You took the plunge and finally had your Invisalign aligners fitted. You’re really happy with how natural and comfortable they are, but now you want to make sure you keep them sparkling clean and taken care of, so they keep up their invisible appearance. We at Clapham South Dental Centre have collected all our top tips to help maintain your new aligners.

An Invisalign recap

Invisalign Clapham is a type of aligner used to straighten out crooked teeth, space out overcrowding or pull back overbites. They consist of a clear tray that is made from durable, rigid plastic. You will need to wear your aligners for 22 hours per day, then once the treatment is complete you’ll receive retainers which will normally have to be worn overnight for a certain period. The treatment is very subtle and perfect for adults with orthodontic problems who want a discreet way to treat their issues.

What is the best way to clean my aligners?

Just like your natural teeth, your Invisalign Clapham will need to be looked after assiduously. You will need to be cleaning the aligners every time you clean your teeth. To clean them you will need a toothbrush, toothpaste, aligner cleaning tablets and a bowl of tepid or cold water.

What’s the process of a good clean?

First, you need to rinse your aligners under lukewarm water – be sure to avoid hot water as this can cause heat damage to them. Secondly, you need to soak them in the special Invisalign cleaning fluid. We recommend leaving it for between five to ten minutes, but always double-check the instructions. Once ready, take your toothbrush and brush along the lining of the device both inside and out of the shell. Be extremely careful when doing this as too much pressure on the plastic could cause a break.

When you’ve completed the brushing you need to check over your aligner for any leftover build-up of plaque or tartar. This can appear cloudy or white and it will also be stubborn to remove. Much like how plaque or tartar will cause damage and infection to your teeth and gums, it will begin to rot your aligner and can lead to the plastic becoming fragile and eventually breaking. It’s also worth noting regular cleaning will also mean your aligners stay odour free.

Extra top tips for aligner use

Whenever you take out your Invisalign aligners you need to make sure you clean your teeth before putting them back in again. If there is any food or drink trapped under them it will cause serious damage to your teeth over long periods.

Keep your Invisalign Clapham clean and safe – always try to keep them in their box or in a glass of water. You don’t want any dirt to get onto the surface without you knowing.

Avoid drinking anything other than water when wearing your device. Tea, coffee, squash, juice or alcohol will all leave your aligners looking stained and discoloured and your once beautiful clear solution to straight teeth will appear less than squeaky clean.