I’ve been wearing Invisalign trays for about 3 months now, and I have gone through several different cleaning methods. Here are the techniques that worked for me and will work for you, too.
Before I go over cleaning techniques, I’ll give you an overview on what exactly Invisalign is. Invisalign is a way to straighten your teeth, invisibly, with a series of clear trays that fit onto your teeth. Trays are changed about every 2 weeks, until you reach a new smile. I’m wearing Invisalign for 5 months total. I will be done in the 2nd week of April this year. Can’t wait! If you are one of the many patients going through Invisalign treatment, this article may be of some use to you.
Your dentist has probably recommend that you buy the Invisalign cleaning kit, which if you have the money to buy it, go for it. For those of us who don’t want to spend that kind of money (about $70) on a cleaning kit, try these options out instead.
Efferdent (or other denture cleaner)
This is the technique I most often use, and seems to work the best. Although many dentists will tell you not to use denture cleaner because it can make your aligners look “cloudy”, I’ve had no problem with it. When I take my aligners out to eat breakfast in the morning, I soak them in denture cleaner, to make them fresh and clean for the day. Once they have soaked for at least 15-20 minutes, I take them out of the cleaner and brush them with my toothbrush to release any of the white buildup that may be left. Efferdent will not remove all of the buildup, it just kills the bacteria on your trays, making them clean and smell better. (Trays can really get a nasty smell if they are not clean!)
Dawn liquid dish soap
Soak the aligners in a solution of water and a few drops of Dawn. Before putting the trays back on your teeth, make sure you brush them with regular toothpaste to remove any of the soap.
Hydrogen Peroxide is known for its bacteria-killing power, that’s why we put it on cuts and open wounds to kill bacteria. Make a solution of half peroxide, half water. Place the trays into the solution, and let soak for at least 20 minutes. When you remove them, the trays should be fresh and clean. Peroxide has a similar effect on the trays as Efferdent and other denture cleaners, but Hydrogen Peroxide is much cheaper, at about 50 cents per bottle at the drugstore.
Listerine Whitening Mouthwash
I tried soaking my aligners in the blue Cool Mint Listerine, what a mistake! When I took them out of the mouthwash, my aligners were dyed blue and it took me a lot of brushing to get the blue off! I was worried I’d be wearing blue trays for the next 2 weeks. DO NOT soak your trays in colored mouthwash; instead use the Listerine Whitening mouthwash that is meant to whiten your teeth.
If you don’t want to use any of these techniques, make sure you do brush your teeth and aligners often. Yucky buildup is not attractive, and can really make your breath smell bad. Since wearing Invisalign will not allow saliva to normally flow to your teeth, you need to take extra care of your chompers while going through Invisalign treatment. Another idea to try that doesn’t involve the above cleaning methods is to soak your trays in a glass of plain water. Doing this will keep your trays moist. When the trays dry out, this allows the buildup to form.
Remember, your dentist may have you wear your last set of aligners as your retainer, perhaps for the rest of your life. Make sure you take care of your Invisalign investment, treat your teeth and aligners with care, and you should have no problem.
