What you will need:
1. Soft toothbrush
2. Water
3. The listed ingredients below
1. Water and. . .WHITE VINEGAR.
Fill a mug a little more than half way with lukewarm water then pour in a tablespoon of white vinegar
into the mug. Leave your aligners to soak in the mixture for at least 15-20 minutes and brush your
aligners with mixture when finished, ensure you rinse out the aligners as any residue of vinegar would
be far from a pleasant taste in your mouth.
2. Water and. . .SOAP. (On-the-go method)
So what type of soap you use is crucial. You don’t want to use a colored soap or a scented one. As this
will damage and erode the surface of your aligner – or worse: stain them. Opt for antibacterial soap that
specializes in sensitive skin and is clear. Squeeze one pump of soap into a mug of water and let your
aligners soak for 20 – 30 minutes then brush your aligners with the liquid and rinse well. We recommend you bring an empty water bottle to use as a make-shift mug to soak your aligners in.
3. Water and. . . RETAINER / DENTURE CLEANER. (On-the-go method)
Of course retainer cleaner is ideal for cleaning your aligners as they are basically sisters! (Denture
cleaner can work also.) Mix the tablet or liquid with the water and let them soak for the stated time on
the package directions. Use that trusty soft toothbrush to clean first and then let the soaking
commence. Brush and rinse the aligners and put them back in.
A variety of brands can be found online:
Retainer Brite
Polident Antibacterial Denture Cleaner
Efferdent Antibacterial Denture Cleanser
Invisalign Cleaning System
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
4. Water and . . .BAKING SODA. (Stay-at-home method)
Not just a cookie ingredient – use this everyday household product to clean your aligners. It’s best to use this cleaning solution when you are eating your dinner and maybe while doing the washing up as it will do your aligners a world of good if you leave them in this mixture for an hour. Use about a tablespoon of baking soda and a half mug of water and leave them soak for the hour. Give the aligners a good rinse & brush after before putting them back in.
5. Water and. . .PEROXIDE. (Stay-at-home method)
It is not as intense and scary as it sounds. Hydrogen peroxide is actually what is used to whiten teeth,
you can purchase peroxide in any pharmacy. Pour a half mug of water and the other half with the
peroxide. Leave your aligners to soak for at least 30 minutes, when you take them out give your aligners
a good brushing with your toothbrush and rinse well with water after.
Simple DO’s & DONT’S to remember when cleaning and caring for your aligners:
DO
• Rinse Every Time: Any time you take your aligners out of your mouth, rinse them thoroughly
under running water. This will rinse away bacteria, saliva, and food particles.
• Soak Regularly: Invisalign offers specialized cleaning crystals to soak your aligners in regularly.
• Clean Your Teeth: Proper care isn’t just about clean aligners – your teeth need to stay clean, too!
Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent buildup of plaque and bacteria under
the aligners.
• Use Clear, Anti-Bacterial Soft Soap: This is a great way to keep your aligners free of bacteria and
plaque.
• Brush Carefully: Ideally, you want to brush them every time you take them out or put them back
in – but be careful, as overzealous brushing can leave visible marks and scratches.
DON’T
• Eat or Drink Other Than Water: Foods and colored drinks can stain your aligners and leave an
unpleasant smell, so stick with water while you’re wearing them.
• Use Toothpaste: Toothpaste is great for your teeth, but it can harm your aligners. When you
brush them, do so gently and without paste.
• Use Scented or Colored Soap: Using anything but clear soap with aligners can cause them to
stain.
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