Caring for Your Invisalign
Portland, OR
Invisalign is inarguably one of the best orthodontic treatment options. Many people prefer Invisalign in the Invisalign vs braces debate, thanks to Invisalign’s transparency. It’s also a relatively quick and comfortable way to straighten misaligned teeth and improve your bite. At Senestraro Family Orthodontics, orthodontists, Dr. Seth Senestraro and Dr. Seth, offer effective clear aligner treatments. We also emphasize dental hygiene and taking care of your Invisalign.
Invisalign and Dental Hygiene
You should learn how to clean your Invisalign aligners, as it is crucial for your oral health. In fact, cleaning Invisalign and dental hygiene go hand in hand. Keeping your aligners clean keeps them invisible and enables you to enjoy their subtlety. It also helps keep bad breath at bay.
If you don’t clean your clear aligners, food particles might remain stuck in the trays, causing bacteria to spread in your mouth and compromising your dental hygiene. It might lead to tooth decay, causing cavities or even gingivitis. In short, neglecting to clean your Invisalign and not focusing on dental hygiene might lead to painful dental problems.
Keep Your Invisalign Aligners Clean
Whether you have Invisalign for teens or the one for adults, you need to keep it clean. Invisalign for teens develops a series of blue indicator dots that tells you if your teen has not worn their aligner for a long time. You might have trouble seeing these dots if the Invisalign trays are not clean. So, here’s how you can keep your clear aligners clean:
Remove the Aligners When You Eat
You must remove your Invisalign every time you eat. Otherwise, food and drink particles might damage and stain the aligners. They might get stuck in the aligner trays and damage your teeth and gums by creating plaque that might turn into tartar.
Clean the Aligners When You Remove Them
Clean the aligner trays every time you remove them. Rinse and soak them in water and use a clear, non-abrasive soap to keep bacteria at bay and prevent your aligners from developing a tint. You can also use Invisalign cleaning crystals to prevent foul-smelling bacteria from sticking to your clear aligners. Do not use hot water to clean your Invisalign, as the thermoplastic material can bend.
Do Not Use Abrasive Materials for Cleaning
Make sure you don’t use denture cleaners or mouthwash to scrub your aligners, as these materials are a bit abrasive. They may make your Invisalign aligners appear dull and opaque as compared to invisible. It will make them more evident when you wear them.
Always Store the Aligners in Their Case
Maintain a habit of always keeping your aligners in their case when you are not wearing them. The moment you take the aligners out to brush your teeth or have a meal, put them in their case. Otherwise, you risk losing them, scratching them, or even throwing them away. Putting clean aligners in the case will also protect them from bacteria.
Maintain Your Dental Hygiene
Food particles get stuck between teeth, and the only effective way to get them out and prevent plaque from building up is to brush and floss regularly. You must brush your teeth and floss at least twice daily or after every meal. This way, you can keep your mouth clean and ensure your aligners remain clean and clear.
Get Your Invisalign Treatment Today
If you are thinking of getting Invisalign to align your teeth or fix your bite, call us at (503) 228-1945. Senestraro Family Orthodontics will offer you a comprehensive consultation and a follow-up treatment plan that suits your needs. |
