Clear aligners: 5 Maintenance Tips

Clear aligners are a popular alternative to traditional braces because of their ease of use, aesthetics, and great results. For the majority of patients, the clear design makes the aligners nearly unnoticeable while they are worn. You can obtain the beautiful, straight teeth you want with transparent aligners, and you won’t have to be self-conscious about your appearance while you’re undergoing treatment.

Today’s clear aligner systems that we use at Bombay Dental Specialties are made with innovative technology to minimize treatment periods, allowing our patients to experience their results even faster than with traditional braces. Of course, if you want to continue reaping the benefits, you must follow a few simple actions to keep your aligners in good condition.

5 Tips To Maintenance Clear Aligners

Keep Them Clean

Clean your aligners on a regular basis. Every time you brush your teeth, you can clean them too, help them maintain their clear finish, and remove plaque and germs that can cause foul breath. The good news is that cleaning them is straightforward. A soft-bristled toothbrush and non-whitening toothpaste are all you need. Brush the aligners gently, inside and out, making sure to reach every surface while they are out of your mouth. When you’re finished, thoroughly rinse them with cool or lukewarm water, and they’ll be ready to wear. Regular, twice-daily washing removes bacteria that create cavities, so don’t overlook this crucial care tip.

Remove them when you eat

Food is a primary cause of tooth stains, and it can also stain your aligners. Furthermore, your aligners aren’t built to tolerate chewing forces. If you wear them while eating, you risk damaging their shape and making them less efficient at straightening your teeth. You can also scrape and discolor them, making them far more obvious while you’re wearing them. Always remove your aligners before you begin eating. In addition, if you consume anything with a dark pigment, such as coffee, tea, or some dark fruit drinks, you should remove your aligners to avoid staining them.

Rinse them on a regular basis

When you remove your aligners for meals, it’s a good time to give them a short rinse. Run them under cool running water or spritz them with a water bottle to remove plaque and bacteria and give them a basic clean. It’s also critical to thoroughly rinse your mouth after eating to avoid trapping food particles between your teeth and the aligners. Food particles trapped in the aligner material might increase the risk of cavities and be visible through the aligner material, detracting from your lovely smile.

You can also read: Clear Aligners Treatment: How Long Do Aligners Take to Work

Keep Them Safe

You must wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day for them to be successful. When you do take them out for meals and snacks, you must protect them. Sure, it’s tempting to slip them into your pocket or purse. However, this means they can be damaged, bent, or scratched, none of which is desirable. Carry the case with you at all times, and you’ll always have a safe place to store your aligners when they’re not in use.

Keep them away from the heat

Your aligners may be made of best-grade, biocompatible plastic, but that doesn’t make them heat-resistant. Your aligners, like “regular” plastic, can warp if exposed to high temperatures, such as if you leave them on the dashboard of your car when you go to a restaurant. When not in use, keep your aligners in their case and store them in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.

When you have an alignment problem, just contact us

Accidents happen all the time, and if you accidentally break your aligners, it’s not the end of the world. Bombay Dental Specialties wants your teeth-straightening experience to be as painless as possible. Simply give us a call, and we’ll determine the best solution for you. And if you have any further questions or concerns regarding your treatment, or if you’d like to learn more about which clear aligner system is best for helping you achieve beautiful, straight teeth, schedule an appointment online today.