How Do I Take Care of My Invisalign Aligners?

When you begin an Invisalign treatment plan, you commit to working with your orthodontist to correct your smile. While this means committing to proper oral hygiene during treatment, it also means taking care of the appliances. If you’re wondering, “How Do I Take Care of My Invisalign Aligners?” we have the answers.

Understanding Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign uses SmartTrack material to construct the alignment trays that adjust your teeth into new positions. While very durable, it does need proper care to keep its shape and work properly. SmartTrack material makes your Invisalign alignment trays more comfortable. They are easy to insert and remove because of the technology of their construction.

The tray aligners work by applying gentle, constant force to shift teeth into correct alignment positions. The tray design allows for better control of tooth movement and greater predictability of movement. With SmartTrack, comfort is better because the trays fit snugly around your teeth. As the technology of Invisalign continues to improve, treatment times are becoming shorter than with traditional braces in many cases.

How Do I Take Care of My Invisalign Aligners?

Keeping your aligners clean during treatment is an important part of the process. Throughout the day, as you remove your aligners to eat and drink, you should get into the habit of rinsing them. This simple process removes saliva from your trays which may contain bacteria.

You should brush your trays daily with a toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Making this part of your nightly routine is an excellent way to keep your aligners clean. You should also brush and floss before replacing your aligners after a meal. Placing the alignment trays on your teeth without proper oral hygiene may trap food particles which can promote tooth decay.

At least once per week, you should soak your aligners using a mild, non-colored denture or retainer cleaner, or Invisalign cleaning crystals. To soak your aligners, begin by rinsing them under water then place them into a container with slightly warm water. Add the cleaning tablet or crystals and soak for at least 15 minutes. After soaking, rinse your aligners and reinsert them.

Extra tips for maintaining your aligners:

Always use the storage case when not wearing your aligners.
Never rinse or soak in hot water. To avoid damaging your aligners, water should be only slightly warm.
Rinse and keep your aligners clean.
Don’t eat or drink while wearing your aligners.

Maintaining your aligners properly will keep them in great shape and aid in your treatment.

Still have Questions? Call Holt for Answers

If you still have questions about the proper care of your Invisalign tray aligners, please contact our staff at Holt Orthodontics. Our doctors and staff are always ready to answer your questions or ease your concerns. For quick answers, you can use the chat feature on our website. You may also call any of our three office locations:

Roseville: (916) 786-9282

Sacramento: (916) 481-6424

Folsom: (916) 983-5321

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