Posted on August 12, 2020
We have a good news/bad news situation here. The bad news is yes, your Invisalign trays can become stained and need to be cleaned. The good news is that it is easy to keep them clean by maintaining good oral habits and following the tips below. Good oral hygiene is important for everyone, but especially for orthodontic patients.
So sit back, relax, and keep reading to learn more about Invisalign and how to keep your trays clear.
Clear aligners? That’s right. Invisalign trays are made of clear, BPA free plastic. When you receive your trays, they will be crystal clear so the average person will not even notice you are wearing or using orthodontics. This is why it is so important to keep the trays clean.
Be patient, we’re getting there. Invisalign is a popular brand of aligner trays. It has become an industry standard name. Aligner trays are created using impressions of your teeth so the treatment is completely customized. (That’s right, this is all about you.)
A series of trays are used. One set is worn for a couple of weeks before being discarded and a new set is used. Invisalign trays rely on gentle pressure to shift the teeth into proper alignment. Within each set of trays, the pressure is different to promote constant movement of the teeth.
Invisalign trays can be removed to eat, drink, and care for the teeth. However, for the optimal results you know you want, your aligner trays should be worn for 20-22 hours per day.
Think about it. No metal brackets. No tightening of wires. No cutting your mouth on sharp wires. No avoiding your favorite foods because they’ll stick to your braces. The list of Invisalign benefits could go on and on.
Plus, as we said, the trays are clear! Woohoo! No drawing obvious attention to your mouth or your orthodontic work. (Of course, until the end when you want to show off your beautiful, straight pearly whites.)
Keep reading and we will tell you. But first, you need to understand how the trays can become stained and how to avoid that unfortunate situation.
Any orthodontic treatment comes with additional materials in the mouth, right? With the additional materials, there are more places for bacteria to linger. Your mouth looks pretty inviting and can be a good host to bacteria. Instead, they choose to multiply. Gross, we know! The additional bacteria lead to bad breath (ew…) and can cause discoloration of your aligner trays (that’s unfortunate).
With Invisalign, you can still live and enjoy your life while discreetly straightening your smile. So, how can you keep your trays clean and your breath fresh? Read on for a few breath-freshening tips…
DO…brush and floss your teeth regularly.
DON’T…leave your trays in while you are eating. Particles from the foods and drinks you consume will be absorbed by the trays. Also, the trays are not made to withstand the pressures of chewing. Eating with the trays in will damage and stain them. Water is the only beverage you can consume while wearing your trays.
DO…brush or rinse your teeth before inserting the trays into your mouth. This removes any lingering food particles or bacteria that could get on your aligner trays.
DON’T…clean your Invisalign trays with toothpaste. Toothpaste can be abrasive and may cause tiny scratches in the trays. If bacteria and food particles accumulate in the damaged trays, they are harder to remove and may compromise the integrity of the aligner trays.
DO…rinse your trays each time you remove them. This keeps plaque and saliva from building up on the trays. You may also use a small amount of soap, water, and a toothbrush to gently remove any stuck-on particles.
DON’T…leave your trays sitting out. Store your trays properly in their case when you are not wearing them. Sitting out in the air exposes the trays to additional bacteria. They are also more likely to become damaged while sitting out.
DO…soak your trays once per day. You may use denture cleaner or Invisalign crystals. This keeps your trays looking, and smelling, their best.
At Lineberger Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign treatment in Huntersville, Charlotte, and Mooresville. We are top Invisalign providers and consistently rank as top providers in all of North and South Carolina.
What’s that? This fancy title means we are in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the world. Pretty cool, right? In this case, titles matter. We know the ins and outs of every treatment we offer and we offer Invisalign to nearly every patient who walks in the door. It is an effective treatment for most orthodontic needs and is appropriate for teenagers and adults.
The Smile Squad at Lineberger Orthodontics helps kids, teens, and adults achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. Our practice offers orthodontic treatments including braces and Invisalign.
Schedule an appointment with one of our dapper docs at Lineberger Orthodontics in Charlotte, Huntersville, and Mooresville.