It’s important to keep clear aligners (invisible braces) clean in order to maintain optimal oral health. If you have clear aligners, you will know that they are a very convenient form of orthodontic treatment. They can be removed for eating and cleaning, and are typically very comfortable to wear. Throughout the course of your treatment, it is important that you clean your aligners regularly. Without proper cleaning, aligners can become stained and smelly, and could even affect your oral health. Read on to find out how to keep your aligners in good condition… How to clean clear aligners In order to keep your aligners clean, it is important that you wash them every night before you go to bed. First, rinse them with some water and then brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can use a gentle liquid soap, which can be helpful in removing leftover food debris that may have accumulated throughout the course of the day. After you have brushed your aligners, you can rinse them with water again. If you prefer, you can clean your aligners with specially formulated cleaning products. These products include sterilising solutions and cleaning crystals that are designed to thoroughly clean your aligners. Examples of this are Polident tablets or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar for 10 minutes. As well as cleaning your aligners on a nightly basis, it is also important that you rinse them every time you remove them from your mouth. You can also clean them whenever they look dirty or discoloured in any way. What happens if you don’t clean your aligners? If you don’t clean and rinse your aligners on a regular basis, they can become discoloured over time. If your aligners are stained or discoloured, your teeth may appear discoloured during your orthodontic treatment. Dirty Invisalign aligners can also cause bad breath and can increase your risk of tooth decay as the teeth are exposed to an accumulation of bacteria. Clean aligners are key in maintaining optimal oral health while you straighten your teeth. How else can you take care of your aligners? When you clean your aligners, do not use very hot water. Instead, you should clean and rinse your aligners with lukewarm water, as hot water can cause the plastic to warp. It is important that you remove your aligners from your mouth every time you eat. Failure to remove your aligners during meals and snacks can cause food particles to build up in the aligners, which may damage them over time. With the exception of water, you should not drink anything while you are wearing your aligners. Dark-coloured beverages like cola, juices, and coffee can cause stains to form on your aligners. Whenever you are not wearing your Invisalign aligners, try and remember to store them in an airtight container. This will help to keep them safe and clean. How can we help? At Hyde Park Dental, we offer conventional fixed braces with tooth coloured bonded brackets using Quick Straight Teeth to adjust the front 6-8 teeth with a treatment time of usually 6-12 weeks. Also, clear aligner (invisible braces) systems such as Invisalign, Smilestyler, and SureSmile. To find out more about the orthodontic treatments that we offer, please have a look here. If you would like to make an appointment to see us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.