6 tips to protect invisible aligners

In the last few years, orthodontic treatment has seen many impressive developments. Gone are the days when your only option to fix your crooked teeth were hideous metal braces. Today, several great brands offer high-quality clear aligners, also called invisible aligners, for teeth straightening. In this article, let’s understand more about invisible aligners and discuss how to take care of them.

What are invisible aligners?

As the name suggests, clear aligners or invisible aligners are virtually invisible to the other person. Unlike metal braces, they can be removed, so they are incredibly convenient and flexible. Invisible aligners can be used for treating a variety of cases, such as crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, diastema, open bites, and misaligned primary teeth. Just as metal braces, invisible aligners use gradual force to control the movement of teeth, but without the help of wires and brackets. They are made from strong plastic material and are custom-built for each patient.

Dentists usually recommend wearing invisible aligners for 20 to 22 hours in a day for excellent results. Typically, they need to be changed after three weeks of usage, and the total length of treatment varies depending on the severity of teeth misalignment.

How to take care of your invisible aligners?

The greatest benefit of using invisible aligners is that you can get your teeth straightened without feeling self-conscious about your looks during the treatment period. If want to keep them from being noticeable to others and ensure their safety, here is what you need to do:

Remove them while eating

Just as some foods and drinks can stain your teeth, they can stain your invisible aligners too. Food particles can also get stuck between the invisible aligner trays and teeth. Also, keep in mind that the material used to make these aligners cannot withstand the force of chewing, and could cause damage and become less effective. You must remember to remove them before consuming dark-colored drinks such as coffee, tea, or any other juices to prevent them from staining.

Rinse them every day

When you take your aligners out before you eat food or drink, use that as an opportunity to clean them thoroughly. Rinsing the trays keeps them wet and prevents plaque and saliva from drying on the trays, leading to staining and discoloration. Also, keep in mind that you should not rinse the aligner with hot water, as it can bend the trays and directly impact its effectiveness. Instead, use cold tap water or lukewarm water to clean your invisible aligners and make them look clear and beautiful on your teeth.

Don’t brush the aligners with toothpaste

Toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients that don’t harm your teeth, but they do damage your invisible aligners. They can scratch the resin of the aligners, leading to discoloration. You can instead use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them either in the morning or night or both the time. Make sure you use the brush very gently to remove plaques and bacteria from the inside and outside of the aligners and avoid scratching the trays.

Floss your teeth

Make it a habit to floss your teeth whenever you can during the day, preferably immediately after consuming a meal. If food particles get stuck between your teeth, it can attract bacteria that can stain your aligners and give you bad breath.

Keep them in the case

When you take your aligners out for having food or drinks, it’s best to keep them in the case to protect them against any kind of damage. You must avoid putting them in your pocket or inside your purse as it can cause them to bend and scratch. It’s recommended that you carry the aligner case to your workplace and any other place that you visit.

Clean the aligners

Cleaning your aligner regularly is probably the best way to make them appear new. And the best part is, cleaning it is quick, easy, and inexpensive. There are several ways of cleaning the invisible aligners for your teeth. You can pick any of these methods depending on the substances available in your house.

• Baking soda and water
  The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of the baking soda can effectively clear off the residue from the aligner. Allow the aligner to soak in a mixture of a tablespoon of baking soda and half a cup of water for about an hour.
• Soap and water: A mixture of liquid soap and water can also have a similar effect if you allow the aligner to soak for 20 to 30 minutes in the solution. People also use a mixture of vinegar and water, and hydrogen peroxide and water to clean the aligners.