How to Properly Care For Your Invisalign Trays

If you’re one of the 6 million people who’ve decided to use the Invisalign® system for straightening your teeth, you’re probably more than excited about your future smile. But now that you have your clear aligners, you may wonder what you need to do to take care of them. 

Well, we here at Bucktown Wicker Park Dental in Chicago, Illinois, want to share some tips on how you can properly care for your Invisalign aligners, so your teeth can stay healthy as they move into their new, more aesthetically pleasing positions. 

The magic of Invisalign

You may find it hard to imagine that the flexible clear aligners you’re using have the ability to move your teeth faster than braces. But the aligners are made of a patented thermoplastic called SmartTrack®, which is strong and flexible. 

The aligners work by gently forcing your teeth into their correct positions. With each new slightly adjusted set you put on, they move your teeth little by little until you have the smile of your dreams. Taking good care of your aligners will improve your treatment results.

Invisalign tray hygiene

To keep your Invisalign trays clean and odor-free, we recommend that you use the Invisalign cleaning system. The system, which consists of a cleaning container and cleaning crystals, removes plaque and bacteria from your aligners. Plaque is a substance made in your mouth that can trap bacteria in your teeth and make your breath smell bad. It only takes a few hours for plaque to harden, and if left to harden, it can be difficult to remove. 

To clean your aligners, place them in the cleaning container and fill it with warm water. Then, add a packet of the cleaning crystals, close the container and shake it to mix it, and let your aligners soak for at least 15 minutes. After soaking, shake the container one last time, remove your aligners, and rinse them under running warm water to remove any of the crystal residue.

You can also brush your Invisalign aligners with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste and then rinse them with warm water. Never use hot water to clean your aligners. The heat can warp the plastic, which may make them ineffective. You should clean your aligners every day to keep them clean and ensure they work as designed.  

Take care of your teeth, too

You may love your Invisalign clear aligners because you can take them out when you eat, drink, or have a special event. These are good reasons, but we also like them because they make it easier for you to maintain good oral hygiene while undergoing your smile transformation.

To keep your teeth in tip-top shape, be sure to brush and floss daily. Furthermore, you should brush after meals to remove any food particles prior to putting your aligners back on. If you put them back in without brushing, you may trap food particles in your mouth. The last thing we want you to do is to create an environment that breeds bacteria. If you can’t brush your teeth, swish with water to remove as many food particles as possible.

To learn more about taking care of your aligners, or to see if Invisalign can help you, book an appointment online or over the phone with Bucktown Wicker Park Dental today.