One of the most crucial aspects of Invisalign aligners to remember is that they must be cleaned.

Even though the aligners are supposed to be removed every few weeks, they must still be cleaned. Otherwise, you risk having to wear filthy aligners each day.

Continue reading to find out how to keep your aligners clean.

Cleaning vs. rinsing Invisalign aligners
When it comes to Invisalign, there is a huge difference between cleaning and rinsing. After rinsing, your aligners may appear cleaner, but this will not kill any bacteria.

The fundamental cleansing procedure stated on the Invisalign website for everyday cleaning:
- Every night, rinse your aligners with water.
- Brush your aligners with a toothbrush with soft bristles and gentle, clear liquid soap to remove any dirt or food particles that have accumulated throughout the day.
- After brushing, carefully rinse them.
- When not in use, store them in a protective case.

Cleaning accessories
Invisalign also produces a product called "Steraligner" that comes with a tray. Rubbing alcohol and sodium bicarbonate, a natural antibacterial, are among the ingredients.

Place your aligners in the container and soak them for 3 minutes in Steraligner to clean them. Then rinse off the sterilizing solution and brush the aligners with warm water.

Invisalign also offers "cleaning crystals," which dissolve in water and may be used to soak your aligners.

These crystals include washing agents such as sodium sulfate. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, this product's components are similar to those found in other products used to clean retainers (but not denture cleansers).

Is there any research on best cleaning practices?
The above-mentioned simple cleaning approach is typically sufficient to keep your aligners clean at night — but it is not always the complete solution.

For six weeks, scientists analyzed bacteria on invisible aligners that were replaced every two weeks, according to Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology.

They’ve studied three methods:
1. Rinsing with water.
2. Using effervescent tablets plus brushing.
2. Brushing the aligners alone with toothpaste and a toothbrush.

Researchers concluded that brushing and using effervescent tablets better cleaned the aligners. They also discovered that brushing with a toothbrush was less effective than effervescent tablets.

How often should you clean your aligners?
You should clean your aligners every night when brushing and flossing your teeth. This will remove any food, trash, and bacteria accumulated during the day.

You can also clean your Invisalign if they appear noticeably unclean, such as if you drank anything cloudy while wearing them or if you put them on too quickly after eating.

You should clean your aligners properly and rinse them every time you remove them.

Even if you replace your aligners every two weeks, they still require regular cleaning.

Failure to do so may result in discolored aligners (causing your teeth to appear yellow) or bad breath. Furthermore, you will constantly expose your teeth to microorganisms.

Any cleansers to avoid?
Some cleaners are simply too strong or dangerous for your Invisalign aligners to be used with. Here are several examples:
- toothpaste
- denture cleaners
- scented soaps may easily leave a bitter taste
- mouthwashes, especially those that contain alcohol

You should also avoid using cleansing soaps with colors (such as blue, red, or green soaps). These may quickly stain your Invisalign, resulting in a 2-week wearing period.

Using a hard-bristle rather than a soft-bristle toothbrush may be harmful to your Invisalign.

Best ways to care for your aligners
Practicing basic recommendations for aligner care can help keep them clean and germ-free. Here are a couple of them:
- When eating, always remove your aligners. Otherwise, food particles might accumulate in the aligners and cause them to become ineffective.
- While your aligners are in place, you should only consume water. You risk discoloring or ruining them otherwise.
- Avoid using really hot water to clean the trays.
- When you're not using your aligners, keep them in an airtight container. This decreases the possibility of losing them and protects them from bacteria.

These procedures help keep your aligners clean and your treatment as effective as possible.

Takeaway
Invisalign is a popular option for patients to straighten their teeth, but the aligners must be cleaned regularly to be successful.

By taking care of your aligners, you may keep them as clear and unnoticeable as possible. Consult your dentist for help in keeping your aligners clean. They can also propose various ways tailored to your individual dental needs for keeping your mouth and aligners clean.