How to Clean Invisalign Trays?

At Rose Rock Orthodontics, we want to help you achieve a straight and healthy smile, but we also want to educate you along the way. We want you to trust us even before you decide to book your consultation with us and start your treatment. That’s why we devote time to talking about important topics. Today, we will talk about the importance of oral hygiene and how to take care of your Clear Aligners in Enid; let’s start. 

Taking care of your mouth, teeth, and gums is a valuable lifestyle habit that can positively impact your overall health.

Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease as you age and help you keep your teeth. The importance of proper oral hygiene and eating habits in obtaining and sustaining total physical and mental well-being has been proved. Oral health impacts appearance, interpersonal relationships, diet, nutrition, and speech, all of which can affect your physical and mental well-being.

Furthermore, a mouth infection can spread throughout the body and contribute to various secondary illnesses.

How Often Should You Use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals?

Suppose you have chosen to undergo orthodontic treatment with Invisalign in Enid. In that case, you must keep in mind that along with the great benefits of Invisalign clear aligners, you will have to follow a certain cleaning routine to keep your aligners clean and in good shape throughout the length of your treatment.

Remember that cleaning and rinsing are not the same things regarding Invisalign. Although rinsing your aligners may make them appear cleaner, you have done nothing to address the bacteria that can accumulate.

The following is the basic nightly cleaning procedure provided on the Invisalign website:

• Rinse your aligners with water every night.
• To remove any dirt or food particles accumulated during the day, brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush (not the one you use to brush your teeth every day) and gentle, clear liquid soap.
• After brushing, thoroughly rinse.
• When not in use, keep them in a protective case.

What Can You Use to Clean Invisalign

Your Invisalign aligners should be cleaned twice a day, usually at the same time as your teeth. We also recommend rinsing your aligners with lukewarm water every time you remove them to prevent bacteria buildup—avoid running them under hot water, as this can deform the plastic.

Even if you change your aligners every two weeks, you should clean them thoroughly.

Failure to do so may result in discoloration of the aligners (causing your teeth to appear yellow) or foul breath. You’re also constantly exposing your teeth to bacteria that have grown up.

Should you soak your aligners?

You will need to clean your Invisalign aligners every day. Food and bacteria can quickly accumulate on the trays, so regular cleaning is required to keep them clear and odor-free. Soak your trays at least once a day. Depending on how frequently you eat and take them out, you can rinse them more frequently.

Soaking your aligners in an Invisalign cleaning solution can help remove bacterial buildup and keep them looking clear.

Only Use Water

Hot water may appear to be the best way to kill bacteria and clean your aligners, but it can damage them. Because heat can alter the shape, your trays will not effectively straighten your teeth. To clean effectively without changing the shape of your Invisalign trays, keep the water lukewarm or cold.

Can You Use Baking Soda? 

In Short, Yes! Because of its deodorizing properties, baking soda is an excellent choice for cleaning your aligners at home. Soak your aligners in a cup of water with a tablespoon of baking soda for 30 to 60 minutes. Make sure to thoroughly rinse them and allow them to dry before using them again.

Using Cleaning Crystals for Invisalign

Aside from clear aligners, Invisalign also sells “cleaning crystals,” which are dissolved in water and used to soak your aligners in. These crystals include cleansing agents such as sodium sulfate.

How to Use Cleansing Crystals 

• To remove any leftover food debris, pre-rinse your aligner with lukewarm water.
• Fill your Invisalign cleaning cup halfway with lukewarm water to completely immerse your aligners.
• Pour the crystal packet into the cup.
• Insert the aligners into the solution.
• Allow them to soak for about 15 minutes before removing them.
• Remove the aligners from the cup.
• Rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water to ensure no crystals remain on the aligners.
• Brush the aligners with a soft toothbrush and rinse them under running water to remove any debris stuck to them.
• Finish with a water rinse.
• Dry your aligners. 

After following the above steps, you are now ready to use your aligners again. 

What Foods and Drinks to Avoid?

Invisalign allows patients to achieve a straight, beautiful smile comfortably. There are numerous highly effective orthodontic options on the market, but none work as well as Invisalign.

You have the freedom to go through the process discreetly while also being able to remove them when necessary. While you can still eat whatever you want – unlike traditional metal braces Enid – there are some foods you should avoid.

Gum and other sticky foods: While wearing your aligners, you should avoid eating anything sticky or chewy, including gum. This food puts your Invisalign aligners at risk of damage. If they don’t work properly, it can affect your overall treatment. It simply isn’t worth the risk.

Gum, taffy, chewy candy, jerky, and other foods should be avoided while wearing your aligners.

Foods that are crunchy or hard: While you’re avoiding sticky foods, you might also want to avoid crunchy and hard foods. Popcorn, nuts, hard raw vegetables like carrots, and even meat with bones should be avoided. Biting down on something hard may cause your aligners to crack, affecting your treatment and possibly necessitating the purchase of new aligners.

Remember that it only takes one time. You may have eaten the same food several times without incident, but your Invisalign will crack with just one bite. Don’t take any chances.

Stain-Producing Foods and Beverages: Some foods and beverages can stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, curry, foods high in dyes, and other substances can all turn your pearly whites into shades of not-so-pearly browns and yellows.

Unfortunately, these things can also cause staining to your Invisalign aligners. And you probably chose this orthodontic treatment method because it is discreet.

Stained aligners are anything but discrete. As a result, if you want your aligners to stay clear, you should avoid eating or drinking anything that could damage them.

How To Clean Stained Invisalign Trays

The trays will most likely be discolored or foggy despite your best efforts. Stains on Invisalign aligners can be removed using a variety of methods. Some examples are below.

• In a small bowl, combine warm water and hydrogen peroxide. You can clean your Invisalign trays by soaking them overnight in warm water.
• Brush the trays gently with a baking soda-soaked toothbrush to remove any buildup and discoloration.
• Soak your trays in half water and half vinegar for 30 minutes.

How Often Should You Use Cleaning Crystal for Invisalign?

If you still have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, don’t worry; we are here to help. Visit our website to schedule your next appointment with us.

We look forward to welcoming you to our office.