How To Clean Invisalign Retainers

Here at your local Loughborough orthodontists, we love to offer tips, tricks, tools and techniques to enhance the health and happiness of your smile with Invisalign retainers. We often post useful how-tos on a range of dental topics, so don’t forget to check our blog in the coming weeks for more exciting ideas!

Today, we’re focusing on Invisalign clear braces, the popular clear brace teeth straightening treatment that is favoured by adults and teens alike. It’s so well-loved among patients and orthodontists, that it’s helped treat millions of smiles all across the world – could yours be next?

Whether you’re still using your aligners or have moved on to the retainers stage, read on for a handy how-to on how to clean your Invisalign braces in Loughborough.

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Step 1: Get into the routine

Just as you brush and floss morning and night, you’ll also need to clean your aligners or retainers. This is because bacteria and plaque can still build up while you sleep.

Step 2: Rinse and repeat!

Whenever you remove your Invisalign aligners, ensure you give them a rinse under the cold tap. If you’re removing them for eating or drinking, then brush and floss before putting them back in. Bear in mind that hot water could cause the trays to warp (bend).

Step 3: Soak it up

Give your trays a daily soak in denture cleaner or Invisalign’s cleaning crystals. Mouthwash, hot water, toothpaste and other cleaning chemicals could damage the trays, so avoid these! You can, however, use a toothbrush to gently dislodge any food particles.

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Top tips

Finally, we wanted to share some top tips to help you get the most out of your Invisalign clear braces and retainers.

Deep cleaning Invisalign teeth straightening tips

1) Always use the case!

Invisalign clear braces and retainers can be stored in a handy case when they’re not being worn – which not only guards against germs in the air but also means they can be protected from breakages.

2) Never eat while wearing them

Eating with your Invisalign clear braces or retainers could cause them to become cracked, discoloured, or even broken – and that could cause injuries to your mouth, as well as problems with your teeth straightening treatment! In addition, eating with them could cause plaque and bacteria to build upon their surface, making them trickier to keep clean and exposing your teeth to potential decay.

3) Wear them as directed

If you’re still in Invisalign aligners, you will need to wear them between 20 and 22 hours per day. With retainers, it depends on what your orthodontist recommends. Eventually, however, you should only need to wear them at night – but be warned that if you stop wearing them correctly, your teeth may slip out of position, undoing all your hard work!

Get started with Invisalign

If you think Invisalign braces in Loughborough could be the best treatment for you, then what are you waiting for? Book today in Loughborough via our contact page and we’ll welcome you to our orthodontists very soon!