How to Clean Invisalign A Detailed Guide
One of the most important things to remember about wearing Invisalign aligners is that they need to be cleaned. Wearing Invisalign 20+ hours a day, as recommended, is very important for your orthodontic treatment to succeed. But it will often lead to plaque, buildup, and staining as they get dirty and occasional food particles inside your Invisalign trays. Although the Invisalign aligners are meant to be changed every few weeks, they still require cleaning. You can easily keep your Invisalign clean using many cleaning methods as part of your oral hygiene routine. You sure don’t want to wear a very smelly or dirty set of aligners daily.
Cleaning vs. rinsing Invisalign aligners
Remember, there’s a difference between cleaning and rinsing when it comes to Invisalign. Rinsing your aligners can only make them appear slightly cleaner. Still, it does not remove the unseen bacteria that can build up or cause plaque. For nightly cleaning, you can follow these steps that are listed on the Invisalign aligners website:
- Every night, rinse your Invisalign aligners with water.
- Brush your Invisalign aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush (not the one you use to brush your teeth daily). Use gentle, clear liquid soap to remove debris or food particles accumulated in them.
- Rinse thoroughly with water after brushing.
- Store Invisalign aligners in a protective case whenever they are not in use.
What Should You Use to Clean Your Invisalign Aligners?
There are many easy and effective ways to clean your Invisalign trays. Here are some of the simple and most effective ones:
Clear Hand Soap (Best for Daily Cleaning)
Using a clear, mild-scented hand soap and a soft manual toothbrush is a simple, easy way to clean your Invisalign aligners. You regularly brush your teeth daily, so brush your aligners too! Using toothpaste and your own toothbrush (which may be electrical) is tempting. But toothpaste will scratch your Invisalign aligners, and electric toothbrushes do not fit inside the aligners very well. Avoid coloured or strong-scented soaps, as they might stain your aligners.
Hydrogen Peroxide (Best to Remove Stains)
You may notice your Invisalign tray becomes yellow or brown after some time. Use hydrogen peroxide to get your Invisalign aligners clean. It is
an easy and cost-effective way. To make a cleaning solution, equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and lukewarm water are taken. Soak your Invisalign aligners for 20 minutes, then rinse and put them back in. It may take many tries to get all the stains off completely. You may also try white vinegar (but not with the peroxide) to remove any hard buildup to which the stain might be attached.
White Vinegar (Best to Remove Hard Buildup)
White vinegar is a great way of removing hard buildup from your Invisalign aligners. To make a dilute solution, take one part of distilled white vinegar in three parts of water. Soak your Invisalign aligners for 15-20 minutes. Rinse them well with water and use a soft manual toothbrush to remove any plaque loosened up by the vinegar. Remember that leaving your Invisalign aligners in vinegar will make them smell like vinegar even after rinsing. However, soaking your aligners in plain water for a few minutes will help. Still, you may feel a faint smell for a little while.
Alternative: Invisalign-brand Cleaners
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Invisalign sells a “Steraligner” product (Invisalign crystals) with a tray. Invisalign crystals are a popular, easy-to-use daily cleaning product. These cleaning crystals contain cleansing agents, including sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium dichloro-isocyanurate, and sodium lauryl sulfate. You dissolve it in the lukewarm (not hot!) water and soak the Invisalign aligners for 15 minutes or more. Rinse the Invisalign aligners and brush with warm water. This will clean and disinfect your Invisalign aligners. Cleaning crystals is easy and simple, but they are more expensive than any of the alternatives ($40 for a box of 50 packets or about $24 a month if you use it once a day every day).
Invisalign Cleaning Spray and Foam
The foam and spray are ready-to-use hydrogen peroxide and SLS (detergent) solutions. It is very easy to use but much more expensive than the alternatives. A really tiny 2 OUNCES bottle just comes for $22.99!
How Can I Clean My Invisalign Without Damaging It?
Cleaning Invisalign aligners without damage is easy as long as you keep these things in your mind:
DO NOT Use Hot Water
Hot water will change the shape of your Invisalign aligners. They might not fit properly anymore after washing. So, always use cold water or barely warm water.
DO NOT Use Toothpaste
Most toothpastes have an abrasive ingredient (silica) that helps remove tooth stains. This chemical creates fine scratches on Invisalign aligners, making them more easily stained. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with clear liquid hand soap to clean your Invisalign aligners properly.
DO NOT Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is very abrasive and will cause scratches on your Invisalign trays. Since most buildup is due to calcium deposits, white vinegar is used to do this job much better.
How Often Should You Clean Your Invisalign Aligners?
You should clean your Invisalign aligners every day, at least once a day. Usually, the best time is when you brush your teeth and do your oral hygiene routine. Decide if cleaning them when brushing your teeth in the morning or at night is more convenient. You can also clean your Invisalign tray when it appears visibly dirty, such as if you accidentally drank something that was not clear while wearing it or put it on just after eating. Choose a cleaning method and try to stick with it. We recommend daily cleaning of Invisalign aligners with mild hand soap and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Only cleaning them with peroxide or vinegar if they have heavy stains or buildup (see the technique above).
How to Remove Stains From Invisalign Trays?
The best way to avoid stains on your Invisalign trays is to avoid eating with them and avoid beverages such as tea, coffee, and coloured sodas that will stain them. It is better to drink water while wearing your aligners to stay safe. Sugary drinks and stuck on food particles can cause plaque and lead to tooth decay. Once your normally clear trays have turned yellow or brown, most dentists recommend lightly brushing the inside trays with a soft toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap. If this cleaning routine doesn’t work, try soaking them in one part peroxide and one part barely warm water for 20 minutes.
Can I Use Toothpaste to Clean My Invisalign Tray?
No! Most toothpastes have an abrasive ingredient (silica or baking soda) that helps them remove stains from teeth but will scratch clear aligners.
Can I Use My Invisalign for Teeth Whitening?
Yes, you can, as long as the whitening product is intended to be used correctly. In Invisalign treatment, trays are used to cover part of your gum. So, the gums will also come in contact with whitening gels. This may cause irritation or burns on your gums. You can use a whitening gel that your orthodontist recommends as part of your Invisalign treatment plan.
The product is safe to use inside your Invisalign tray.
If you have concerns, wear the whitening gel in the trays for half the recommended time to start and see how your gums react. Most importantly, never wear your aligners with a teeth-whitening gel to sleep. This can cause severe burns to the gums. Contact your orthodontist immediately if you have any problems.
How Do You Clean Invisalign Retainers?
Invisalign retainers are very similar to aligners. Use the same cleaning routine that you already use to keep your Invisalign trays clean. It is an easy and safe way to clean them. You do not need a special retainer cleaner. Use a clear liquid mild hand soap and a soft bristle brush under cold or lukewarm water. See the guide above for more details.
Best Ways to Care For Your Invisalign Aligners
You can easily keep your Invisalign aligners clean and bacteria-free by following simple tips and steps.
- Always remember to take out your aligners when eating. The food particles will accumulate or get stuck on the aligners.
- Try to drink only water when you put on your Invisalign aligners. Avoid drinking coffee, tea, or sugary juice; they stain or damage them.
- Never use very hot water to clean the Invisalign trays. It will change their shape and not fit anymore.
- Store your Invisalign aligners in an airtight container whenever you are not using them. This will help to reduce the chance of getting dirty and protect from bacteria.
These practices can help keep your Invisalign aligners clean and your treatment most effective. Stick to them for the best results.