The growing need for straighter teeth and a good-looking smile is why more people are turning to treatments such as Invisalign®. After getting the aligner trays, it is important to clean them properly. In this article, you will learn about the importance of cleaning Invisalign trays and a few care tips.
Just as brushing the teeth every night is important, knowing how to clean Invisalign trays is vital for oral health. First, one of the reasons that people prefer Invisalign over braces is the invisibility or discreetness. However, they need to be cleaned regularly to maintain the invisibility; otherwise, stains will form over the trays and they will start to yellow.
Good oral hygiene practices not only keep the aligners trays invisible but also help prevent bad breath. Food particles can get trapped in the Invisalign trays. This can encourage the spread of bacteria, which in turn, causes bad breath. Regular cleaning can help keep the mouth smelling good.
Cleaning the trays helps prevent tooth decay. Decay develops when food particles accumulate between the teeth and on the aligners. Bacteria feast on the food debris, causing plaque. Plaque, in turn, causes cavities or tooth decay and gum disease. These oral issues are uncomfortable and costly to treat and can extend treatment duration.
Food particles can get trapped between the teeth. Using the trays without brushing the teeth can prevent saliva from cleaning the mouth naturally. Keeping the teeth clean through brushing and flossing keeps the Invisalign trays clean as well.
Every time the tray comes off the teeth, they will need to be cleaned properly. Soaking and rinsing the tray with ordinary water will not be enough to prevent bacteria accumulation. Instead, a clear, scentless soap that will not tint the aligner is advisable. That way, one can wear the trays without getting a weird taste. Denture cleaners and Invisalign cleaning crystals can also be used.
When cleaning the trays, hot water should never be used for disinfection. The aligners are created with thermoplastic materials that will cause them to deform in hot water. Cold water, on the other hand, can cause the trays to contract. Room-temperature water is preferable. Toothpaste should never be used because it can cause staining.
The Invisalign aligners need to be worn for at least 22 hours per day. The remaining two hours are meant for soaking. The trays should soak in warm water containing cleaning crystals for about 20 minutes. Patients can brush the trays afterward and dry them properly to prevent moisture from causing stains. The cleaning should be done daily to keep the trays free of dirt and stains.
If you have recently started your Invisalign journey, you need to be proactive about oral hygiene and cleaning. If you need additional information, be sure to ask the general dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.culvercitydental.com or call Culver City Dental at (310) 272-5405 for an appointment in our Culver City office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign in Culver City, CA.
Invisalign® is often the preferred choice for patients looking to straighten their smiles without the hassle of getting metal braces. If you have been avoiding teeth straightening because you are worried about people noticing metal brackets and wires on your teeth, Invisalign could be the perfect choice for you. Continue reading to see how you…
Invisalign® might be what you need if you are tired of always feeling self-conscious about your misaligned teeth but do not want to deal with metal braces. You are not alone; many people put off getting teeth straightening treatments to avoid the stares wearing braces can bring.Fortunately, Invisalign was invented a couple of decades ago…
If you are dealing with teeth insecurities, Invisalign® can help you with that. Invisalign is a newly developed method of orthodontic treatment. It is an aligner system that steps away from traditional dental braces that use semi-permanent metal brackets and wires. Invisalign offers a more comfortable, convenient, and effective way to straighten your teeth.Invisalign only…
For patients in need of orthodontic care for a variety of issues, such as tooth gaps, crooked teeth or misaligned bites, both Invisalign® and traditional braces are potential treatment options. While many people seek a straight answer to which one of these alternatives is ideal, there are several factors that determine which route is better…
Many dentists recommend implants to patients who want natural-looking replacement teeth. This review discusses why many dentists consider implant dentistry to be a great way to replace missing teeth.The following are some important to know about implant dentistry for teeth replacement, including what implant dentistry actually is, the advantages of treatment over alternative solutions, and…
People often have wisdom teeth extraction performed when these teeth come in behind the second molars of the upper and lower jaw. Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-25 and may crowd the other teeth, causing pain and possibly changing the bite of the teeth. Those who undergo an extraction often have questions about…