When you have Invisalign aligners and want to improve the placement of your teeth, it can be exciting to look forward to a new smile while working with a dental professional. The aligners will stay in your mouth for most of the day, making it necessary to keep them clean on a consistent basis. There are a few main reasons why it’s important to keep your aligners clean as they’re frequently in use to avoid potential issues that can develop over time.
Avoid Stains
One of the main reasons why orthodontists will recommend cleaning your aligners each day is to keep them clear and transparent. Over time, aligners that aren’t brushed frequently can develop stains and discoloration due to excess grime and bacteria that accumulates. It can be easy to feel embarrassed if you have yellow aligners in your mouth.
Consuming foods like marinara sauce, coffee, and soda can stain the aligners even when they’re not in the mouth when you consume foods. This makes it necessary to gently brush the aligners with a mixture of baking soda and water. Toothpaste also works well for removing bacteria and germs in-between uses.
As you keep the aligners clean, it can allow them to remain transparent on your teeth and will allow them to blend in without appearing noticeable. It will also prevent stains from developing on your teeth to ensure they remain bright and vibrant. You won’t have to worry about bleaching your teeth in the future and can show off a smile that looks attractive.
Prevent Odors From Forming
It can be easy for the aligners to start to smell as they’re in the mouth for an average of 22 hours each day. Whether you’re sleeping at night and have bad breath, or you’re consuming different types of foods during the day, the trays can develop strong odors that linger. Failing to clean the aligners will cause you to always have bad breath, even after you brush, due to the bacteria that sits on the aligners and transfers to your teeth.
Reduce the Risk of Cavities
Many people are surprised to learn that they can suffer from tooth decay while wearing Invisalign. As bacteria and plaque form on the aligners, the germs can transfer to the teeth and become trapped. After you eat, small particles of food can also become trapped in the aligners and sit on the teeth for long periods of time, which can gradually lead to tooth decay. The salvia doesn’t have the ability to frequently clean the teeth due to the aligners. Cleaning the trays will prevent cavities from forming and can protect the quality of your teeth throughout the year as you wear the aligners.
Cleaning the trays requires using a tintless soap. Avoid using warm or hot water, which can cause damage to the mold and shape of the aligners. Water alone is also not enough to remove germs and bacteria. Cleaning crystals and denture cleaners are also effective and won’t cause any damage to the plastic materials, according to Healthline.
Although the trays need to be worn for 22 hours each day, they should be soaking in a cleaning solution for the two hours that they’re not in use.
Prevent Gum Irritation
An additional reason why it’s important to clean your aligners during the week is to prevent gum irritation from developing. Gum irritation occurs when germs are present in the mouth, which can lead to infections and inflammation. If your trays are covered in germs and bacteria that aren’t cleaned off, the grime can sit on your gums and lead to complications. This can lead to bleeding when you floss and brush and can eventually lead to conditions like gingivitis. When your gums are swollen, it can lead to a lot of discomfort and pain. You may find it uncomfortable to chew different types of food, making it necessary to clean the aligners to avoid the issue.
Understanding the importance of keeping your aligners clean will allow you to improve the level of care that you provide to ensure they remain in great shape and don’t need to be replaced. Working with a dental professional will allow you to discover additional tips for keeping the aligners clean and preventing them from