Tips & Tricks to Cleaning Your Invisalign for a Brighter Smile

In recent years, Invisalign has exploded in popularity, and it’s little wonder why. These clear aligners offer a discreet alternative to traditional ‘train track’ braces, appearing virtually invisible to an untrained eye. However, if your aligners are stained or dirty, they go from being undetectable to immediately obvious.

Given that you’ll be wearing your Invisalign for upwards of 22 hours a day, it’s only natural that plaque, stains and food residue might accumulate over time. Therefore, in order to ensure good oral hygiene and a bright smile, it’s essential to regularly clean your Invisalign. 

But how can this be done? Is a quick rinse enough or does your Invisalign require a more specialised clean? The team here at La Belle Dental Clinic is here to help you through the process.

Key Takeaways:

• Clean your Invisalign aligners at least twice a day using lukewarm water, antibacterial soap, and a soft-bristled brush.
• Avoid food, drinks, smoking, and abrasive products while wearing aligners to prevent stains and damage.
• Use Invisalign cleaning crystals to break down bacteria and maintain freshness.
• Store aligners in a clean case to minimise bacteria growth when not in use.

How often should you clean your Invisalign?

You should clean your Invisalign at least twice a day, ideally during the morning and evening when you’ll already be brushing your teeth. However, if your aligners are visibly dirty – perhaps you forgot to remove them during a meal or put them back in too quickly after a glass of red wine – you may want to give them a clean as soon as possible to avoid staining or discolouration.

How to clean Invisalign

When cleaning your Invisalign, you should first thoroughly rinse them under cold to lukewarm running water to remove any food particles or debris that have built up during the day. Then, use an antibacterial hand soap and a soft-bristled brush to thoroughly clean both the interior and exterior of the aligners. 

You should never use a regular toothbrush or regular toothpaste for this task, as the harder bristles might cause scratches and toothpaste is too abrasive and can cause damage. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the aligners before using them again.

Invisalign also supplies its own brand of cleaning crystals, which offer a more thorough way to break down bacteria and keep your aligners plaque and odour-free. This product is simple enough to use; simply fill a cleaning container with lukewarm water and one sachet of cleaning crystals, before adding the aligners and giving it a quick shake. Then, let it stand for around 15 minutes and give the container one final shake, before rinsing the aligners and popping them back in.

If you’d like specific advice on the best method and products for cleaning your Invisalign trays, you should consult a trusted dental expert, like the team at La Belle Dental Clinic.

How to avoid damage to your Invisalign

Now we’ve talked you through what to do when cleaning your Invisalign, it’s important we cover what not to do as well. This advice will hopefully help to prevent avoidable damage to your aligners:

• Avoid food and drink: Perhaps the most obvious advice of all, you should always remove your aligners before consuming any food or drink – whether that’s a full meal or a quick midmorning snack – as this can cause stains. Furthermore, if food gets trapped in the aligners, this can cause unpleasant odours and contribute towards tooth decay.
  

• Steer clear of smoking: If you’re a smoker, you’re probably already aware that nicotine can cause your teeth to become yellow and discoloured. Well, the same applies to your aligners, and smoking while wearing Invisalign can result in noticeable stains. It’s also best to avoid vaping with your aligners in, particularly if you use a nicotine-based vape.
  

• Don’t use hot water: Very hot water can warp and damage your aligners, so you should only use cold or lukewarm water during cleaning.
  

• Avoid abrasive products: As we’ve already mentioned above, hard-bristled brushes and certain types of toothpaste can prove to be abrasive and cause scuffs and scratches.
  

• Store safely: Leaving your aligners out in the open is a surefire way to encourage bacteria growth. Be sure to carry around a case so that you can safely store your Invisalign during mealtimes.

Contact Our Edinburgh Dental Practice Today!

If you’re looking for an Invisalign expert local to Edinburgh, why not get in touch with the team at La Belle Dental Clinic? We’ll support you throughout the entirety of your Invisalign journey, with our experienced experts always on hand to offer advice on how best to care for your aligners.

For a free consultation or to find out more about any of our dental services, contact our friendly team today.