Clear aligners are a convenient and discreet way to straighten your teeth, but keeping them clean and in good condition is an important part of treatment. Proper aligner care can help keep your trays clear, comfortable, and effective while supporting good oral hygiene throughout your treatment.
Whether you're just getting started with clear aligners or you've been wearing them for a while, a few simple habits can help you get the most out of your treatment.
Getting Started With Clear Aligners
Clear aligner treatment uses a series of custom-made trays that gradually guide your teeth into their planned positions. You'll typically wear each set of aligners according to your dentist's instructions before progressing to the next set.
Before beginning treatment, your dentist will explain how long to wear your aligners each day, when to change to a new set, and how to care for them. Following these instructions closely is important for keeping your treatment on track.
Most patients are instructed to wear their aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them primarily for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene.
Take Your Aligners Out When Eating
One of the most important rules of clear aligner care is to remove your aligners before eating. Eating while wearing your aligners can trap food particles against your teeth and potentially stain or damage the trays. Hard or sticky foods may also damage the aligners.
When you're finished eating, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth before putting your aligners back in. This helps prevent food debris from becoming trapped between your teeth and aligners.
Stick to Water While Wearing Your Aligners
Water is generally the best beverage to drink while your aligners are in. Remove your aligners before drinking beverages such as:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Juice
- Sports drinks
- Wine
- Other colored or sugary beverages
These drinks can stain your aligners and may allow sugar and acids to become trapped against your teeth.
If you accidentally drink something other than water while wearing your aligners, rinse your mouth and aligners with water as soon as possible.
Clean Your Aligners Every Day
Your clear aligners should be cleaned regularly to help prevent buildup of bacteria, plaque, and odors. When you remove your aligners, rinse them with lukewarm water. You can gently brush them using a soft toothbrush and a cleaning method recommended by your dental team.
Avoid using hot or boiling water. High temperatures can potentially distort the plastic and affect how the aligners fit. Your dentist may also recommend a specific aligner-cleaning solution or product. Follow their instructions for how often and how thoroughly to clean your trays.
Keep Your Teeth Clean, Too
Caring for your aligners is only half of the equation. Your teeth and gums also need extra attention while you're undergoing clear aligner treatment. Continue brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily. Ideally, brush or thoroughly rinse your mouth before putting your aligners back in after meals.
Keeping your teeth clean helps reduce the risk of cavities, bad breath, and gum problems while your teeth are being moved.
Store Your Aligners Safely
Whenever your aligners aren't in your mouth, place them in their protective case. Avoid leaving them on countertops, wrapped in a napkin, or in places where they could easily be lost or accidentally thrown away. Pets may also find clear aligners surprisingly tempting to chew on! Keeping your case with you can make it easier to safely store your aligners whenever you eat or drink.
What Should You Avoid?
A few simple precautions can help protect your aligners from damage.
Avoid:
- Eating while wearing your aligners
- Drinking hot liquids while wearing your aligners
- Using hot water to clean them
- Scrubbing them with abrasive products
- Leaving them exposed when they're not being worn
- Placing them in a pocket, purse, or bag without their case
- Chewing on your aligners
- Using harsh cleaning products unless specifically recommended by your dentist
If an aligner becomes cracked, warped, or damaged, don't simply stop wearing it or move ahead to the next tray without contacting your dental team.
What If You Lose an Aligner?
Even with careful handling, aligners can occasionally be misplaced. If you lose or damage an aligner, contact your dentist as soon as possible. Your dental team can tell you whether you should continue wearing your previous aligner, move to the next one, or take another step based on where you are in your treatment plan.
Avoid making changes to your aligner schedule on your own, as doing so could affect your treatment progress.
Keep Your Clear Aligner Treatment on Track with Pearl Dentistry
Taking care of your clear aligners is relatively simple, but consistency matters. Wear them for the recommended amount of time, remove them when eating, drink water while wearing them, clean them regularly, and store them safely when they're not in your mouth.
At Pearl Dentistry, we're here to help you feel confident throughout your clear aligner treatment. From your initial consultation to your final results, our team can answer your questions and provide personalized guidance on caring for your aligners and maintaining your oral health.
Contact Pearl Dentistry today to learn more about clear aligners or schedule a consultation to find out if they're right for your smile.
