Our patients love Invisalign® aligners for their convenience, ease of wear, and beautiful results. And at Helotes Family Dentistry in Helotes, Texas, we love helping you get that straight smile you’ve always wanted. But in order for treatment to be successful, it’s important that you give proper care to your clear aligners. In this blog, we’ll offer up our top three tips for keeping your Invisalign aligners pristine and clean!
- Avoid Hot Water
- Clean Your Aligners Daily
- Avoid Using Toothpaste to Clean Trays
Invisalign aligners are made of a thin shell of plastic that won’t hold up against high temperatures. Washing your aligners with hot water would cause the trays to warp, leaving them unable to fit your smile or to deliver the intended results. Along these same lines, never put your aligners in the dishwasher. Instead, be sure to use lukewarm water to wash your Invisalign.
Cleaning your aligners regularly is an absolute must. Not just for the maintenance of your aligners, but for the health of your teeth and gums. If bacteria is allowed to build up on the trays, your teeth will be exposed to that bacteria nearly all day long. Clean your aligners every morning with soap and water, and rinse them anytime you remove them to avoid saliva buildup.
Although toothpaste is a great cleaning agent, it can be abrasive and could cause tiny scratches to occur on your aligners. Those scratches would become an easy spot for bacteria to linger, bacteria you don’t want hanging out near your teeth. Stick to soap and lukewarm water for best results. You can also soak your trays in retainer cleaner or soapy water for 15-20 minutes for a deeper clean.
Cosmetic Dentistry at Helotes Family Dental
At our practice, you’ll be treated by a passionate team of smile experts. From Invisalign to traditional braces, whitening to veneers, we offer all of the services you need to achieve a perfect smile. Give us a call to set up a consultation, or click the link below.
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