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19 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8GE

Dos & Donts When Cleaning Your Invisalign

Is there anything more precious than your smile? We don’t think so. Not only is a bright, shining and straight appearance desirable, but it can have health benefits, too. That’s why so many of our patients here at our dental practice near Harley Street invest in their smiles through Invisalign braces.

You’ve probably heard lots about this revolutionary treatment: clear braces, easily removed, highly comfortable – the list goes on. But, many of our patients (or potential patients) feel a little in the dark about how to care for Invisalign and want to know a bit more about it before they start their journey.

Today, our expert dentists near Harley Street share a few dos and don’ts about looking after your Invisalign, so you’re a bit more informed about what’s involved. Let’s dive in.

DO clean your Invisalign

First of all, you need to clean your Invisalign. If you don’t, you risk trapping food particles and bacteria within the shape of the aligners, even if you do remove them when eating (as we advise). With your Invisalign potentially collecting these risky particles, you’re then exposing your teeth to them when you put the braces back in – so it’s so, so important to make sure they’re clean whenever you do so.

DON’T forget to clean your teeth

It’s the rule of two! Two minutes a day, two times a day, and two essential tasks: brushing and flossing. Whatever your age, the condition of your smile, and whether or not you have missing teeth or braces, it’s of paramount importance that you keep on top of cleaning your teeth. Otherwise, there’s little point in straightening them! (As an aside, if you need advice on which products to use or on techniques to try, our expert dentists near Harley Street are happy to help.)

DO clean your Invisalign aligners correctly

There’s quite a bit to remember here, but once you get into the swing of things, it’ll become second nature. Here goes.

  • Clean your braces on removal. This involves a light rinse under the tap – warm water ONLY, or you’ll risk warping your Invisalign aligners.
  • Clean your braces or reinsertion. Just to make sure there’s no chance of getting anything trapped in there!
  • Soak your Invisalign aligners regularly. Every couple of days should do the trick – the company has their cleaning crystals, or you could opt for denture cleaner as a cheaper alternative.
  • Never use harsh, abrasive cleaning products. These could damage your aligners. And yes, even toothpaste could pose a problem!
  • Store your aligners if out and soak them. This just adds a bit of extra protection and can help prevent bacteria from collecting on the aligners.

DON’T forget trips to the dentist

Poor oral care or incorrect cleaning of your Invisalign aligners could pose a threat to your oral health. And, we always advise our patients to attend regular check-ups throughout the year. Talk to us about what’s right for you, and keep on top of the health of your smile. One word of warning: your dentist doesn’t clean your braces, only your smile!

DON’T delay!

Give us a call to book an appointment or Invisalign consultation with our expert dentists near Harley Street. Find the details on our website.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out our newest blog on what food and drinks to avoid with Invisalign.