How To Clean Stained Invisalign Trays

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment in which you are required to wear clear and custom-made removable braces to gradually straighten your teeth. Invisalign trays are made of a clear material so no one really knows if you are wearing them.

However, your Invisalign tray might start to show stains or may turn yellow if you don’t follow the right cleaning practices. 

Even though Invisalign aligners or trays are meant to be changed every few weeks, cleaning them is a crucial practice.

This guide will help you prevent your Invisalign trays from getting stained and will also allow you to maintain the best oral hygiene which will give you a radiant smile. 

Cleaning Invisalign trays

Cleaning your Invisalign trays is not a very complex process but is indeed very essential. Dirty aligners can cause bacteria to build up which can cause tooth decay. That was not a part of your plan, right? 

Let us tell you how to clean your Invisalign trays for the best results 

Dirty Invisalign trays can cause tooth decay. Here are five ways to clean your aligner trays:

Invisalign Crystals

This is the best way to clean your Invisalign trays without damaging them. Just take a container with warm water and add a packet of Invisalign crystals to it. Dissolve the crystals and soak your trays in the solution for 15 minutes. Take them out and softly brush them before rinsing them. 

Hydrogen Peroxide Solution 

You can make a cleaning solution by mixing water and 50 % hydrogen peroxide. This low concentration solution is the ideal stain remover for your aligner trays. Just soak your Invisalign trays for 30 minutes and brush them lightly to remove any remaining plaque. Rinse them with cold water and feel free to wear them.

Antibacterial Soap 

A solution of antibacterial soap and water is great for cleaning your aligner trays. As long as you are using clear, unscented and colorless antibacterial soap, everything should be fine.

Colored soaps can stain your clear trays. You can soak your trays in this mixture and then rinse them well before using them. 

Distilled White Vinegar

A 3:1 water and distilled white vinegar solution can be used to loosen any gunk or plaque from the aligner trays. You just need to let the trays soak for 15 minutes. After they are soaked, you can gently brush them with a soft toothbrush. Rinse and wear. 

Baking Soda

Just mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Put your Invisalign trays in this solution for 30 minutes and take them out. You can use a light toothbrush to remove any loosened plaque. This solution is great for getting rid of any leftover food particles. Rinse your trays with cool water before wearing them. 

Practices to Follow to Keep Your Invisalign from Getting Stained or Dirty

Follow An Oral Hygiene Routine

To get the best results with Invisalign, it is recommended to wear them at night. It is also true that bacteria work on your teeth and aligners when you are sleeping. This is why in order to totally get rid of these bacteria, you need to follow regular morning oral hygiene. 

Remove your aligners in the morning and softly brush them after you have brushed your teeth. Poor oral hygiene also causes your teeth and Invisalign trays to get stained. For the best results, do this again before you go to bed.

Remember To Rinse Your Aligner Trays

It is not practical to keep wearing your aligner trays all the time. You have to remove them every time you eat and drink. Since you have to remove them several times, it is best to rinse them once before wearing them again. 

Rinsing the aligners will ensure that plaque build-up is minimized. If you can, brush your teeth or rinse before wearing the Invisalign trays again. 

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