How To Clean Invisalign – Top Methods for Effectively Cleaning Your Aligners

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential when undergoing Invisalign treatment. Properly cleaning your aligners ensures their effectiveness and helps maintain your oral health. In this blog post, we’ll outline the best practices for cleaning your Invisalign aligners to keep them in tip-top shape.

Avoid These Practices When Cleaning Invisalign

Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to know what to avoid. Refrain from the following when cleaning your Invisalign aligners.

-Using mouthwash, dishwasher soap, or harsh cleaning soaps.

-Rinsing or soaking your aligners in hot water.

-Scrubbing with a brush that has hard or medium bristles.

-Roughly cleaning your retainer.

-Soaking your retainer for an excessively long time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Invisalign Aligners

Follow these steps to clean your Invisalign aligners properly:

-Remove your aligners and rinse them under lukewarm water.

-Brush your aligners gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste.

-Make sure to brush both the exterior and interior surfaces of the aligners. Some people find it easier to brush the exterior while wearing the aligners and then clean the interior after removing them.

-Rinse your aligners thoroughly under lukewarm water after brushing.

Invisalign Cleaning System

In addition to the above steps, you can also use the Invisalign Cleaning System for a more thorough cleaning. Here’s how to use it.

-Remove your aligners and rinse them under lukewarm water.

-Place your aligners into the cleaning tub and fill it with lukewarm water.

-Add one packet of Invisalign cleaning crystals.

-Shake the tub for 20 seconds to dissolve the crystals.

-Gently shake the tub again for another 20 seconds.

-Rinse your aligners thoroughly with warm water before wearing them.

FAQ’s

How Do I Clean My Invisalign With Retainer Brite?

Retainer Brite is a tablet that dissolves and kills bacteria on your braces and prevents plaque. You’ll want to place one tablet into warm tap water and soak your aligners for 15 minutes. After you’ve soaked them for 15 minutes, you’ll want to rinse them with warm water. If you have a cordless sonic cleaner, you’ll want to clean them with that. Using a cordless sonic cleaner will remove bacteria and plaque from areas that are difficult to get to. Retainer Brite may not remove excessive plaque that has grown on your braces, but it’s a good product to use to prevent plaque.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign With SonicBrite?

SonicBrite is a powder that comes with a sonic cleaner. SonicBrite is a very strong product that kills bacteria and removes the most stubborn plaque. If your aligners have a lot of plaque, you may need to clean it several times with SonicBrite to remove it all. To clean your aligners with SonicBrite, you’ll want to measure one spoonful of powder, and place it into the sonic cleaner with warm tap water. Next, place your aligners into the liquid, and turn on the sonic cleaner. The sonic cleaner will run for approximately 15 minutes. After the sonic cleaner turns off, be sure to take your aligners out, and rinse them with warm water.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign With Cleanse Freshen Go?

If you take your aligners in and out of your mouth constantly, you’ll want to purchase these cleaning wipes. If you don’t have access to running water, this product is a great way to clean your aligners. Cleanse Freshen Go also makes a retainer cleaning spray.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign With DentaSoak?

To use DentaSoak, you’ll want to mix it once, and use the soaking solution for an entire week. By soaking your aligners for 15 minutes, it’ll kill bacteria. The product also removes plaque after several uses.

OAP Cleaner

The company that makes this product claims that it kills 99.9 percent of bacteria within 60 seconds. The cleaner comes in gel and foam form. The foam is best for people who have Invisalign.

Can I Use Mouthwash To Clean My Invisalign?

You can soak your aligners in equal amounts of water and mouthwash to kill some bacteria and temporarily improve the smell of your aligners. Unfortunately, most mouthwash includes alcohol. Alcohol can be harmful to your plastic aligners. You should avoid regularly soaking your aligners in mouthwash, and only use this method occasionally.

Can I Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Water to Clean my Invisalign?

You can mix equal amounts of warm tap water and hydrogen peroxide to clean your retainer. Let your retainer soak for 30 minutes. After they are done soaking, you’ll want to rinse your retainer thoroughly with warm water. Hydrogen peroxide will kill bacteria, but unfortunately, it won’t remove plaque.

Can I use Antibacterial Soft Soap to clean my Invisalign?

Using a clear antibacterial soft soap is a great way to keep your aligners clean, fresh and clear of bacteria. Unfortunately, using this method won’t remove or prevent plaque.

Quora And Reddit Threads

According to one answer, research has shown that sodium hypochlorite in bleach is effective at breaking up stains and disinfecting Invisalign aligners. Since the aligners are made entirely of plastic without any metal components, a diluted bleach rinse is considered a safe option for cleaning them [1].

Several Reddit threads where users discuss their methods for cleaning Invisalign aligners:

1. One user suggests soaking the aligners in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water once a day for a few minutes to prevent yellowing [1].
2. Another user shares their routine of soaking trays during breakfast, alternating between retainer brite, a 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide solution, or water and baking soda. After soaking for about 25 minutes, they lightly brush the aligners with a soft toothbrush [2].
3. A third user cleans their aligners using a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, which they find effective in cleaning the nooks and leaving them smelling minty fresh [3].

Please note that it’s essential to consult your orthodontist before using any cleaning method, as they may have specific recommendations based on your unique situation.

Call Tisseront Orthodontics Today To Schedule an Appointment

At Tisseront Orthodontics in Reston, Va., you can have an examination from our knowledgeable orthodontist. Dr. Stephen Tisseront provides orthodontic treatments for adults, teenagers, and children with these devices:

• Aligners – designed using Invisalign software
• Braces – metal, ceramic and lingual
• Retainers – to keep teeth in position after orthodontic treatment ends
• Surgical orthodontics – removal of baby or extra teeth

Our patients can have iTero archwires designed at our orthodontic office, and we also offer Acceledent Aura devices to reduce treatment time. Call us today at 703-773-1200 to schedule an examination with Dr. Tisseront in our state-of-the-art orthodontic facility.