How To Look After Your Invisalign Trays

A practical and healthy approach to caring for this teeth straightening system.

Invisalign orthodontics are growing in popularity. This is hardly surprising, given their near invisibility and the fact that they are made to be removed for eating and when cleaning your teeth.

This makes them a very practical and convenient teeth straightening solution and also offers a comfortable method as they are created from impressions that are taken of your own teeth.

In addition to the above, food is less likely to become trapped in the trays as they are removable, which not only allows you to clean your teeth effectively, but also means that the trays are easy to keep clean too. This is very important if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy whilst you receive your orthodontic treatment.

The basics of hygiene

We can’t state often enough, how important good basic oral hygiene is for our patients. This is no different when you are receiving treatment to have your teeth straightened. Invisalign trays make this much easier to do, and, as you can remove the trays, you can easily continue with your regular brushing and flossing regime.

As well as your teeth, you also need to make sure that you keep your trays clean. In today’s Cygnet Dental Practice blog, to assist our Wickford and Rayleigh patients, we take a look at how you can do this effectively.

Dining out

The golden rule, when wearing orthodontic trays, is not to trap food in them for any length of time. At home, this is less difficult, but if you are out for the day and have just eaten at lunchtime, it may be some time before you are able to clean your teeth and trays properly. Even so, you should attempt to clean them as best as you can, perhaps in the washroom of the restaurant.

Giving your mouth a good swilling around with clean water will at least remove some of the food pieces and bacteria from your mouth, and a good rinse of your trays will mean that they are reasonably clean when you return them to your mouth. If you do have the opportunity to clean your teeth and trays more fully, then please do take it. This method though, at least assures a reasonably good level of cleanliness.

Home cleaning

As bacteria will naturally collect on your teeth and gums, so they will on your Invisalign trays if you do not clean them well. Those who clean their teeth, but not their trays, may well notice some discolouration to them, and also possibly that they have started to smell a little. This is easy to avoid though. The best time to clean your Invisalign trays is at the same time that you brush your teeth. This will make it easier for you to remember and should mean that they are cleaned at least twice a day. To keep your regular toothbrush in good condition, we suggest that you have a second toothbrush specifically for your trays.

To clean the trays, brush them lightly but well, both inside and out using cold water. We recommend that you avoid warm water as this could potentially warp the plastic, rendering them ineffective. Once you have brushed them, make sure to rinse them really well before you return the tray to your teeth (you should, of course, have already brushed your teeth before you do this).

Storing your trays

Invisalign orthodontics are designed to be worn for at least 22 hours a day, only taking them out for cleaning and eating. There may be times though, when removing them for a period of time may be unavoidable. For example, if you have an important appointment and feel more comfortable with not wearing them in case other people notice, they may be away from your teeth for an hour or so. We do recommend avoiding this where possible though as this could slow down the progress of the treatment.

If you do have to remove them for any length of time, do make sure to store them in their container. If, for any reason, this is not available, a glass of cold or room temperature water is an acceptable substitute.

When you are home, you may also wish to place your trays in a diluted solution of antibacterial mouthwash. This will help to minimise any bacterial build up and keep them feeling and smelling fresher.

Damaged trays

As the trays are made from a medical grade transparent plastic, they are very strong. This does not mean that they can’t be damaged though if not cared for correctly, or if dropped onto a hard material. Whilst they are strong, if you do notice any damage to them at all, please get in touch with one of your Wickford dental team. Damaged trays could have a negative effect on your treatment. Cracks in the tray could also harbour potentially harmful bacteria too.

Keeping your teeth clean when using this system is relatively straightforward and most of our patients who have used it have said how comfortable they felt them to be, once they had become accustomed to the feel of them in their mouth.

If you have crooked or uneven teeth, and would like to find out more about our orthodontic treatments, please call the Cygnet Dental Practice today on 01268 733078.