Can Clear Aligners Be Cleaned with Toothpaste? How to Clean Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners (Invisalign) should be worn at least 22 hours a day during orthodontic treatment. Over this long period, bacteria and food debris can build up on the aligners. For this reason, clear aligners should be cleaned regularly and correctly.
Clear aligners should be cleaned with a brush and plenty of water. Because clear aligners are removed for only 2–4 hours a day, cleaning them is relatively easy compared with traditional braces.
What You Need to Know About Cleaning Clear Aligners
For cleaning clear aligners, the teeth need to be brushed first, and the aligner is put back in afterwards.
After the aligner is removed from the mouth, a soft-bristled brush and water alone are enough to clean it.
Toothpaste should not be used when cleaning clear aligners. The abrasive substances in toothpaste can cause microscopic damage to the clear aligners used in Invisalign treatment.
After being removed from the mouth, the aligner should not be left out in the open; it must always be placed in its protective case. Aligners left uncovered are exposed to bacteria.
An aligner taken out of its protective case must always be rinsed with water before it is put back in.
Saliva production is lower at night than during the day. This leads to an increase in bacteria in the mouth. To clean the bacteria that build up on the aligners and teeth in the morning, the aligners should be brushed without toothpaste, and the teeth should be brushed with toothpaste after flossing.
What Should Clear Aligners Not Be Cleaned With?
The following products must never be used when cleaning clear aligners:
- Hard-bristled toothbrushes
- Denture cleaners
- Alcohol-containing mouthwashes
- Strong, heavily foaming and scented soaps
- Toothpastes
These products can cause staining, surface deterioration and structural damage to clear aligners. Although clear aligners are generally replaced with a new set every 15 days, it is very important that they are not damaged during cleaning.
How Often Should Clear Aligners Be Cleaned?
Clear aligners must be cleaned every day. They should be rinsed with water at least 2 times a day and brushed with a soft-bristled brush.
Can Clear Aligners Be Washed with Liquid Soap?
During Invisalign treatment, water and a soft-bristled brush are generally enough to clean the aligners. In very rare cases, a low-foaming liquid soap may be used. It is recommended that you always consult your dentist before using soap.
Why Do Clear Aligners Smell?
Aligner odor is generally caused by insufficient oral hygiene and a build-up of bacteria. Oral and dental health problems or stomach disorders can also cause bad breath. With regular cleaning and proper care, this problem can be largely prevented.