If you want to prevent stained clear aligners, taking care of them is a must. Learning how to clean clear aligners properly will keep your clear aligners looking brand new — but what’s the best method to use?
Regular cleaning helps maintain your clear aligners, but it’s important to remember that some products and methods could damage them. Dr. Lu and your team at First Impression Orthodontics are here to help you learn how to clean clear aligners correctly, prevent stains, and remove buildup for a clearly beautiful smile.
Here are some of our best practices for cleaning clear aligners:
TLDR: Cleaning Clear Aligners: Do’s and Don’ts
- The best way to clean your clear aligners is by brushing daily with antibacterial soap, and soaking them weekly in a cleaning solution.
- To remove stains and buildup, you can use Invisalign™ Cleaning Crystals, which work on any type of clear aligners, or homemade solutions, including vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners; never use hot water, and don’t leave your aligners on the counter when cleaning. Your clear aligners case is your sidekick!
- If you’re looking for a clear aligners orthodontist near you, book a complimentary consultation with Dr. Lu, your orthodontist in Alexandria!
Clear Aligners Daily Cleaning Tips
Let’s get right into it! Here’s how to clean your clear aligners daily:
- Each time you remove your clear aligners, rinse them out with lukewarm water. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush (not your primary toothbrush) and clear, unscented, antibacterial soap to gently scrub your aligners, getting into every nook and cranny.
- After brushing, thoroughly rinse with lukewarm water (never hot water!) to wash away any debris or leftover soap.
- When you’re not wearing your clear aligners, be sure to keep them in your case! Clean your clear aligners case once or twice a week with antibacterial soap as well.
Clear Aligners Deep Cleaning Tips
Besides daily cleaning, it’s best to deep clean your aligners each week. Before deep cleaning your clear aligners, first brush and rinse them to get rid of any loose debris. Then, you’ll soak your aligners for 15-30 minutes, depending on your chosen cleaning solution.
There are several different solutions you can use, both store-bought and homemade, including:
- Invisalign™ Cleaning Crystals: You can use these cleaning crystals with your clear aligners once a week as an easy way to get a good, thorough soak and clean the ins and outs of your aligners. Simply dissolve the crystals in lukewarm water and soak your aligners in the solution for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly when you’re done, and pop them back in your mouth!
- Vinegar: To clean with vinegar, mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and lukewarm water to create your soaking solution. Leave your aligners to soak for 15-30 minutes. (The vinegar might leave your aligners with a residual vinegary taste, so rinse thoroughly with water after soaking.)
- Hydrogen Peroxide: You can also use hydrogen peroxide for; Create a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide and one part lukewarm water to soak your clear aligners for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse them thoroughly after.
- Baking Soda: Just like Invisalign, you can clean your clear aligners with baking soda too. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with half a cup of lukewarm water until the baking soda dissolves completely. Soak your retainers for 15-30 minutes, then gently rinse and brush them before wearing them again. Be extra careful not to scrub hard — this can scratch your aligners! If you regularly soak your aligners, there should be no need to use abrasive pastes and soaps to clean them.
Deep cleaning your clear aligners will prevent them from staining, smelling bad, and accumulating buildup. But what if you already have one of these problems?
Removing Clear Aligner Stains and Buildup
Before you attack stains and buildup with harsh scrubbing and abrasive cleaners, try the soaking methods outlined above. You might have to soak your aligners several times to get the hardened plaque out. Brush them gently between each soaking to loosen up the buildup and stains.
Carefully clean your clear aligners with baking soda (the process we outlined above) is a good option for removing buildup. Remember, don’t scrub too much!
Fortunately, you’ll only be wearing each set of aligners for 1 to 2 weeks (depending on your personalized treatment plan), so you’ll be wearing a fresh, clean set in no time. If you follow our daily cleaning tips with a soak once or twice a week, you should be able to avoid them from staining or yellowing.
If you’re having trouble with stained or dirty trays, be sure to ask your orthodontist (Dr. Lu) for advice on how to clean clear aligner stains and buildup. We’re here to help you take care of your smile while you create your beautiful new smile!
The Don’ts: What to Avoid When Cleaning Clear Aligners
All in all, cleaning clear aligner trays is just as easy as cleaning Invisalign Trays. Cleaning regularly and thoroughly is the best way to care for them, but you have to be careful not to damage them in the process. Not all cleaning methods and products are safe for aligners.
Here are a few things to avoid when cleaning clear aligners:
- Don’t use hot water: NEVER use hot water to clean your trays – it can warp and shrink them, and they won’t fit anymore!
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners: Some soaps, toothpastes, and retainer cleaners are too harsh and abrasive for cleaning clear aligners. If you’re not sure about a product, ask your orthodontist if it’s okay to use.
- Don’t use hard-bristled toothbrushes: Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush (not your primary toothbrush) to clean your aligners. Hard bristled toothbrushes can scratch your aligners, and using separate toothbrushes helps minimize bacteria and prevent your primary toothbrush from wearing down quickly.
- Don’t eat or drink with your aligners in: This can cause your aligners to yellow, stain, deform, grow bacteria, and become ineffective. Always take them out before eating and drinking anything but water!
- Don’t leave aligners on the counter: If you’re not wearing your aligners, keep them in your protective clear aligner case. Even if it’s just a short period, leaving your aligners on the bathroom counter or somewhere else outside of their case exposes them to bacteria and could lead to them getting dropped, broken, lost — or end up in your dog’s mouth!
Book a complimentary consultation with an experienced family orthodontist near you!
Are you looking for a top family orthodontist near you? We would love to meet you at First Impression Orthodontics!
We are your expert orthodontist in Alexandria, VA, here to give your smile VIP level care with a truly personalized approach. Book a complimentary consultation today, and let’s create your stunning new smile.
