How to Clean Invisalign Retainers & Trays

Did you just get yourself fitted with brand new Invisalign retainers from your dentist in Melton, and are you wondering how do I clean my Invisalign retainers? Or maybe it’s been a few years and your trays have gotten dingy and discoloured, and you’re looking for ways to clean them? 

Then we have you covered. To help you, we’ll be breaking down the best cleaning methods for your retainers & trays, and provide tips on how to care for them so they last longer.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a contemporary dental procedure that uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners that help you straighten your teeth discretely with no wires or brackets, helping you restore your smile.

The aligners are made from a flexible plastic material called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and are custom-made to fit your mouth. 

Why Should I Clean My Invisalign Regularly?

Your Invisalign trays are customised to your smile to fit snugly around your teeth. Over time, they fall into the right position. However, they can still trap food particles that will build plaque and bacteria between your teeth and gums over a course of time. If not removed promptly, these particles can lead to bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.

Cleaning your retainers regularly will help keep bacteria and plaque at bay, keeping your smile healthy.

What Materials Do You Need to Safely Clean Your Invisalign?

You will need a few materials to keep your Invisalign clean and bacteria-free. Here’s what you should have with you:

What’s the best method to clean Invisalign?

Nothing screams confidence like a set of perfectly aligned pearly whites. Invisalign retainers and trays help you get that perfect smile, so it’s important to take care of your retainers and trays to maintain that bright smile you always wanted. Here is a step-by-step guide that will help you keep your Invisalign trays in top condition:

Step 1: Rinse Your Trays

The first step is to rinse your trays with warm water. This will help remove any food debris and plaque that may have built up or gotten stuck throughout the day. You can gently scrub your trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Tip: Make sure that you don’t harm the surface with sharp objects or tough firm bristles.

Step 2: Use an Invisalign Cleaning Kit

Invisalign offers special cleaning kits designed for Invisalign retainers and trays. These kits have a special cleaning solution and a tray holder that is designed to brush away debris. Simply place your trays in the tray holder, fill them with Invisalign cleaning crystals, and soak them for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Brush Gently 

After you’ve rinsed your trays, brush them with toothpaste. This will help remove any bacteria and bad breath that may develop throughout the day. 

Tip:To prevent scratching the surface of your aligners, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.

Step 4: Dry and Store Away

When you’re done brushing, thoroughly dry your trays before storing them in their protective case. This will prevent them from getting damaged or stained while they’re not in use.

The Don’ts of Cleaning Invisalign Trays 

By now you know that cleaning your invisalign trays regularly are essential for good oral hygiene. However, there are a few cleaning blunders that you need to avoid during this process.

Not Brushing Your Trays Daily

Just like brushing your teeth every day, it’s important to brush your trays daily. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild toothpaste.

Using Strong Cleaning Products

Don’t use toothpaste or mouthwash with strong chemicals to clean your trays.You might think that using such products will fasten the cleaning process and make it thorough. Instead what it will do is harm your trays and make them less useful in the long run. 

Not Soaking Your Trays

Soaking your trays in a special solution is key. It helps to dislodge food particles that may be stuck on the surface and sanitise the entire tray. Aim to soak your trays at least once a week. 

Forgetting to Rinse

Forgetting to rinse your trays after soaking them is a big mistake, as the debris left behind can be acidic and damage your trays. After each cleaning session, simply rinse with lukewarm water and let the trays air dry.

How to Store Your Invisalign Trays Safely 

As much as cleaning your invisalign retainers are essential, it’s also vital that you store them properly to maintain and keep your invisalign aligners in good shape.Here’s how:

1. Store Your Trays in the Case Provided

The Invisalign system has a specially designed storage case.This case will help keep your trays fresh and free from dust or other contaminants. Always remember to store your trays in the case when you’re not using them.

2. Keep Your Trays Away From Pets and Children

If you have pets or kids, you know how curious they get and how they love to pull and chew things. Make sure that you store your Invisalign trays away from them as it will be hazardous to them, as well if they chew on the trays it could lead to contamination.

3. Don’t Expose Your Trays to Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures can damage your Invisalign trays. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight heat or cold temperatures. Don’t dump them and keep them for days in a hot car or store them in the fridge or freezer. Always keep your trays in storage, under strict room temperature.

What are the benefits of Cleaning Invisalign Retainers & Trays

Avoid Bacterial Buildup

Your dentist will advise you to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours a day. If the trays aren’t cleaned properly any debris or food particles can accumulate bacteria in the long run, eventually leading to cavity formation and, in more severe cases, gum disease. 

Reduce Unsightly Discoloration

It’s easy for plastic Invisalign trays to develop discoloration over time. By the end of the two-week period, you may notice them turn a yellowish tinge. This is more likely to occur if you don’t clean your trays. This discoloration can make previously transparent trays far more obvious and affect your overall smile.

Block Bad Breath

Anything that builds up in the aligners contributes to bad breath. That’s because the particles and debris linger in your mouth, trapped between your teeth and the plastic tray. If the Invisalign trays start to smell, this creates a hospitable environment for bad breath to develop, too.

How often should you clean Invisalign retainers?

To get the best out of your Invisalign treatment, make sure you regularly clean your retainers. You should do this twice daily, around the same time you brush your teeth and floss. This will help remove any lingering bits of food in your mouth and reduce the build-up of harmful bacteria.

In order to keep that bright smile you need to clean your Invisalign retainers and trays. It just only takes a few minutes of your day and with the proper tools, you can maintain your aligners feeling fresh and looking great for years to come.

Explore Your Invisalign Options at Melton Dental.

If you’re interested in finding out whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, or if you’d like to learn more about wearing them or simply taking care of them  you can trust our dentist at Melton to help you. We’re here to make your dental experience as smooth as possible and give you the smile you always wanted so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!