By now, those who are using Invisalign know they work just as well as metal braces. Yet, for both new and old users, the challenge is how to clean Invisalign. The good news is there are simple steps to do it.
People who have crooked teeth or an abnormal bite struggle a lot. Crooked teeth are hard to clean, which leads to decay or gum disease. Also, abnormal bites affect chewing and speaking, while possibly hurting the jaws.
For parents with young children, these risks are unacceptable. Luckily, Invisalign solves these problems and provides other great benefits. It has a better appearance and a lower risk of damage. Moreover, it is more comfortable to wear and doesn’t have any food restrictions.
These benefits make it easier for children to agree to wear it. Yet, everyone still wonders how to clean Invisalign once they have them. Keep reading to learn how.
Easy Steps on How to Clean Invisalign
Orthodontists estimate that braces can benefit up to 75 percent of children. Not only would they straighten teeth, but also fix functional problems. Plus, it could benefit the shape of their face.
Despite being pricey, Invisalign is proving to be a better alternative to metal braces. Unfortunately, some people don’t know how to clean Invisalign. These three easy steps will solve this issue for you:
1. Simple Brushing
Take out the Invisalign at twice a day to clean them and remove any odor. Use an antibacterial hand soap since some toothpaste ingredients may damage the braces. For example, some toothpastes have abrasive agents.
Use a gentle brush and lightly scrub your aligners until they look clean. Once complete, rinse them in lukewarm water. Stay away from hot water as it may melt the Invisalign.
Brush and floss your teeth while you wait for your aligners to dry. Then, put them back in your mouth.
2. Use a Homemade Cleaning Solution
If your Invisalign doesn’t come with a cleaning solution, you can make your own at home. Mix hydrogen peroxide with warm water in equal measure. Remove your aligners and soak them in the solution for about half an hour.
Rinse the aligners. You can take a brush and scrub lightly to remove any remaining food remnants. Dry the Invisalign and put it back in your mouth.
Another solution you can use is vinegar mixed with warm water. The only criticism is that it leaves an aftertaste.
3. Get an Ultrasonic Denture Cleaner
There are vibrating water baths available for cleaning your braces. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on mixing the soluble crystals with water. Insert your Invisalign in these cleaning solutions.
The ultrasonic denture cleaner will run for about 3 to 6 minutes. It will destroy microorganisms and agitate debris from the aligners. Once the cycle is complete, you can give your Invisalign a brush and a rinse.
Rinsing in warm water removes the solution from your aligners. This prevents an allergic reaction when you put them back in your mouth.
Learn More About Invisalign and Tooth Care
The simple steps above teach you how to clean Invisalign. Pick the step you are comfortable with. Remember to store the Invisalign in a protective case when not in use. This helps it last longer and stay clean for use.
Contact us to learn more about Invisalign and other tooth care techniques.