed and cleaning them properly will help ensure you get that beautiful smile, you’re working so hard for.
If you have any questions on how to go about this make sure to ask at your next appointment.
To learn more about how to clean your clear aligners, contact one of your convenient orthodontist locations in Carson City, Dayton, Yerington, Mammoth Lakes or Bishop.
