Although orthodontic treatment focuses on enhancing your natural smile, maintaining good oral hygiene shouldn’t take a back seat. In fact, regularly cleaning your Invisalign trays and retainers will support your oral health, comfort, and even the overall success of your treatment.
Every time you remove your aligners to eat or drink, make a habit of rinsing them with cold or lukewarm water, along with a daily deep cleaning to keep them bacteria-free.
Here are 4 simple and effective methods:
- Invisalign Cleaning System
- A Soft-bristled Toothbrush (sans toothpaste)
- Retainer Cleaning Tablets
- White Vinegar Solution
Whether you’re using Invisalign trays during active treatment or retainers post-treatment, proper cleaning helps you get the most out of your investment!
Cleaning Your Invisalign: Why it Matters
Invisalign is an attractive orthodontic option because its components are removable and almost invisible. Watching your smile improve over time can be a wonderful experience, but please don’t forget your oral health in the process. Always take the time to clean your trays or retainer!
- Invisalign Trays: Also known as aligners, these will be changed every 1-2 weeks as treatment progresses.
- Retainers: These maintain the results of your smile post-treatment, preventing your teeth from shifting. There are several options for retainers, including invisible trays.
Although trays change every 1-2 weeks, you still wear them for up to 22 hours a day. You’ll also be wearing your retainers for at least 8 hours a night. Both of these devices come into constant contact with food particles, bacteria, and plaque, making them a potential breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.
Invisalign aligners and trays are custom-made to the contours of your teeth. However, this secure fit means that they can easily trap food particles, bacteria, and plaque between teeth.
Invisalign also creates a barrier, preventing saliva from doing its job of breaking down food particles between meals. This means that, if you don’t clean your aligners (despite brushing), you’re trapping bacteria against your teeth and gums, leading to plaque build-up, and increasing the risk of cavities or tooth decay.
Here’s why cleaning both the trays and retainer is absolutely essential:
- Preventing bad breath: Without daily cleaning, your retainers or trays can develop unpleasant odours and unsightly stains, making them less enjoyable to wear.
- Protecting oral health: Bacteria buildup on dirty trays or retainers can contribute to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.
- Keeping a beautiful smile: Stains on your aligners can make them appear cloudy or yellow, taking away from their barely noticeable feature. Regular cleaning keeps them invisible.
How Often Should You Clean Your Invisalign?
Consistency is key to healthy oral habits, including cleaning your orthodontic devices. Here’s a general guideline to help get you started:
- Daily Cleaning: Rinse your trays with cold or lukewarm water and clean them gently to remove surface debris. Daily cleaning prevents bacteria buildup.
- After Meals: Rinse your trays (and your mouth) whenever you remove them with water, particularly after eating, to prevent food particles from sticking. This helps protect your enamel and reduces the risk of gum inflammation.
- Deep Cleaning 2–3 Times Per Week: Give your trays and retainers a thorough cleanse with special products or methods (more on this later).
Never use hot water! Many assume that hot water kills germs more effectively, but it actually distorts the plastic, leaving you with misshapen trays and delaying your treatment.
Cleaning Invisalign 101: Methods & Solutions
Cleaning your trays and retainers is simple and doesn’t take a lot of time. There are many effective ways to tackle debris and bacteria on your devices, helping to keep them fresh and germ-free!
The choice is up to you. Here are some top methods and solutions we recommend:
Rinse with Lukewarm Water
Lukewarm water is the most basic and accessible cleaning option. After removing your retainers, rinse them immediately with lukewarm (never hot) water to remove saliva and prevent plaque buildup.
This method is simple and great for a gentle rinse between removals, but doesn’t suffice as a deep clean. Pair this technique with other methods to effectively remove bacteria and buildup.
Invisalign Cleaning System
The Invisalign Cleaning System is specifically for cleaning trays or invisible retainers.
This system uses cleaning crystals to remove plaque, bacteria, acids, and tough stains from your orthodontic devices while also neutralizing odours.
Dissolve the cleaning crystals in a cup of lukewarm water and soak your trays for 15–20 minutes. Afterwards, brush your aligners gently with a soft toothbrush and rinse them with lukewarm water.
A Soft-bristled Toothbrush
A soft-bristled toothbrush is an excellent daily cleaning tool for your Invisalign trays or retainers.
After removing your trays, gently brush the inside and outside surfaces using lukewarm water. However, don’t use toothpaste, as it may be too abrasive and can cause tiny scratches in your trays.
This method is quick and convenient for removing particles and keeping your trays fresh. You can also finish with retainer tablets to leave your orthodontic tools fresh and sparkling.
Retainer Cleaning Tablets
Retainer cleaning tablets disinfect your aligners and retainers and remove stubborn debris.
Dissolve a tablet in a container of lukewarm water and soak your trays for the recommended time (usually 10–15 minutes). After, rinse your trays thoroughly.
Combine this method with a soft-bristled toothbrush for a more effective cleaning.
White Vinegar Solution
For a natural and budget-friendly option, a white vinegar solution works wonders.
Mix one part white vinegar with three parts lukewarm water in a bowl. Place your retainers in the mixture and allow them to soak for 15–20 minutes. After, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove the vinegar taste and smell.
Keep Your Smile Clean & Healthy
Proper Invisalign care is non-negotiable for maintaining oral health and achieving your dream smile. Incorporating these easy cleaning habits into your routine keeps your trays and retainer looking and feeling as good as new!
No matter the questions or if you’re seeking expert advice, our Orthodontic Smile Studio team is here to help. Book your consultation today and take the next step toward a healthier, brighter smile!
