Keeping Invisalign Braces Clean

The main reason for choosing to have the more expensive Invisalign braces fitted is that the clear plastic retainers are almost invisible, making them a much better choice, cosmetically, if this is one of your concerns about the process. However, if you don't do everything you can to keep your retainers clean, then all the hard work, and money that you've spent will be for nothing, and the clear plastic aligners may not appear so “clear” after all.

No Smoking

One of the most likely things to stain your plastic braces is smoking. Nicotine is one of the worst things for staining your teeth and Invisalign braces are affected in the same way. Aside from staining, there is evidence that smoking can actually stop any types of braces from being as effective as they could be. Smoking reduces blood flow to areas like the gums, and without a good blood supply teeth are unlikely to move as smoothly or as quickly. Getting braces of any design is a good reason to quit smoking, to make sure you get the best out of your treatment, but if you have decided to go for Invisalign, smoking will make it more difficult to keep them clean and to keep your smile looking beautiful while wearing the aligners.

Cleaning Help

As well as running your Invisalign braces under the tap regularly and giving them a brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush a few times a day, it is a good idea to give them a more thorough cleaning now and them. This will keep them smelling and looking good and stop the build up of a white film on the plastic, which can be difficult to remove once it appears. Once a day, you should soak your aligners in a denture bath. This involves taking soluble tablets and dissolving them in water and simply dropping your retainers in the liquid.

There are special retainer cleansers on the market, but they can be more difficult to find and often more expensive. Denture cleansers do the job just as well, despite the Invisalign manufacturers telling patients not to use them! Your brace aren't the only things that should be kept hygienically clean; make sure you wash your hands before and after either taking out or putting in your braces and give the aligner's case a good clean out regularly. Excess saliva from the braces can collect in the case quickly becoming smelly and unhygienic.