A lot of people who start Invisalign are shocked by how easily their aligners get stained. You start off with trays that are as clear as glass, but after a few weeks, or even sooner, you notice they’re starting to get a bit hazy or they’ve developed a colour that wasn’t there before. It can be a real pain, especially when one of the main reasons you chose Invisalign in the first place was because the trays are so easy to hide in your mouth. If you’re here in Parkland and have been trying to figure out how to keep your stained Invisalign looking their best, we’ve got some safe and useful tips to help you get your trays looking brand new again, and keep them that way going forward. Early orthodontic treatment identifies bite or spacing issues before they become more complex. By starting early, we can guide jaw growth and create space for permanent teeth. Early treatment promotes a healthy, balanced smile that lasts.
Before we dive into the how-to of cleaning your stained Invisalign, it’s good to know what causes stains in the first place. It usually comes down to a combination of things, like drinking coffee or tea, or not rinsing your aligners properly after taking them out, or re-fitting them without properly cleaning your teeth first. And even if it’s just a tiny bit of residue that’s building up, it can cause discoloration that gets harder and harder to fix the longer it sticks around. That’s why our team at Marrecau Orthodontics always makes a point of talking to our patients about this sort of thing right from the start, it’s always easier to nip problems in the bud before they become a bigger issue. Adult orthodontic treatment helps improve both oral health and appearance with subtle solutions like Invisalign and clear braces. Many adults choose treatment to gain confidence and a healthier smile that fits their lifestyle.
So, what’s the best way to tackle those pesky stains? Fortunately, there are a few safe and effective ways to clean up the plastic of your aligners. One of the simplest options is a diluted hydrogen peroxide soak. All you need to do is mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and warm water, pop your trays in for 15 to 30 minutes, and then give them a good rinse with cool water before re-fitting them in your mouth.
Invisalign also has its own cleaning system, developed specifically for use with their aligners. This entails a special cleaning solution made up of dissolvable crystals that you can soak your trays in. This is a totally safe option because it was designed to work with the material of the aligners, and won’t do any harm to them in the process. It’s also another one of these things that lots of people find super easy to fit into their daily routine.
Clear retainer cleaning tablets are another option for keeping your aligners in good nick. They work much the same way as the Invisalign system, they just dissolve in water to create a solution that helps get rid of all the yucky buildup and light stains. Just be sure to choose a brand that’s safe for use on transparent plastic dental appliances, and that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals.
On the other hand, there are a couple of things you should definitely avoid using to clean your aligners, like toothpaste and some types of mouthwash. Toothpaste will generally have abrasive compounds that are designed to help remove stains from your teeth, but which can end up leaving behind scratches on the plastic of your aligners. And mouthwash with colouring in it? Just don’t bother, it could actually make the stains worse, rather than helping to get rid of them.
So what’s the best way to keep your aligners looking their best? Simple, just brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and a tiny bit of clear, unscented dish soap each and every day. And don’t forget to rinse them with cool water each time you take them out. It’s a habit that only takes a few seconds, but it’ll make all the difference in the long run.
At Marrecau Orthodontics in Parkland, we’re always happy to have patients come to us for help with the everyday tasks that come with Invisalign treatment. And we’re more than happy to help out if you’ve got any questions about cleaning your stained Invisalign. We’re always here to lend a hand.