Cleaning your aligners doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, there are lots of easy steps to follow – and things you can try – to make sure they stay free from germs, bacteria and food particles. It’s all to keep you on your path to a straighter smile and renewed confidence. Here are a few suggestions to follow when cleaning your aligners.

Rinse and repeat

Taking your aligners out for a meal or snack? Or, just taking a break? Whatever the reason, make sure you give them a rinse in warm water before they go back in.

Soak every couple of days

It’s important to clean your aligners in a solution every few days, as rinsing them off doesn’t always remove all those nasties. Usually, 15-30 minutes soaking should be enough. Mix antibac soap, white vinegar or baking soda with water. Rinse thoroughly afterwards, then leave to dry and pop back in when done.

A few things to avoid

We’ve so far talked about the dos of cleaning your aligners. What about the do nots? Some of these might seem obvious, but:

– Don’t use harsh chemicals

– Don’t use abrasive toothpaste

– Don’t use coloured mouthwashes

– Don’t use hot water

– Don’t EVER use the dishwasher

Final thoughts on Invisalign aligners…

If you don’t clean your aligners, you risk trapping all the ‘bad stuff’ between them and your teeth. You can also wave goodbye to clear plastic, as bits of food and bacteria could cause discolouration over time (which means treatment is much more noticeable). Finally, whatever your method of cleaning, ensure you wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day to keep treatment on track. And, if you’re ever in doubt? Talk to our expert Pontefract dentists.

Book with our specialist Pontefract dentists

As experts in dentistry, we’d love to help you on your journey to straighter teeth. But, we know that treatment can seem scary, or you might not know about all the amazing benefits aligners have to offer. That’s why we’d like to invite you to our Pontefract practice for a bespoke consultation, where we can cover your dental history, inspect your oral health and recommend the right treatments for a healthy, happy and confident smile. To get in touch, make an enquiry or simply find out more about us and what we can do for you, book online here or visit our contact page for all the details. We look forward to welcoming you to our Pontefract practice very soon!