Straight Teeth in Less Time
Helpful Tips For Cleaning Your Invisalign Clear Aligner
Lois Murray
One thing that many people dread when it comes to braces is keeping their teeth and braces clean. Standard metal braces can make proper dental hygiene difficult, but this isn't as much of a problem with Invisalign. This is especially true if you follow these tips for cleaning your clear aligner.
Remove It When Cleaning
One of the best things about Invisalign -- when compared to other orthodontic treatments -- is the fact that you can remove your clear aligner for cleaning. This means that you can brush, floss and rinse your teeth with ease, which just isn't as simple when you wear regular braces. Along with being able to give your teeth a better scrub, you can also take the time to clean your clear aligner when you remove it. Taking out your clear aligner rather than brushing while wearing it is the best choice for good dental hygiene. Just don't get in the habit of leaving your aligner out any longer than necessary for cleaning purposes -- which some people tend to do -- or your progress could stall or even regress.
Use Cleaning Crystals
If you talk to your dental care professional or look online, you can purchase cleaning crystals directly from the company that makes your clear aligners. These are designed to be mixed with water so that your clear aligner can be soaked, which can allow you to get rid of plaque, bacteria and other debris and to bring your clear aligner to a sparkling shine. It's suggested to use manufacturer-specific products, since other products could cause your aligner to break down or become discolored. This should become a part of your morning or evening routine for best results.
Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste
Look for toothpaste that isn't too abrasive; for example, you will want to avoid toothpaste that has baking soda as an ingredient. Since you'll probably be cleaning your aligner with your toothpaste and toothbrush -- as many dental professionals recommend, along with using your cleaning crystals -- you should know that abrasive toothpastes can actually affect the look of your clear aligner, which can make it more obvious. Since one of the main things that you probably love about Invisalign over traditional braces is the fact that they aren't too obvious, this is an important point. Also, the abrasive nature of certain toothpastes can actually create small indentions in your clear aligner, which can make it easier for bacteria to get trapped in your aligner.
Keeping your clear aligner clean is easier than you might think. If you follow these simple tips and talk to your dental care professionals like Stone & Johnson Dental Group about any questions that you might have in regards to the cleaning and care of your aligner, you should not have any problems.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.