Caring for Your Smile: How Do You Disinfect Invisalign?

Clean Invisalign Trays = Happy Smiles

Living your best smile means loving your teeth – which can be hard if they’re crooked or misaligned. Luckily, we have an easy, flexible, and removable orthodontic option for you: Invisalign!

Wearing Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth without having to deal with traditional braces. However, it’s important to keep your Invisalign trays clean to maintain good oral health and prevent scratches or stains. When worn properly and kept clean, clear aligners can be an easy, discreet way to transform your smile.

Your local Platinum Invisalign Providers at Pachter Orthodontics are here to help you out with some positively awesome cleaning advice!

Cleaning Your Trays

You should soak your aligners once a day to keep them sparkling. Stuck-on food particles, unseen bacteria, and dental plaque are the enemy of healthy smiles. So, make sure you’re using the cleaning accessories Invisalign sells or a DIY solution during your orthodontic treatment. And, of course – whether you’re wearing metal braces or invisible aligners, make sure that you’re brushing and flossing to keep up with your oral hygiene and prevent cavities!

Cleaning Crystals

Invisalign sells its own brand of crystals and retainer cleaner specifically designed to keep your aligners lookin’ good. While more expensive, this basic cleaning process is super simple and fast. Note: our team gives two thumbs-up to retainer cleaners but not denture cleaners!

Clean your aligners with Invisalign crystals by stirring them into warm water and soaking your aligners for 15 minutes. Then, dentists recommend lightly brushing the inside of the trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush before you put them back in.

Antibacterial Soap

Clear antibacterial soap is the #1 basic cleaning method to keep any removable orthodontic aligners clean. Make sure that your soap of choice is clear and unscented, or else your normally-clear aligners might start looking a little green or blue.

To clean your Invisalign, you can either apply clear liquid soap directly to the trays with a soft-bristle toothbrush or you can soak them in a solution of warm water and cleansing soaps for 30 minutes. Either way, make sure to rinse your aligners afterward to get all the soap off of them!

Other Cleansing Solutions

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), white vinegar, and baking soda are natural antiseptic chemicals that are gentle on Invisalign aligners.

If you want a low-cost option, these are the perfect cleansing agents for you.

Clean your trays by creating a sterilizing solution using water and hydrogen peroxide OR a spoon of baking soda OR distilled white vinegar. Make sure to dilute with plenty of warm water! As always, brush your teeth and your aligners before putting them back in.

What You Shouldn’t Use

Invisalign is the chameleon of correcting smiles, but they won’t stay discreet with scratches or stains. Here are a few things you should avoid when looking at different cleaning methods for your Invisalign aligners.

• Toothpaste: Never use toothpaste to clean Invisalign trays. Abrasive toothpaste can make little pockets for bacteria with scratches. The same goes for abrasive brushes!
• Hot Water: Very hot water can warp your aligner trays if you aren’t careful. Always use warm or cool water when cleaning Invisalign trays.
• Mouthwash: Mouthwash is great for your nightly cleaning routine – just keep it away from trays. Most mouthwashes will turn your normally-clear trays into all kinds of fun colors.

Finding Your Pachter Smile

An Invisalign treatment plan is an awesome way to straighten your teeth and get a stellar smile. Talk to our team in Paramus, NJ, or Middletown, NY, to get started on your very own inside-out transformation with Invisalign. We’re positively excited to get to know your smile!