Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is incredibly important not for them to look good, but also essential to avoid bacteria from causing bad breath, cavities, and gum inflammation. Even though each tray is worn for a short period (typically 10 days- 2 weeks), poor hygiene can compromise treatment success and your oral health.
Why Clean Invisalign Aligners?
Research has shown that aligners can act as reservoirs for germs and bacteria, especially when not properly cleaned (Jindal et al., 2019).
These bacteria can lead to spots forming on the teeth or gum inflammation if hygiene is neglected. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and Canadian Dental Association emphasize that keeping aligners clean is an essential component to straightening your teeth.
How to Clean Invisalign Aligners
- Rinse with cool or lukewarm water
Remove your aligners and rinse them to dislodge saliva and debris. Never use hot water, as it can warp the thermoplastic material - Leave in a Hydrogen peroxide or a combination of 1:1 white vinegar and water after you take them out in the morning
- After you take the out in the morning to eat breakfast and you rinse them, put them in a cup of hydrogen peroxide or a water: vinegar mix. Avoid soaking in mouthwash!!! these can discolour or degrade the aligners
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap- liquid dish soap
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle liquid soap (something like Dawn dish soap), brush your trays once a day. This method is endorsed by both the ADA and the AAO as an effective, safe approach that does not damage the material.
Things to avoid and DO NOT DO:
- Avoid toothpaste: There are materials in toothpaste(abrasives) that are rough and will scratch the plastic and create spaces that can easily trap bacteria (Charavet et al. 2021).
- Do not boil or sanitize with heat: Invisalign trays are plastic and will deform under heat. Stick to lukewarm water only.
- Chavaret et al. 2021 found that simply brushing your aligners daily was almost as effective at removing bacteria as using expensive cleaning tablets. In other words, you don’t need to buy expensive cleaners – diligent daily care with soap and water does the job for most people.
Final Thoughts
Clean trays = clean teeth. Invisalign aligners work best when they’re kept fresh and hygienic. By brushing gently, soaking occasionally, and storing them properly, you can protect your teeth, avoid bad breath, and keep your aligners as invisible as intended.
If you’re a patient in Toronto’s St. Clair West area and considering Invisalign, we’d be happy to guide you through the process — including how to care for your trays every step of the way.
Contact us or book an appointment online.
References:
Alshatti, L. A., & AlSanea, J. A. (2020). Comparative evaluation of different cleaning methods for clear orthodontic aligners.
