Tips to take care of your Clear Aligners

One of the best ways to maintain a good smile and straight teeth is using clear aligners. In addition to being a great modern alternative to traditional braces, clear aligners are advanced forms of customized orthodontic appliances used to treat teeth and jaw irregularities. However, ‘how to keep aligners clean’ is one of the most asked questions by anyone who opts for treatment with clear aligners. Read on below to find out how to keep aligners clean and well-maintained for a beautiful smile.

Rinse Your Aligners Whenever You Remove Them:

Since you have to remove clear aligners whenever you eat or drink anything except water, you must rinse them immediately. This will ensure that the aligners are free of any bacteria, thereby keeping your mouth and teeth healthier when you wear them the next time. 

Use regular running Water to Clean Your Aligners:

When determining how to keep aligners clean, using regular running water is the best way. Since clear aligners are made of a particular type of plastic, they can expand and contract if exposed to extreme temperatures. Therefore, using regular tap water can help clean it efficiently. 

Avoid the Use of Toothpaste on the Aligners:

Orthodontists and dentists always advise us on how to keep aligners clean, and the first thing they say is to avoid using toothpaste on your aligners since it can be abrasive and can damage the clear aligners. Use aligner cleaning solutions specially made for the purpose of the same (one such is available with Flash Aligners as “Flash Foam”.

Avoid Consuming Coloured Drinks:

An important tip on how to keep aligners clean is to avoid the consumption of coloured drinks, like sodas, juices, coloured water, etc. This is because such drinks can easily stain the clear aligners and guides bonded onto your teeth, thereby affecting your smile.

Always Brush Your Aligners When You Brush Your Teeth:

Another thing to remember is to brush your clear aligners (without using toothpaste) with clear, anti-bacterial liquid soap and regular water, whenever you brush and floss your teeth. This will help to prevent the build-up of bacteria and plaque. Keep a separate set of toothbrushes for cleaning teeth and aligners.

Avoid Leaving Your Aligner Trays in the Open:

Another way to determine how to keep aligners clean is by ensuring that you do not leave the aligner trays out in the open. It is better to keep them in the aligner case to keep it safe and avoid any bacteria build-up 

Soak Your Aligners Every Day:

Soaking your clear aligners daily can keep them hygienic and free of odour. It is also a great way of keeping aligners clean. All you need to do is soak them for fifteen minutes in a cup of lukewarm water. Aligners are incredibly convenient and easy to wear. However, when thinking of how to keep aligners clean, it is essential to remember the above-mentioned tips so that your aligners remain as good as new and maintain your smile for a long time.

The longevity of your aligners also depends on the quality so make sure to go for an assured brand like Flash Aligners. Flash Orthodontics uses aligners made with the technology of TRIOS Intraoral Scanners, thus ensuring longevity and favourable treatment outcomes.