Invisalign Aligner Cleaning/Care - Woodinville, WA

While traditional braces are an effective treatment for crooked teeth, more and more adults and teenagers in Woodinville, WA are seeking out Invisalign®. This invisible alternative to traditional orthodontic care offers so many benefits. The most important one is that Invisalign does not interrupt your eating habits or normal routine.

While undergoing Invisalign treatment, Signature Smiles patients must practice good oral hygiene. Dr. Cristin Dowd and Dr. Ken Wu would like to discuss proper oral hygiene during Invisalign treatment and why it is so important.

Why Oral Hygiene Matters During Invisalign Treatment

While you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment, proper oral hygiene is essential for two key reasons:

• To Keep Your Teeth Clean - During Invisalign treatment, you keep your aligner trays on for roughly 22 hours each day. With the Invisalign trays on for so long, any food particles that may be trapped between your teeth or on your aligner trays will drastically increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Proper oral hygiene is a common sense way to avoid these problems from occurring.
• To Keep Your Invisalign Aligners Clean - Invisalign aligners can stain easily if they are not cleaned regularly. With a stained aligner, your tray will be conspicuous rather than invisible. Proper oral hygiene helps ensure no one notices that you have your aligner trays in place.

How to Clean Your Invisalign Aligners

First, remove your Invisalign aligners. Next, you have two options: you can either use Invisalign cleaning products or simply use your toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.

If you’re using a toothbrush and toothpaste, be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Be gentle yet thorough to avoid scratching the aligner tray. Scuffs or scratches on an aligner tray will make them more visible.

Once you’re finished cleaning your Invisalign aligner, give it a good rinse before putting in back on.

How Often Should I Clean My Invisalign Aligners?

You should clean your Invisalign aligners at least once a night, though you may want to consider additional cleanings if needed.

Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums During Invisalign Treatment

We advise our Woodinville Invisalign patients to brush and floss their teeth after every meal. This helps remove food particles between teeth so they do not remain stuck in place and increase your risk of cavities and periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing after every meal will also help avoid bad breath during Invisalign treatment.

After brushing and flossing, be sure to give your Invisalign aligners a good rinse before putting them back on.

Can I Drink with Invisalign Aligners On?

You can only drink cold/cool clean water while your Invisalign trays are on.

Drinking any other beverage can increase your risk of tooth decay or stains on your Invisalign trays. Hot beverages can warp the Invisalign tray shape, so you should not drink hot water with your trays on either.

How Long Will I Wear Each Invisalign Aligner?

Each new aligner is worn for two weeks at a time. Patients discard the old tray and wear the next Invisalign tray for two weeks, continuing to be diligent about cleaning and good oral hygiene.

Attend All Invisalign Follow-Up Visits

In order to ensure the best possible results during Invisalign treatment, patients should come to our Woodinville dental practice for all follow-up care visits. Any issues can be addressed during these periodic checkups.

Learn More About Invisalign

For more information about Invisalign and why it may be a good option for you and your needs, be sure to contact our skilled team of dentists. The team a Signature Smiles can be reached by phone at (425) 489-1177.