For many people, one of the most significant benefits of clear aligners is that they have minimal impact on your daily life. True to their name, clear aligners are made of a transparent synthetic material that makes them nearly invisible on your teeth.
Caring For Your Clear Aligners
Since clear aligners are removable, you can keep eating your favorite foods throughout treatment. That said, clear aligners can stain easily, so you must commit to caring for them properly if you want them to continue looking great and doing their job well.
For that, you must change your daily routine, but they don’t have to be a burden as small habits can improve your oral hygiene.
How To Clean Clear Aligners Properly?
Clear aligners scratch and stain easily, so it is important to know how to clean them without harming them.
- The best method is to soak your aligners in lukewarm water, unscented hand soap, or a clear aligner cleaning solution.
- Soak them for about 20 minutes daily to remove any built-up plaque or debris. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove any remaining particles and rinse them before attaching them into place over your teeth.
- Using lukewarm water is incredibly important because hot water can tilt the shape of your aligners, preventing them from fitting your teeth correctly.
- You should also avoid scrubbing the aligners too hard, which can scratch them. Eventually, cleaning your aligners properly ensures they smell fresh and continue looking invisible on your teeth throughout treatment.
Maintaining Aligners In Your Oral Hygiene Routine
- Your clear aligners must be cleaned before you put them in at the beginning of every day, then rinsed with water when you take them out at night to brush your teeth.
- The best way to clean your aligners is to work it into your daily routine.
soak your aligners before you eat breakfast or start getting ready in the morning. - When you floss and brush your teeth, take a few extra minutes to clean your aligners.
- Rinse them when you take them out to brush your teeth at night. This saves time and makes it easier to create a routine.
Store Your Aligners In An Airtight Case
- When you’re not wearing your aligners, storing them in an airtight case keeps them away from bacteria.
- Protects them from overly curious pets who might think they’ve found a new toy.
- Having a designated case for your aligners also makes it harder to lose them.
That is how, with small, simple steps, your aligners would be protected.
Adjust Your Eating Habits
- Clear aligners allow you to eat all of your favorite foods throughout the treatment process because you can take them out before you eat.
- Remove them before eating, and brush your teeth after you eat, even if you’re having a small snack.
- Carry a toothbrush and toothpaste around with you.
- Keeping a set at work can help make this more feasible.
Replace Your Aligners When It Becomes Necessary.
Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll probably need to replace your aligners every one or two weeks. But how do you tell if your aligner needs to be replaced before this?
- When your clear aligner has become distorted.
- Not fitting the way it’s supposed to.
- Uncomfortable against your gums.
- If an aligner is severely scratched or stained and no longer looks straightforward, you must replace it.
Final Thought
Integrating these extra steps into your daily routine is pretty simple. Hence, this helps the aligners do their job better, allowing you to maintain and even build confidence in your smile throughout your treatment!
If you’d like to learn more about clear aligners, consult our skilled orthodontists at Brenham Family Dental Clinic any time.
For further guidelines, visit and contact us at Brenham Family Dental or call us at (979) 421-9685.