Congratulations on starting Invisalign orthodontic treatment in East Kelowna! You have already started the process to enhance your smile. You may understand why Invisalign has grown in popularity as an alternative to traditional orthodontics, but are you aware of how it works? Maintaining the Invisalign aligners on the teeth for at least 22 hours every day is a very important requirement. Still, it is also essential to keep both your teeth and aligners clean. Get an Invisalign in East Kelowna, BC, if you want to straighten your teeth.
Importance of cleaning your Invisalign aligners
Although everyone has bad breath, a poorly maintained aligner is more prone to bacterial and germ retention, which can result in a foul smell. Not good! It comes down to the fact that, like teeth, Invisalign aligners must be cleaned daily to ensure proper care. Here are some at-home and store-bought ways to keep your trays clean and shining, along with a suggested daily routine.
What does an average day in the life of invisible aligner maintenance look like? Relax if you have no idea; we made a regimen especially for you!
When you wake up, clean your teeth and your Invisalign trays.
The first thing you should do every morning is take out your aligners, clean your teeth, and then clean the trays before placing those back in your mouth because you will be sleeping with them on. This step is especially essential because a lot of bacteria can accumulate while you sleep. You should do it again before going to bed.
Every time you take your aligners out of your mouth, rinse them.
Never keep trays out in the open after taking out your invisible aligners; rather, rinse them with cold water each time to remove any dried saliva. Maintaining proper dental hygiene relies heavily on having your case close at hand. Rinsing with hot water might cause the trays to warp or bend, which can be uncomfortable.
Soak your trays every day.
Soaking the trays in Invisalign cleaning salts or a denture cleaner every day is the best way to ensure a clean pair of aligners. To avoid harming your trays, never soak them in hot water or mouthwash. After soaking, brush the trays with a spare toothbrush to remove any extra food particles or plaque.
Tips on Maintaining the Quality of Your Trays
While sticking to the daily schedule is essential, we also want to provide you with some tips on how to take the most effective care of your aligners. Dentists provide the following advice:
Never Keep Your Invisible Aligners Out in The Open
When you are not using your aligners, leaving them out in the open may result in bacterial accumulation, which can cause illnesses along with unpleasant odors!
Remove your aligners from your mouth before consuming any food or liquids.
Be careful to take out your trays before eating any food or liquids that do not contain water. This keeps bacteria from growing on them and keeps food particles from getting caught in your teeth, which can lead to dental issues in the future.
Remember to pack the next set of aligners for your trip.
If you travel and fail to bring your next set of aligners, it is a simple way to get behind on your treatment. It certainly can set you behind, but it occurs to people all the time. Having your next set transported to the place where you will be staying is one approach to get around this.
Avoid Cleaning Invisalign Aligners with Toothpaste
Cleaning aligners using toothpaste is a common mistake committed by many first-time Invisalign patients, but it is strictly prohibited! It may cause trays to become broken or discolored, or it may give them a dull shine that makes them stand out more in your mouth.