November 30, 2018
Being able to correct your teeth in a way that is both simple and hard to notice is just about a dream come true. The catch, of course, is that keeping your invisible aligners… well, invisible, takes at least a little bit of effort. And, with the holiday season comes a whole host of feasts and new foods, so you may be wondering what the best or easiest way to achieve this may be.
If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered. Here are some simple ways to keep your invisible aligners clean and free of discoloration:
1. Regularly remove and rinse your aligners
When you get up in the morning to brush your teeth, you’re dead-smack in the middle of the opportune time to clean your aligners and prep them for your day. And, while that might seem a little obvious, we want to point out that you might not be thinking of the rest of the day ahead. That being said, one of the simplest moves to make to ensure that your aligners stay clean throughout an active daily routine is just to rinse them out every time you remove them to eat or adjust for comfort.
2. Soak your aligners with retainer cleaner or a homemade solution
Soaking your aligners every day is key to keeping them clean, and the good news is that there are all sorts of ways to do this. For instance, use a mixture of warm water and a tablet of store-bought retainer cleaner to soak your trays for 15 to 20 minutes. But, if you’re short on time or money, DIY solutions made of household items are also great! For instance, you can simply mix ½ cup of warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda, or you can try mixing one part white vinegar and three parts warm water. Of course, if you use the baking soda, be sure to soak them for an hour, and if you soak them with vinegar, 20 minutes should be fine. In either case, be sure to clean and rinse your aligners again once they’re done!
3. Never leave your trays out in the open when you’re not wearing them
Leaving your aligners out in the open means exposing them to bacteria… and the longer they’re left out, the greater the bacterial buildup will be. Plus, you don’t want to accidentally lose them! If you’re not wearing your aligners, always be sure to keep them in a container and, if they are left out at all, always be sure to rinse them before you put them back in your mouth.
Keeping your invisible aligners clean may require a little bit of thought but, at the end of the day, is easy to both remember and achieve! If you have any further questions about your aligners or are in need of an adjustment, be sure to contact SouthShore Orthodontics. We provide exceptional service in a welcoming environment, so don’t forget to call us today to schedule an appointment!