Invisalign is a low-maintenance orthodontic treatment. Patients don’t have brackets and wires adhered to their teeth that demand singular attention night and day. What patients do have are easily removable trays for when you’re ready to eat or brush. When aligners do come out for cleaning, follow these tips to keep each Invisalign tray clean for as long as you need to wear them.
1. Stick to a Schedule
Hopefully you had a good brushing and flossing routine before you invested in Invisalign. Keep that same schedule going once the trays are on your teeth so you can take care of scrubbing your enamel and removing food particles and bacteria stuck between your teeth while you soak and cleanse your Invisalign aligners. Do this at least twice a day, every day, to keep your mouth and trays clear.
2. Choose the Simplest Tools
You don’t need anything fancy to keep your teeth and Invisalign trays clean. Clear, unscented soap and a gentle scrubbing with a soft-bristled toothbrush gets the job done. Alternatively, you can soak your trays in specially formulated Invisalign crystals before you brush them, rinse everything, and put the aligners back in your mouth.
3. Brush Even More Than Usual
If you do have a good brushing and flossing routine, expand on it. The best practice is to tend to your teeth and aligners every time you take them out of your mouth. That might mean brushing five times a day but imagine how clean and fresh your teeth will be and how much better Invisalign will work as a result.
4. Remind Yourself of the Consequences
The characteristic people love most about Invisalign are the clear trays. If you don’t keep them clean, there will be consequences like stains and odors that build up and leave you with noticeable, smelly aligners. Even though each set of trays is worn for only a few weeks at a time, they can’t stay clear and flawless if you don’t take good care of them. This means not eating with Invisalign in your mouth so the trays don’t get damaged, broken, or stained.
5. Plan Your Day
It is necessary for Invisalign wearers to plan if their normal routine is going to change. If you know you’ll be out of the house or traveling, be sure to have your teeth cleaning tools at the ready so you can tend to your teeth and trays immediately after meals or snacks.
6. See Your Dentist Regularly
You will have dental visits every six to eight weeks to collect more Invisalign trays for the next phase of your treatment and to get a checkup. But it’s also integral to honor your professional teeth cleaning appointments every six months. Your dental hygienist will tend to your teeth so your mouth is a clean, clear slate for Invisalign.
Get Invisalign in Red Bank
It isn’t difficult to keep Invisalign trays clean. Follow the recommendations of your Red Bank dentist and ask for advice if you have unique concerns that interrupt your ability to tend to your cosmetic dentistry treatment. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell and her team at Red Bank Dentistry to learn more.
