Millions of people in the U.S. seeking discreet treatment for misaligned teeth or malocclusion (overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite) have turned to Invisalign. Invisalign trays should be worn at least 20 hours per day for optimal results. Once you’ve completed your treatment with the alignment trays, you’ll initially need to wear a retainer most hours of the day to prevent your teeth from shifting into old positions. So how do you keep your Invisalign trays or retainer clean, clear, and nearly invisible? Read on for tips for cleaning Invisalign retainers and trays.
Brush Trays When You Brush Your Teeth
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes each time. To keep your Invisalign trays and retainers clean and clear, you should brush them every time you brush your teeth. If you brush your teeth more than twice a day, feel free to brush your Invisalign trays and retainer every time.
Brush Teeth and Trays After Eating
Although you do not have to brush more than twice a day, if you can brush after each meal, you should. Choose a soft-bristled brush to prevent damaging your tooth enamel or scratching your Invisalign trays or retainer.
Rinse Trays Frequently
If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, plan to rinse your Invisalign trays or retainer with water. While water alone won’t remove all the bacteria that can build up, it can remove some. It can also be refreshing to remove your trays or retainer from time to time and run them under cool water, when you can’t brush.
Soak Your Trays and Retainer
A special Invisalign cleaning solution such as cleaning crystals may be included with your series of alignment trays. While you don’t need to use it daily, soaking your trays occasionally is a good idea. Invisalign offers other products for cleaning trays and retainers as well. These include a cleaning foam, sterilizing solution, or cleaning spray.
Taking Care of Invisalign Trays and Retainers: Dos and Don’ts
Here is a list of helpful dos and don’ts when it comes to caring for your Invisalign trays and retainer include:
Do:
Do Not:
Is Invisalign Right for You or Your Teen?
If your teeth are crooked, slanted, gapped, or crowded, you may be an excellent candidate for Invisalign. A moderate overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite can also often be corrected with Invisalign. If you’re ready to fix an imperfect smile, your dentist can determine if Invisalign is right for you or your teen.
Invisalign for Teens and Adults in Monmouth County
Champagne Smiles provides Invisalign treatment to teens and adults in Monmouth County. Named a “Best of the Best” Dentist in Monmouth County, one of America’s Top Dentists, and a Top New Jersey dental practice, our team has years of experience treating patients with Invisalign. If you’re ready to start your journey to better oral health with Dr. Richard Champagne and a truly collaborative and compassionate dental team, contact Champagne Smiles in Morganville, NJ today to schedule your first appointment.
