Meta Description: Do you own Invisalign? If yes, you should know the best way to clean your clear braces, which will help you stay healthy and avoid further oral problems. 

How to Clean Invisalign

How to clean Invisalign trays? If you are trying to improve your oral health and have a beautiful smile, using Invisalign can be a great solution. But to use these clear braces, you will need to know how to clean them properly. 

Can you use warm water? What is the right temperature? What about hydrogen peroxide? What is the perfect cleaning method? There are so many questions, and fortunately, we have an answer to all of them. If you are interested in the cleaning method mentioned here, you can always try it to see whether it fits your style and taste.

Should You Clean or Rinse?

While the first instinct would be to rinse the Invisalign aligners, that isn’t the best way to approach the problem since rinsing is not enough. It may look that the invisible braces are clear, but you won’t be able to see bacteria on them. 

Instead, you should clean the braces properly and ensure you spend enough time on them. Your hygiene should always be your number one priority, and you should ensure that wearing the aligners has no side effects. 

Of course, the best possible option is to go for Invisalign cleaning crystals. After all, these are designed to clean the braces, and they will do a great job with it. But even if you don’t own cleaning crystals, there are other viable options that can help you along the way. 

What Is the Procedure?

So, what is the procedure? How to clean Invisalign retainers? You will first need to take your clear aligners out and take a soft-bristled toothbrush. You don’t want to use the one with hard bristles since it can damage the surface of the material, allowing more bacteria to pile on it. 

Additionally, don’t use the same toothbrush you use for your teeth. Get another one you will use only for cleaning the clear braces. The next thing to do is get a clear liquid soap and start the procedure.

Remember to be gentle, and focus on the visible food particles first. Continue the procedure until you clean the braces completely. After that, all you need to do is rinse the aligners and store them in a protective case. 

Some people use cleaning accessories, toothpaste, and many other products. If you want a cleaner specifically for Invisalign braces, be sure to find one that won’t damage them. 

That means you shouldn’t just get a random cleaning solution. Instead, buy one designed for cleaning Invisalign aligners — either that or liquid soap or toothpaste. Hydrogen peroxide can also be a good option but ensure you use it at low concentration. Combine it with warm water, and soak aligners for a couple of minutes. 

After that, just brush it with a soft toothbrush, and rinse it in water. 

How Often Should You Do It?

The next thing on the list to know is how often to clean braces. The answer is every day. The simplest way to approach the situation is to clean aligners every night when you brush your teeth. This way, you won’t need to think about it, and you will do both things at the same time. 

Furthermore, you can also clean them whenever you notice that there is a need for them. For example, you might have drunk something that’s not clear while wearing aligners (such as wine), which can easily stain themþ

Nothing is stopping you from cleaning them after that, but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t continue cleaning aligners on a nightly basis. It is also recommended to rinse aligners at least every time you take them off. 

If it is something you do a couple of times per day, rinse them each time. And if there is a need to clean them properly as well, do it. The simplest approach is to clean aligners every time you eat or drink. 

What to Avoid?

The first thing to avoid is any type of cleaner that can damage the braces. While it might seem logical, using dental cleaners is a bad idea. The same thing applies to mouthwash, especially if these products contain alcohol. 

Moreover, you shouldn’t use scented soaps that contain dyes since they can easily stain the aligners, and it will only complicate things even further. We already mentioned that you should try to avoid coarse toothbrushes and anything else that can damage the surface of the braces. 

The same thing applies to mouthwash products. They will do an excellent job for your mouth, but they often contain dyes. And any type of dye can stain aligners and make them less discreet. 

When it comes to the temperature of the water, avoid using water that’s too hot. That is also why you should never try to boil or wash aligners in the dishwasher. Increased temperatures and hot water can destroy them and make them change their shape, so they don’t fit anymore. Always stick to lukewarm water and mild soap that doesn’t contain dyes. 

Finally, avoid alcohol, bleach, and other harsh chemicals that can destroy your clean aligners. Only soak your aligners in a denture cleaner designed for Invisalign or any other cleaning solution that won’t damage the braces. 

Why Is It Important?

Hygiene is one of the most important things for your oral health. And it should be your number one priority. By cleaning your aligners on a daily basis (or nightly), you will prolong the lifespan of the aligners, and ensure you don’t damage your health in the process. 

Furthermore, properly caring for the aligners will ensure that your teeth remain healthy. If you stop washing them, your teeth will be exposed to bacteria that will pile up on the aligners, and it can lead to cavities and tooth loss. 

So, to avoid all the problems, all you need to do is clean your aligners every day, and you won’t have to worry about anything.