After investing your valuable time and money on Invisalign, the last thing you want is to fall off-track with your original treatment plan, adding weeks or months onto the backend. To prevent that from happening, your orthodontist will provide you with detailed instructions when your trays first arrive, including how to clean them properly. Of course, that can be a lot of information to retain at once, which is why we’re sharing a few important do’s and don’ts with Invisalign right here!
DO Clean Your Trays After Each Meal
From preventing discoloration to avoiding cavities, keeping your trays clean is essential for several reasons. Don’t worry – you don’t need any special tools or complex oral hygiene routines either. All you need to do is rinse your aligners with clean water, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub each surface, and rinse your aligners again – it’s that simple!
DON’T Use Hot Water to Rinse Your Aligners
Whether you’re rinsing your aligners off before putting them in their storage case or before giving them a deeper clean with your toothbrush, you need to always check the temperature of the water. If it’s too hot, then your trays can warp, leaving them virtually useless. To prevent that from happening, stick to cool and lukewarm water instead!
DO Wear Your Aligners for 20+ Hours a Day
While traditional braces are bonded directly to your teeth, your clear aligners can be removed. This means that you need to be proactive about wearing them for at least 20 hours a day. If you don’t, then there’s a good chance that your teeth won’t track properly, which sometimes requires an entirely new treatment plan to be made.
DON’T Wrap Your Trays in a Napkin
When you do take out your aligners, don’t just place them anywhere. After all, leaving them out on the table can result in them becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, and wrapping them in a napkin can lead to them accidentally being thrown away. Neither is ideal, which is why you should store them in their designated case instead.
DO Switch Your Aligners on the Right Days
While some patients switch their aligners every 7 days, others make the switch every 10 or 14 days. Whatever the case is for you, make a note on your phone, calendar, or bathroom mirror so you don’t forget! Remember, moving onto the next set of aligners too early or too late can negatively impact your treatment plan, which you want to avoid.
DON’T Skip Your Check-In Appointments
Some patients think that their check-in visits with their orthodontist aren’t important once they have their aligners. That’s not the case. It’s during these appointments that they can monitor the movement of your teeth and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Plus, this is a great time to ask any questions you have!
About the Doctor
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, Dr. William “Vaughn” Holland completed a five-year dual specialty program in Prosthodontics and Orthodontics. Thanks to his unwavering commitment to his studies and training, he now has a Specialty Certificate in Prosthodontics as well as a Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics! If you have any questions for Dr. Holland about life with Invisalign, don’t hesitate to visit his website or call (904) 388-4600.