The use of Invisalign aligners for your orthodontic treatment has many advantages. However, when you don’t take care of them properly, you may feel more self-conscious about your mouth than if you had gone with metal braces.
The necessity to clean Invisalign trays is one of the most crucial things to keep in mind. Even though the aligners are supposed to be thrown away every few weeks, they still need to be cleaned. Otherwise, you may have to wear a gross pair of aligners every day.
Discover the best ways for Invisalign maintenance in the upcoming sections.
How to clean Invisalign retainers?
The Invisalign cleaning system is the most professional approach to cleaning Invisalign retainers. However, outside of the United States, the system is more expensive and less accessible.
Cleaning Invisalign with toothpaste:
To clean your retainers, follow these directions:
- Use lukewarm water and a toothbrush with gentle bristles. Brush your retainers slowly from the inside out, just as you would your teeth.
- To clean your retainers of harmful bacteria, use clear, antibacterial soap.
- You can also clean the residue off retainer trays using liquid dish soap.
Cleaning retainers with hydrogen peroxide:
You may clean your Invisalign retainers with hydrogen peroxide. For this, follow these steps:
- Soak your retainer for at least 30 minutes in a mixture of equal parts of warm tap water and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Then use warm water to rinse the retainer.
- Hydrogen peroxide will kill some bacteria, and it will also help in removing the majority of the white tartar buildup. It also restores a great deal of clarity to yellowed retainers.
Even though it is often advised, you should prevent using hydrogen peroxide in the mouth. It can cause free radical reactions and kill several oral bacteria, many of which are necessary for the oral microbiome to function normally.
Cleaning with vinegar:
Using distilled white vinegar to clean Invisalign braces is one of the simplest and most natural methods. Since vinegar contains coloring agents, red wine, malt, and balsamic vinegar will stain your Invisalign aligners. White vinegar, on the other hand, is highly acidic and kills pathogens. To clean your Invisalign with vinegar, follow these steps:
- In a container, place your Invisalign braces and then fill the container with a sterilizing solution composed of one part of distilled white vinegar and three parts of warm water.
- Let the braces soak for 15 to 30 minutes to get rid of plaque.
- Gently scrub them, and then give them a good rinse.
How to Clean Invisalign with Baking Soda?
In addition to having abrasive characteristics to remove hard plaque build-up inside your Invisalign aligners, baking soda is a strong alkaline substance that can destroy bacteria.
To clean Invisalign with baking soda, follow these steps:
- Dissolve one tablespoon of baking soda in one cup of warm water to make a cleaning solution.
- Make sure your Invisalign aligners are completely submerged in the solution for 30 minutes, then remove them and give them a quick brush with a soft toothbrush.
- Avoid applying too much pressure as this could harm the thermoplastic.
- To get rid of any baking soda residue, thoroughly rinse the items in warm but not boiling water. The plastic material may distort when exposed to hot water, rendering the aligners unusable.
Final Thoughts
People often use this treatment to straighten their teeth, but for it to work, you need to consider wearing clear aligners.
To maintain them as transparent and undetectable as possible, practice Invisalign care. Since they are designed to be thrown away, they frequently can’t withstand harsh cleaning techniques such as using hot water or abrasive brushes.
If you’re experiencing difficulties keeping your aligners clean, talk to your dentist. According to your needs, they might suggest some oral hygiene practices that can help you maintain your mouth and aligners clean.