If you wear Invisalign, you deserve aligners that feel as fresh and sparkling as the day you first opened the box. In this blog, we’ll share some simple tips to keep your aligners and mouth fresh and clean.

Do’s of Cleaning Your Invisalign Aligners

Here are the do’s we recommend to follow to keep your aligners bacteria-free. 

 

1. Create a daily cleaning routine

To keep your Invisalign in the best condition, we recommend cleaning your aligners at least once a day (ideally twice). You could implement it into your nightly brushing and flossing routine. This will help remove any buildup of food, debris, and bacteria you accumulate during the day.

 

2. Use a clear, unscented soap

Skip the fruity scented hand soap and go for an unscented, clear soap. Antibacterial soap is best, helping wash away bacteria and rinsing away cleanly with no odd taste. You could also use a specialized Invisalign cleaning product or denture cleaner, but unscented, antibacterial soap is just as effective. 

3. Rinse them when you wake up

We don’t want stinky morning breath all day. Bacteria and plaque build up overnight, so clean your aligners while brushing your teeth. It will start your day off right!

 

4. Rinse whenever you take them out

Rinse your aligners whenever you take them out. This will stop bacteria from forming a dried-out film on your Invisalign, think dry saliva and gunk. All you need to do is rinse them under some lukewarm water. 

5. Brush after eating

Keeping your teeth clean during Invisalign treatment is essential for avoiding cavities and minimizing bacteria buildup. If you are on the go and can’t get in a quick brush, swish around some water before putting them back in.

6. Soak your aligners every few days

Soak your aligners in some Invisalign cleaning crystal solution or denture cleaner to help remove bacterial buildup. This will also help to keep them looking fresh and transparent. 

 

Don’ts of Cleaning Your Invisalign Aligners

Now we are on the No No’s of cleaning your aligners. These are all the things you should stray from doing. 

1. Don’t use toothpaste

We know it seems like a good idea, but trust us, it isn’t. Most toothpaste contains abrasive particles, like baking soda. These particles can help remove stains from your teeth, but not your aligners. When used on your aligners, toothpaste can rub away the plastic, causing grooves and scratches to appear on your aligners, which could make them look cloudy. So, save the toothpaste for your teeth!

2. Don’t use scented or colored soaps

Yes, your pretty scented soaps are in your bathroom, tempting you to use them, but don’t. If you do, you’ll learn quickly that soap does not taste like it smells. Yuck! If the soap is also colored, it could stain your aligners! We don’t want your smile to be colorful; we went the invisible route, remember?

3. Don’t leave them out

We gave you that Invisalign case for a reason! Leaving your aligners out in the open invites bacteria, damage, and possibly your dog’s sudden interest in chewing plastic.  

4. Don’t use hot water

Please stay away from scalding hot water. Very hot water can warp or damage your aligners. Once they are misshapen, they won’t work properly, and you’ll need a new set. Stick to lukewarm water instead. 

 

There you have it, the do’s and don’ts of how to clean your Invisalign aligners! 

If you have more questions about the ins and outs of Invisalign, don’t be shy and reach out. We are here to help you and your smile!