Many patients appreciate teeth straightening treatment with Invisalign because of its discreet appearance. Metal brackets and wires with braces appear harsh on your smile, but clear-colored Invisalign aligners look subtle on your teeth. They will not disrupt the look of your smile as you complete cosmetic dental treatment.
However, in order to prevent yellowing or staining on your Invisalign, you will need to clean it effectively. You will require more than your usual oral hygiene routine to maintain your aligners. Read on to find three tips from your dentist that can help you keep Invisalign clean and looking and feeling its best.
How to Keep Invisalign Clean
Remove Aligners When Eating or Drinking
One of the advantages of choosing Invisalign over traditional braces is that you have the freedom to take the aligners out of your mouth when needed. For instance, as you eat, you can remove Invisalign to chew freely. This means you will not have to limit your diet and avoid chewy or hard foods that could harm brackets or wires.
In fact, dentists request that patients remove Invisalign during meals. This way, food will not get trapped in the plastic appliance. Over time, foods and drinks, especially those dark in color, can stain the clear-colored aligners too. To preserve the appearance of your aligners, you should follow your dentist instructions. Take out Invisalign as you drink and eat.
Continue Good Oral Hygiene
In order to keep your Invisalign clean and looking pristine, you will want to keep your teeth and gums clean too. This means continuing to complete your oral hygiene routine as you normally would.
Because Invisalign features removable aligners, you should take them out when brushing your teeth and flossing. This way, you do not experience a disruption to your ability to clean your smile like you would when maneuvering around metal braces.
Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day and floss on a daily basis. Visit your dentist for regular teeth cleanings and oral exams too to get optimal preventative care for your smile. If plaque or other residues remain on your teeth, they can transfer to your Invisalign and create stains on the aligners.
Practice Separate Cleaning Regimen for Invisalign
Just as you clean your smile, you will also need to complete a separate cleaning regimen for your Invisalign aligners to keep them looking their best. You can brush the aligners at the same time you do your teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching them and choose a gentle paste or cleanser that does not contain abrasives.
You should also rinse your aligners well before placing them back in your mouth. Make sure all of the cleanser is gone. Rinsing Invisalign before putting it back in your mouth after eating will also keep them clean as well. Avoid hot water on your Invisalign as the high temperatures could melt or warp your aligners out of shape so that they no longer fit.