How to Maintain Your Clear Aligners for Optimal Results

Here are a series of tips and steps you can take to keep your clear aligners in good condition so that they are comfortable to wear and can perform their functions correctly and as quickly as possible.
 

Cleaning

One of the advantages of clear aligners is that they are not noticeable to the naked eye and are practically imperceptible, but for this feature to be maintained during the weeks you are going to wear them it is important to clean and care for them properly, otherwise they could become deformed, stained or opaque. A positive point is that since they are removable they are easy to clean.

The ideal is to clean them daily and immediately after taking them off to prevent them from starting to stain, smell bad or even have a strange taste. The key is to clean them when we also brush our teeth, since this way we will place the aligners on clean teeth.

To clean them you should brush them with warm water and neutral soap with a soft bristle toothbrush at least once a day. Make sure that the water you use is lukewarm and not hot, since too hot water could deform them, this also includes not exposing them to any heat source.

Do not use toothpaste to clean them or soak them in mouthwash, as this can damage the material they are made of and may cause them to become more opaque and lose their transparency.

If you decide to use cleaning tablets, you should only soak the clear aligner for the time indicated in the instructions. The use of these tablets is an excellent cleaning supplement to use after brushing the aligners, and they also prevent bad odors.

Keep in mind that by cleaning your aligners well, you will be preventing bacteria from accumulating on their surface and, therefore, you will also be helping the health of your teeth and other structures in your mouth.
 

Proper storage
Whenever you are not wearing the aligners, for example when eating, store them in their case to prevent them from becoming deformed or misplaced.

Remember to also clean the aligner case regularly with soap and warm water. The case must be in good condition to properly protect your aligners, so be sure to always keep it handy for proper storage.

Do not wear clear aligners while eating

• Remove the aligners from your mouth before eating to reduce the amount of food trapped in them. After eating, brush your teeth and clean the aligners (preferably) before putting them back in.
• You should also remove them if you are going to drink beverages such as soft drinks, wine, coffee or tea, as they may stain them. Also, as mentioned above, heat can deform them, including hot beverages.
• Also, do not chew gum while wearing them, as it can get stuck in the aligners and you may not be able to remove it completely.

Do not smoke
In addition to affecting your health, smoking stains teeth and causes the clear aligner to acquire bad odors and discolorations.

Good oral hygiene

• Last but not least, you should maintain a proper dental hygiene routine whether you wear aligners or not, and you should brush your teeth thoroughly before putting them in.
• You should brush your teeth for 3 minutes when you get up, before going to bed and preferably after every meal. Remember that when you eat, food debris can get trapped between your teeth, increasing the likelihood of cavities and gum disease.
• And don't forget to floss, flossing is essential to keep teeth free of food, which in turn ensures healthy gums.
• Orthodontics with invisible aligners is a highly demanded treatment in the dental clinic of Dr. Aburas as it allows to obtain an aesthetic and functional smile while it is a system of easy maintenance that goes virtually unnoticed, so if you are interested in it we invite you to contact us and schedule a consultation in our dental clinic branches located in Jumeirah And DFC.