While wearing your aligners, it's easy to think that as nothing else will touch your teeth, there is no need to worry about keeping them clean. But hygiene is a vital part of your Invisalign treatment, ensuring that you achieve your dream smile without compromising the health of your teeth. Let us show you our top tips while wearing Invisalign.
Below, we have outlined our top five hygiene tips while using Invisalign to ensure that your teeth remain healthy and you don't need to pay for any additional dental work.
Although you will be wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, they must be removed when you eat and drink anything other than water. To ensure your teeth remain clean and healthy, you will need to brush and floss them before you put your aligners in your mouth. This needs to be done every time that you take your aligners out, so it's worth investing in a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you so that you can clean your teeth after a meal out.
There are no restrictions on what you can eat and drink during your Invisalign treatment, but it is still best to limit certain foods and drinks to prevent stains, especially if your teeth have whitened before your treatment.
The following foods and drinks can stain your teeth, and you should consider reducing how often you consume them:
Acidic fruits like grapefruit
Coffee
Juice
Soy sauce
Soda
Tea
Wine
You also need to brush your aligners and your teeth. It is important to ensure they are cleaned correctly to prevent any bacteria from growing in the aligners. You must clean your aligners gently, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and avoid using any toothpaste on them. Abrasive toothpastes like whitening toothpastes or those with baking soda can scratch and damage the aligners and should be avoided.
It can also be worth opting for Invisalign cleaning kits, which provide a deep clean for your aligners after each day. These kits will ensure that your aligners are clean for you to wear the next day and help to ensure there is no dirt in them. You can also use a denture cleaning tablet in a glass of water to clean them.
You must also store your aligners correctly in their case when you are not wearing them. Leaving your aligners on a table or sink can allow them to collect bacteria and germs, which will end up in your mouth. You will be given a case with your aligners, and it is vital that you put them in the case after every use.
When your Invisalign treatment comes to an end, there is essential aftercare that you must follow to keep your smile hygienic and ensure the best results. The aftercare treatment is broken down into two categories, which we have detailed below:
Immediately after your treatment, you will still need to wear your retainer at night to ensure the best results from your treatment. You will need to follow the same hygiene tips we outlined earlier to keep your retainer clean.
You will also need to attend regular dental checkups every six months. These should involve regular cleanings to remove any plaque build-up and provide an opportunity for your retainers to be checked and any modifications made.
You should also avoid any foods and drinks that could stain your aligners or teeth, including coffee, soda, and soy sauce.
In the long term, you will need to regularly clean your aligners, preventing a build-up of plaque and bacteria. A soft-bristled toothbrush and lukewarm water are the best ways to clean them with a gentle soap. You must be mindful when choosing your soap to ensure there are no harsh chemicals.
You will also need to rinse your aligners after every use to remove bacteria or food particles that are stuck in them. Brushing and flossing daily is also needed to maintain good oral hygiene.
To keep your smile in perfect condition and ensure good oral hygiene, there are a few habits and foods you should avoid after your Invisalign treatment. We recommend following a healthy diet, where you avoid acidic and overly sugary foods that could damage your teeth.
You will also want to avoid very hard and crunchy foods that could harm your teeth. Smoking or using tobacco effects will also stain your fixed retainer and have a negative impact on your oral health. It is best to avoid these where possible, such as seeking medical help if you are struggling to quit. We recommend sticking to good oral habits to ensure that your new smile remains healthy.
If you don't follow the hygiene tips that we have outlined for you, you could see a build-up of bacteria on your front teeth, causing tooth decay and other oral health problems. You must make sure that you are regularly brushing your teeth and cleaning your aligners.
Not following an Invisalign aftercare routine can also cause your teeth to move back to their original position, undoing the progress you have made and causing you to need to restart your treatment.
Sometimes, issues will arise with your Invisalign, like last trays or discoloured aligners. To ensure that you don't experience any delays in your treatment or that your hygiene suffers, we have outlined how to address these common issues below.
It is worth noting that if you have concerns, it is best to book an appointment with us. We can carry out an oral exam, check your aligners, and provide accurate advice for your situation.
Discoloured aligners are a common issue and are usually caused by drinks or foods you have consumed after removing your aligners. It is best that you clean the aligners to reduce the discolouration, as this can impact the colour of your teeth. A denture cleaner or retainer cleaner is best and should be used regularly.
Speak to your dentist immediately if you lose your aligner tray. Replacement aligner trays can be provided to reduce any disruption to your treatment. It is important that you get a replacement tray instead of using one designed for later in your treatment. Wearing your Invisalign aligners in the wrong order can cause issues with your treatment.
Some clients can experience allergies to the materials used in their aligners. This is rare, but it's worth mentioning so you know what to do if it happens to you. If you spot any unusual reactions when wearing the aligners, speak to a dentist immediately. We can recommend alternative treatments if needed and help to treat your symptoms.
While Invisalign is designed to be painless, it can feel sore or irritate your mouth. The aligners help to move your teeth into their new positions, but this can feel uncomfortable. It can also take time to get used to the sensation of aligners in your mouth, with some clients finding them irritating. The feelings of soreness and irritation should pass in a week or so, but if the discomfort becomes intolerable, speak to a dentist so they can offer guidance.
Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean and hygienic does not need to be a drawn-out task, but with regular maintenance, you can ensure a healthy new smile. At Gorgeous Smiles, we believe everyone deserves their dream smile, and we offer guidance throughout your Invisalign treatment in Melbourne to ensure you get a healthy smile you can love. Book your appointment today and see what new smile awaits you.
Here are some articles on common issues we help correct with the Invisalign treatment we give toInvisalign
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