How to Clean Invisalign

When you start Invisalign with Smile Stories, you’ll notice we include information on how to keep your Invisalign aligners clean, because it’s important! This isn’t always the case when you start at different dental clinics though. Even the official Invisalign website seems a little sketchy on the details. 

So it will come as no surprise that the question we get asked most, after the fees and how they work, is, “how do I clean my Invisalign?”

If like so many others you’re searching for reliable information from a trusted source, our Invisalign Aesthetic dentists have the answer to your question.

How To Clean Your Invisalign

It’s really easy to take care of your Invisalign and you don’t need any specialist equipment.

Simply rinse them in cold water and give them a brush with a soft toothbrush and pop them back in, after you’ve cleaned your teeth. Do this morning, night and whenever you take them out during the day to eat.

There are also some nifty cleaning tablets on the market. You have the option to soak them in these cleaning products to remove any bacteria, foodstuff or cloudy white residue that might be clinging to them.

Why Cleaning Invisalign is so Important

It’s important to take care of your Invisalign properly to ensure that they remain clean, comfortable and invisible. Remember that you will be wearing them for around 22 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Cleaning your aligners with a soft-bristled brush helps to remove plaque that can build up inside them as well as debris that sits on them.

It prevents them from becoming stained, discoloured or smelly.

Create a daily routine where you clean the Invisalign aligners in the morning and night when you clean your teeth, and after you eat.

Creating a Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

It’s good to get into a daily routine with oral hygiene to prevent the build-up of plaque, but even more so when you’re wearing Invisalign. 

Morning and Night

• Rinse your aligners with water and brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush – this helps to remove excess saliva, plaque and any food particles. Brush the insides and outsides of the aligners. You can use the same brush you use for your teeth.
• Brush and floss your teeth before placing your aligners back in. If you don’t, you may have bits of food or plaque stuck in your teeth which could lead to gum disease, cavities or smelly and dirty aligners. 

During the Day

You’ll hear our dentists repeat this like a broken record. You can drink with your Invisalign in, but you must take them out to eat.

However, you must brush your teeth before you place them in your mouth after eating. Imagine, when you eat a meal the food collects in the valleys on the biting surfaces of your teeth. The food will get stuck between your aligners and teeth if you don’t brush them, and this can cause decay.

One of our top tips for Invisalign is to get into the habit of taking your Invisalign case to store your aligners in when you take them out. They’re clear and have a tendency to magically disappear. You could also pack a soft toothbrush as well so you can give them a quick clean before you pop them in.

Luckily, Smile Stories have you covered. When you start Invisalign we’ll provide you with a complete Care Package with all the cleaning bits you need to take care of your teeth and your aligners when you start your Invisalign teeth straightening.

Invisalign Cleaning Products 

Generally, cleaning your Invisalign aligners with a toothbrush and water should be enough, but for all of you clean queens, you can go the extra mile.

The best way to do this is to soak them in a recommended cleaning product.

If you check out the official Invisalign website you will come across several cleaning products. With cleaning crystals, cleaning solution, sprays and foam available. It can be quite confusing at first. 

The products we recommend are the Invisalign crystals, you probably got a sample pack with your aligners. To use the official Invisalign cleaning crystals simply add one packet of cleaning crystals to 100ml of water, allowing them to dissolve and then add your Invisalign aligners for 20 minutes.

You can also use a cleaning product designed for retainers like Retainer Brite which is meant specifically for removing the foggy white build-up that can appear on clear trays.

How Often Should They be Cleaned?

Although aligners are disposed of every one to two weeks, one of the most important things to remember is cleaning them.

To keep them invisible, like they’re supposed to be, make sure that you rinse and brush them regularly. Take a look above at the section on creating a daily oral hygiene routine for more on this.

If you happen to put them in too quickly after eating or they appear visibly dirty, give them an extra clean to prevent staining.

When it comes to the optional cleaning products, like the Invisalign crystals, manufacturers suggest that you use these daily.

Cleaning Products to Avoid Using

We’ve heard of some Invisalign clients using a few everyday dental products to clean their aligners, but it’s not a good idea to use anything other than products designed for use with Invisalign as they could get damaged or stained. 

It’s important to follow the instructions above and not use harsh cleaning products such as denture cleaners, mouthwash, abrasive cleaners, coarse brushes or toothpaste on them. 

It’s also a good idea to avoid cleaning soaps or solutions that have added dyes as they could stain your aligners. If having red, blue or green teeth for the next week is your look though, carry on.

You might be able to clean your reading glasses in the dishwasher but don’t try cleaning your Invisalign aligners in the machine as they will get too hot and melt. With this in mind make sure you don’t rinse them in hot water as the same warping effect will happen. 

The Upshot

It’s really easy to take care of your aligners, simply give the aligners a wash and a brush every time you take them out to clean your teeth or eat and drink. Remember you also have the option to use a cleaning product specially developed for Invisalign. 

Developing a good oral hygiene routine is the best way to keep your teeth, gums and Invisalign in tip-top condition. 

If you struggle to keep them clean them, contact your dentist for further help.