ExecutiveChronicles | 4 Mistakes with Invisalign Cleaning and How to Avoid Them | So you’re on your way to a straighter and healthier smile. You’ve gotten your aligners, you’ve dealt with the initial discomfort of popping them into your mouth, now what?
Your orthodontist will teach you how to clean Invisalign, but it’s important that you know a few mistakes to avoid with Invisalign cleaning right from the get-go. We’re here to help.
Keep reading to learn all about some of the more common mistakes people make when they’re cleaning their aligners.
1. Not Brushing Before Putting Aligners Back In
If you don’t keep your teeth clean, your aligners aren’t going to stay clean. While some buildup is normal even if you’re maintaining good oral hygiene, you’ll discover that it’s far more difficult to clean your aligners later if you keep your mouth dirty.
Every time you go to put your aligners back in, you need to brush (and preferably floss if you’ve eaten). This will keep your mouth as clean as possible (and thus keep your aligners as clean as possible).
It’s normal to find yourself in a situation where you can’t brush right away (such as while you’re on a flight or if you’re out at a restaurant), but even in this case, brush as soon as possible. Remember, when you’re paying that high Invisalign cost, it’s in your best interest to keep your aligners free of grime.
2. Not Rinsing After Removal
Speaking of removing your aligners, make sure that you rinse them every time you remove them. Some people even leave them in clean water, though this isn’t always possible.
Again, it’s normal for some “gunk” to accumulate on your aligners, even if you brush and floss well before you put them in. It’s also normal to experience stains on aligners.
By rinsing them, you remove most of that “gunk” while it’s still soft enough to rinse away, meaning that cleaning is easier later on.
3. Using The Wrong Cleaning Materials
Cleaning Invisalign trays isn’t complicated, and a lot of it is common sense. That said, some cleaning materials are going to be more effective than others.
Many people like leaving their aligners in mouthwash (or rinsing in mouthwash). While this might seem like a good idea, it isn’t the most effective method. Instead, use aligner crystals or denture tablets in warm water when you have your aligners out of your mouth.
Invisalign cleaning tools aren’t complicated. Use a soft toothbrush alongside some non-abrasive toothpaste and gently brush the inside and outside of each aligner every night.
Some people choose to use dish soap instead of toothpaste, but this isn’t recommended.
4. Never Removing Invisalign
You need to keep your Invisalign in your a minimum of 20 hours per day (preferably more), but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t remove them when you’re eating and drinking. This creates more buildup that will be harder to remove later.
It’s normal to have the occasional drink while your aligners are in, but remove them as soon as possible and never eat with them.
Avoid These Mistakes with Invisalign Cleaning
These mistakes with Invisalign cleaning are common among aligner newbies, but they’re easy enough to fix. If you catch yourself making any of these simple errors, it’s time to stop!
Keep your smile clean and healthy by cleaning your aligners the right way.
It is also worth noting that if you have missing teeth, your dentist may suggest getting dental implants in chattanooga first to get the full effect of the aligners.
For more helpful articles all about health and more, visit the rest of our site.
