These tips will help keep your Invisalign on track and your trays looking fresh!
Invisalign Guide
1. Try to wear your Invisalign trays at all times and remove them only for eating, drinking and regular oral care, including brushing and flossing. Optimal tooth movement with Invisalign requires you wear your aligners for a minimum of 22hrs/per day.
Daily care and maintenance of your Invisalign aligners
2. Clean your aligners at least once a day using a soft bristle toothbrush with water and a small amount of toothpaste. You may find it easiest to clean the outside of your aligners by brushing them while they are still on your teeth and then removing your aligners to clean the inside surfaces.
Aligner cases may be hand washed with soap and water. Do not use a dishwasher to clean your case or your aligners.
Keep aligners away from HOT water and harsh chemicals. Do NOT use denture cleaners to clean aligners, and do not soak them in mouthwash. These products can damage the surface of the aligner, causing them to become dull and more visible. You can use a specialized retainer cleaner from Polident (available in any pharmacy).
3. Always rinse your trays with water when you take them out- this helps prevent them from turning yellow. Lukewarm water should be used because hot and cold water can cause deformation.
4. Tobacco use, smoking or vaping while wearing aligners will lead to discoloration or damage.
5. Insert your new aligners after your last meal before bedtime. Having your new aligners in for the longest uninterrupted time can help move your teeth into the next position. With new trays, you may experience mild to moderate discomfort for the first 48 hours. You can use a mild pain reliever like Advil if needed.
6. To help avoid confusion, each aligner is engraved with your unique case number, a “U” for upper and an “L” for lower, followed by the stage number.
You may insert either the upper or lower aligner first. When inserting each aligner, gently push the aligners over your front teeth. Then apply equal pressure, using your fingertips, to the tops of your left and right molars (back teeth) until the aligner snaps into place.
Refrain from biting your aligners into position, as too much force could damage the aligner.
7. A part of adapting to wearing Invisalign is getting used to removing them from your mouth. While the vast majority of patients that have been wearing Invisalign for longer than 2 weeks find removing them very simple, for new Invisalign patients or patients with mixed dentition, it can take some getting used to.
The good news is that removing your Invisalign trays does become quick and easy. Try not to remove the aligners from all your teeth at once. Instead, try to start on the back teeth at one side and move your way around your mouth, easing them off one section at a time.
8. Sometimes, we may provide you with tray seaters called Chewies. Use your Chewies every day for 10-15 minutes. They will keep your aligners fitting correctly on your teeth. Chewies also help promote blood flow to help the roots of your teeth move as efficiently as possible. Chewies are especially important during the first 48 hours.\
Why are my Aligners Yellow?
Many things can stain your aligners or lead to your retainer turning yellow. For example, certain foods, such as dark-coloured berries or sugary chocolates, can lead to staining, as can dark beverages such as coffee, wine and tea.
Aligner stains can form even if you avoid these foods, just from the Saliva in your mouth. That’s why it’s important to rinse the trays with water every time they come out of your mouth.
Hydrogen peroxide for Heavy Stains
Another practical solution for removing discoloration is a mixture of 50 percent hydrogen peroxide and water. Including baking soda in the mix can help clean plaque and food particles from the aligners.
To make the solution, use half a cup of water, two teaspoons of baking soda and half a cup of hydrogen peroxide. It might take a few hours for the stains on the trays to come off completely, depending on the severity.
Vinegar for Light Stains
Vinegar can be used to clean Invisalign trays if the stain is minimal. To use, mix one-part vinegar with three parts of water. Allow the aligners to soak properly in the solution for approximately 20 minutes before proceeding to brush and rinse them with clear water.
Preventing the aligner trays from staining
Almost all aligner discoloration cases result from poor oral hygiene or drinking too many coloured beverages. It might be hard to clean a stained aligner fully; that is why it is better to prevent the stains from occurring in the first place. Remove the aligners before drinking anything other than water, and remember to rinse the mouth thoroughly to get rid of food leftovers before putting the aligners back in.
9. Lost or broken aligners: there is a $75 fee to replace lost or broken aligners. Please call the office immediately to inform us if you need a new set.
To prevent loss, use the hard cases we provided for temporary storage.
10. If your aligners stop fitting due to poor compliance, you may be charged a fee if a new set of impressions are required.
11. Always keep the most recently used aligners. If your current aligner is lost or broken, we may recommend that you temporarily go back one stage while a replacement is being made.
Is it OK to drink hot or cold beverages while wearing Invisalign aligners?
Except for cool or tepid water, we recommend you not drink while wearing the aligners. This is to avoid the formation of cavities, stains or warping of the aligners with hot drinks or hot water.
What if I lose or break an attachment?
If an attachment is lost or broken, please let us know and we can decide the best course of action. Most the time a single lost button is not a big concern and you can continue to wear your trays.
