Tips for Taking Care of Your Invisalign Trays

Who wouldn’t want to straighten their teeth anywhere and anytime? That’s just one of the benefits of the Invisalign® system. It can also completely reinvent your smile in as little as six months — faster and more affordably than braces!

This novel approach uses clear, custom-made aligners to smile your way to straighter teeth without the hassle or discomfort of metal braces. However, while Invisalign does most of the work for you, you must take specific steps to get the most out of your treatment, including taking proper care of your Invisalign trays.

Here at Supertooth™, our experienced team provides cosmetic and general dental services in Bethesda, Germantown, and Gaithersburg, Maryland. We want our patients to have strong, healthy teeth that look great and function well. Our team also believes that education is key to reaching these goals.

To take full advantage of your Invisalign investment, we recommend following these tips to care for your aligner trays.

Use the right cleaners

One major advantage of Invisalign over metal braces is the clear trays. This innovative approach offers a more discreet way to get a straighter smile. However, the trays are still vulnerable to the same plaque buildup as your teeth. As a result, we suggest using the Invisalign cleaning system to keep your trays clean, crystal clear, and looking their best.

Make them a part of your oral hygiene routine

Another advantage of Invisalign over metal braces is that the trays are removable. That makes it easier to take them off to clean your teeth. But don’t stop there. Instead, when you remove your trays, you should clean them as part of your twice-daily oral hygiene routine. Simply use a soft-bristled brush to clear away debris on the trays and rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.

Don’t forget to rinse 

Speaking of rinsing — whenever you remove the trays for anything other than your daily cleaning, give them a good rinse before putting them back in your mouth again. And always use lukewarm water; the heat from hot water could warp your aligner trays.

Remove your aligners to eat and drink 

One of the things people find most appealing about Invisalign is how easy they are to remove. But it’s still tempting to leave them in when drinking an extra cup of coffee or grabbing a quick snack. Unfortunately, this puts your clear aligners at risk of staining and scratching, ruining their “invisibility.” 

Instead, play it safe and remove your trays any time you consume something other than clear water, and don’t forget to rinse your teeth before popping the trays back in again.

Use your protective aligner case

You have Invisalign’s patented SmartTrack thermoplastic material to thank for your aligner’s clear and barely noticeable appearance. However, that also makes them easy to lose and throw away. Whenever you take your aligners out, keep them safe and secure by putting them in their carrying case.

Have a spare set

We know what you’re thinking, “Out with the old and in with the new!” But it shouldn’t apply to your aligner trays. Our team recommends holding onto your last aligner trays when you move onto your new set. This approach ensures you always have a backup set of trays to hold your teeth in position if you lose your current set. Remember, it’s easy to lose aligners, but keeping a spare set can help keep your teeth on track until you can get a replacement.

If you’re ready to straighten your teeth, it’s hard to find a better option than Invisalign. And, with our help and guidance, your aligner trays can help you get the smile of your dreams in no time. To learn more about orthodontics and the Invisalign system, schedule a visit with a general dentist in Bethesda, Germantown, and Gaithersburg, Maryland, today.