Choosing to undergo Invisalign® treatment with a trusted, certified provider like Dr. Drew Addy is undoubtedly an exciting and super rewarding time in life – no matter if you’re a teen or an adult. With the help of BPA-free, clear aligners that are customized to fit your mouth comfortably, you can have a straighter, healthier smile in no time without having metal brackets and braces on your teeth.
But as you begin treatment, your Carlsbad dentist would like to share some helpful tips to ensure you keep your aligners clean as they transform your smile and your confidence. Ready? Let’s go!
Tip #1: Regularly Rinse Off Your Aligner
One of the benefits of choosing Invisalign® treatment is that you get to take the aligners out for a little bit of time each day, mainly when you’re eating a meal. When you do take your aligner out, your dentist in Carlsbad will tell you that it’s always an excellent idea to give it a thorough rinse in some water. This helps to keep the saliva or plaque that may be stuck to the aligner from drying and causing smelly bacteria to grow.
Tip #2: Soaking Your Aligner Never Hurts
Although you may not have time to do this every day, it’s always a good idea to give your aligner a good soaking every so often. Products are available to help boost your soaking power and offer some added sanitization, which is always good. It allows for a deep cleaning that can help keep your aligner free from debris and harmful bacteria. Invisalign® also offers its own line of options online to help keep your aligners in good shape throughout your treatment.
Tip #3: Brush Your Teeth
This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s always good to have a friendly reminder to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily. You’ll want to make sure you get all of the food particles and debris out of your teeth before you put your aligner back in to avoid putting your pearly whites at risk for decay and deterioration. Again, because the aligners are custom-fitted to your teeth, there’s not a lot of ‘wiggle room’, so you’ll want to have clean teeth to help keep bacteria at bay.
Tip #4 Brush Your Aligners Too
When you’re brushing your teeth, it’s also not a bad idea to clean your aligner too. Make sure you use your toothbrush gently, so you don’t get any scratches. Try to avoid putting toothpaste on your aligners because it can be abrasive, creating more scratches and holes where bacteria like to build up. Toothpaste can also dull your aligner and make them less invisible than you’d want them to be. You can also clean aligners with anti-bacterial soap for added protection, but just make sure it’s clear to avoid any staining.
We hope you’re excited about your Invisalign® journey. Our entire team is here with you every step of the way during your treatment and beyond. If you ever have any questions about Invisalign® or how to keep your aligners in tip-top shape, please don’t hesitate to contact our dental office in Carlsbad. We welcome your questions and look forward to hearing about your progress!
