How to Care for Your Invisalign®
If you've chosen Invisalign®, or if you're just interested in learning more about them, then you may be wondering how to properly care for and maintain your aligner trays during treatment. At Azarko Dental Group, a Edmonton dental clinic, we always make sure that our patients have all of the information they need for a successful treatment with Invisalign®. Here are our top tips for taking care of your Invisalign.
Rinse your Invisalign® after removing them
The most important tip for keeping your Invisalign® clean and in good shape is to rinse them off whenever you take them off. Whether you are taking them off to eat, drink, sleep, play sports, or for any other reason, a quick rinse will prevent plaque and saliva from drying on your aligners and encouraging bacteria growth.
Brush your Invisalign® each time you brush your teeth
Of course, your Invisalign® will also require a deeper cleaning than just a simple rinse from time to time. Making it a habit to clean your aligner trays each time you brush your teeth is a good idea. It will keep your aligners clean and prevent the transfer of bacteria back to your teeth after you have brushed them. Invisalign® can be easily cleaned with a toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste.
Use a soft toothbrush and a gentle brushing technique
You can use your regular toothbrush to clean your Invisalign®, but only if it is a soft-bristled toothbrush. Harder bristles can damage your trays. In fact, most dentists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth because harder bristles can damage your tooth enamel as well. Even with a soft-bristled toothbrush, you don't want to scrub your Invisalign® too hard. Use a gentle technique and rinse your trays underneath cool water when you are done.
Remove your Invisalign® when you eat
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign® is that they can be removed, which means you can continue eating all of your favourite foods during treatment. You may be tempted to have a bite with your aligner trays on, but you should always remove your trays first unless you are having a drink of water. Not only can certain foods and drinks stain your aligners, but Invisalign® are not made to withstand strong chewing forces.
Follow your dentist's personalized instructions
Ultimately, the best way to care for your Invisalign® is according to how your dentist recommends based on your needs and treatment plans. Call the practice Azarko Dental Group, we can let you know if Invisalign® are right for you and how to take care of your aligner trays once your treatment starts.
If you have any more questions about Invisalign® or Invisalign® care, don't hesitate to contact our Edmonton dental clinic today.
