Dental hygiene is crucial your whole life. As an orthodontic patient, you have probably heard a lot about how important it is to ensure oral hygiene during treatment.

Because teeth alignment implies applying force to move the teeth into the desired position, teeth need to be healthy, or there is a fracture risk. Traditional braces tend to add an extra layer of complexity to the cleaning routine, and though this is not the case with Invisalign trays, there are details about your hygiene you should know.

If your mouth is not healthy, you cannot have orthodontic treatment, and the first way to ensure dental health is oral hygiene.

You might already be familiar with the process of properly brushing your teeth during your orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, but here’s a quick reminder of the essentials.

• When you wake up in the morning, before bedtime, and after every meal.
• Using a fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing daily.
• Using mouthwash.

But there needs to be more clarity when it comes to Invisalign molds. You should wash your trays daily with water, soap, and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Once a day it’s okay, but you can do it twice.

If you constantly forget to do this or forget to brush your Invisalign, you allow invisible bacteria to stay in them, meaning you will put bacteria directly in contact with your teeth for 22 hours a day. You don’t want that.

Best Orthodontist in Chelsea

If you are not a patient of clear aligners yet and are looking for information because you are interested in Invisalign treatment for teens or adult orthodontic treatment in Chelsea, keep reading because we’ll provide a comparison between traditional braces and clear aligners and a guide to clean your trays.

Braces vs. Clear Aligners: What Are the Main Differences?

The many differences between clear aligners and conventional metal braces are evident. You can spot how different they are just by looking at them.

But the mechanics behind both alignment alternatives are the same. Clear aligners and braces work by applying pressure to your teeth. In one case, your teeth move with the help of archwires and brackets, and in the other case, a mold forces them to change position.

The appearance is not the only significant change Invisalign brings to orthodontics. The trays are transparent and resistant. But the next best thing about invisible straighteners is they are removable.

Removable orthodontic appliances eliminate food restrictions since patients can eat as they always have, and the dental hygiene routine does not require self-threaders or interdental brushes.

However, one thing does change in your night-time oral hygiene routine. You will have to add the cleaning of your trays. This is especially important at this time of day. Here’s why.

How to Clean Invisalign?

Patients have to wear Invisalign trays during the whole night, which happens to be the favorite time of oral bacteria. Your closed mouth is the perfect environment for them, so be sure to eliminate bacteria before you go to sleep.

The boom of clear aligners has brought a whole market of products for their users. Special soaps to wash your trays, effervescent tablets, homemade natural cleaners, and dozens of alternatives.

Disinfectant Powder for Clear Aligners

The brand Invisalign has its own product for the purpose of cleaning aligners. It’s called Invisalign Cleaning Crystals. They come in the form of individual packets of disinfecting powder. Each pack has one use.

The process is very simple. In a sterilized container, add warm water and the content of one bag. Gently stir the solution and put your Invisalign trays in after you rinse them. Leave for at least 15 minutes. Thoroughly rinse your aligners with warm water when you take them out.

Steraligner

This is an aligner cleaning solution by the brand Invisalign. It works similarly to regular soap, with the important difference being that it removes 99% of bacteria from your aligners along with plaque and tartar.

The product comes with a convenient soaking tray to fill it with a specific amount of cleaning solution. Put your molds in the trays and then add water to cover them. Leave for 3 to 5 minutes.

Once you take your molds out of the liquid, you will have to brush them in and out softly. The final step is to rinse until you are sure there is no cleaning solution left in your trays.

Dish Soap or Antibacterial Liquid Soap

Some patients like to try products they know and have at home. Dish soap is a safe option, though it was not designed to eliminate oral bacteria.

As with the previous solution, you will have to rinse your aligners in water first, and then you can add one or two drops of soap. You can also use a toothbrush to remove all visible and invisible dirt. Rinse completely when you finish brushing.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are grandma’s favorites to clean pretty much everything. The plus is these are nontoxic products, so they are safe.

Water is present in this process as well. Fill a container with warm water and add one to two tablespoons of baking soda. Stir to dissolve the baking soda, then leave your trays under the water for 5 minutes. Rinse again to wash the baking soda flavor away.

The steps are the same as cleaning with cooking vinegar. It has to be the transparent type (distilled white vinegar), so you don’t stain your Invisalign. The mix is one part water and one part vinegar. Leave for 20 minutes and rinse.

Baking soda and vinegar can’t substitute the brushing of your trays.

Seek The Counsel of an Expert Orthodontist in Chelsea, MI

As a last online recommendation, we do not advise the use of toothpaste on Invisalign trays since it is too strong and you could lose transparency.

Set an appointment and find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment Chelsea. Our doctors are highly qualified and ready to help you smile.

Make sure you find the perfect dental home near your area in Chelsea.