The invention of plastic Invisalign retainers has taken the world by storm due to the pain-free and gentle procedure of getting perfectly straight teeth. However, since Invisalign retainers stay in our mouths for a significant part of the day, it’s quite important to keep them clean and free of germs. Read on to find out how you can get your retainers squeaky clean!
To clean your Invisalign retainers, dentists approve of several professional ways including using cleaning crystals or retainer brite. If you want to delve into affordable options, you can always achieve the desired effect via vinegar, baking soda, salt water, or even a soap-dipped toothbrush.
To own clean and bacteria-free Invisalign, it’s essential to use effective cleaning solutions along with the proper method. Since retainers are fairly delicate, you need to handle them with care during their cleaning process in order to avoid snapping them in half or clouding them with scratches.
Can You Use Cleaning Crystals To Clean Invisalign?
I want to use the safest and most effective cleaning method to make sure I don’t use grimy retainers all day. I’ve often seen advertisements for cleaning crystals that claim to perfectly clean Invisalign retainers. It made me wonder, are these crystals as effective as claimed?
Yes, the Invisalign brand has developed its cleaning crystals that guarantee germ-free, squeaky clean retainers after every use. Whether you’re looking to get rid of some nasty plaque on your Invisalign or eliminate the chances of any bacteria growth, cleaning crystals are your ideal solution.
How To Use Cleaning Crystals To Clean Invisalign?
Since cleaning crystals are made specifically to care for Invisalign, the steps are quite simple and carry no health hazards.
Step 1: Start off by rinsing your dirty retainers under warm water.
Step 2: Next up, fill a clean glass with warm water. Be careful not to burn yourself!
Step 3: Now you need to dissolve the cleaning crystals in the water and stir them well.
Step 4: Once the cleaning crystals are mixed, add your aligners to the solution and let the concoction sit for 15-20 minutes.
Step 6: Finally, rinse the retainers with fresh water, and enjoy a fresh and clean smile!
Can You Use Peroxide To Clean Invisalign?
We all know the vast range of possible uses of hydrogen peroxide. I’ve seen it being used to bleach skin and hair, clean open wounds, and clean stains from surfaces all around the house. However, if the antiseptic and cleaning properties of peroxide are so impressive, can they be used for my Invisalign?
Yes, hydrogen peroxide is one of the easiest ways to ensure clean and bacteria-free aligners. The solution prevents infectious mouth diseases by eliminating any germs or grime from your retainers. It cannot remove plaque, however, so make sure you brush your Invisalign with water or mild soap to complete their cleaning process.
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Pros of Using Hydrogen Peroxide |
Cons of Using Hydrogen Peroxide |
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Removes most bacteria |
Can be harmful if ingested |
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Cost-effective |
Incorrect use might damage the plastic |
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Readily available |
Needs to be diluted before usage |
How To Use Peroxide To Clean Invisalign?
Hydrogen peroxide is readily available and quite cheap, so you’re sure to find it lying around the house or in most pharmacies. Here’s how you can clean your retainers with it in a few simple steps:
Step 1: Mix equal parts of warm water and hydrogen peroxide in a glass.
Make sure that you use peroxide with a maximum concentration of 3% (often written on the bottle) as anything above it might be too strong for the retainers to handle.
Step 2: Next, stir the solution properly and place your aligners inside the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Once the time’s up, take out the Invisalign and brush them gently with a soft-bristled brush.
You can also finish off by scrubbing them with mild soap and rinsing them with water. This would further prevent any plaque buildup from manifesting in your retainers.
This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/23/2022.
Can You Use Vinegar To Clean Invisalign?
Vinegar is known as the cheap multi-purpose acid that not only adds flavor to your favorite meal but is also notorious for its disinfecting and cleansing power. Since it’s also widely available, it leaves you thinking if trusty old vinegar is a viable cleaning solution for your Invisalign?
Vinegar is one of the cheapest yet most effective cleaning solutions for your Invisalign trays. Simply use distilled white vinegar to ensure stainless aligners with little aftertaste. Not only is the solution completely safe to use but it also removes any signs of bacterial growth and plaque stains in your aligners.
How To Use Vinegar To Clean Invisalign?
Worried that you’ll mess up your brand new aligners with vinegar? Follow these simple steps to achieve squeaky clean Invisalign:
Step 1: Start off by pouring three parts of warm water and one part of vinegar into a glass.
It’s best to use a glass dish instead of a metal or plastic one to avoid any chemical reactions with your container.
Step 3: Mix the solution well before adding in your Invisalign. .
Step 4: Let your Invisalign soak in the solution for at least 20 minutes or until you’re satisfied that all the gunk has cleared off.
Step 5: Finally rinse your aligners with fresh water and brush them with mild soap to eliminate any acidic aftertaste due to vinegar.
Can You Use Toothpaste To Clean Invisalign?
We’ve all been using toothpaste to clean our teeth, so naturally, it seemed a safe bet when I decided to use it for my Invisalign. Since the paste is great and disinfecting my teeth and keeping them in top condition, I assumed it would work on my aligners as well; boy was I wrong!
Toothpaste is generally not recommended to clean Invisalign since it often contains abrasive particles that scratch the surface of your retainers and create grounds for bacteria growth. It can also stain your Invisalign and leave a rather unpleasant lingering taste.
Can You Use Baking Soda To Clean Invisalign?
Baking soda is a well-known ingredient to clean household surfaces while ensuring protection against bacteria. Since I’m too scared to dabble into harsh chemicals like peroxide just yet, I wondered if baking soda could do the trick?
Baking soda is a dentist-approved way of ensuring plaque-free and germ-free Invisalign. Since it is a relatively stronger cleaning agent and contains antibacterial properties, it can reach the tiny crevices in your retainers and eliminate any instance of grime and bacteria.
How To Use Baking Soda To Clean Invisalign?
To create a solution that thoroughly cleans your retainers without breaking the bank, you simply need to head over to your kitchen cabinet, grab some baking soda and follow some simple steps:
Step 1: Pour one cup of warm water into a clean glass.
Step 2: Add 1 tbsp of baking soda and stir well.
Step 3: Place your retainers in the mixture and let them sit idle for around an hour.
Step 4: Finally, take the Invisalign trays out and rinse them thoroughly with warm water.
Can You Use Alcohol To Clean Invisalign?
Most commonly-used mouthwashes contain alcohol for their bacteria-killing properties. I’ve been using alcohol all my life to sterilize wounds since its possessive impressive disinfecting powers. Moreover, since I learned that most mouthwashes also contain some amount of alcohol to kill bacteria, it’s left me thinking if the chemical is of any use against grimy Invisalign?
Dentists strongly advise against using alcohol to clean your Invisalign, despite it being excellent at removing germs and bacteria. Alcohol or alcohol-based products can make your retainers dry, leading to their exterior becoming brittle. Coupled with the harsh abrasion properties of alcohol, your retainers are highly probable to weaken and snap easily.
Can You Use A Denture Cleaner To Clean Invisalign?
I’ve often seen many brands of denture cleaners whenever I visit my local pharmacy. Ever since I started my Invisalign journey, I’ve thought about using these cleaners to keep my retainers fresh. They seem well-loved amongst dentists, but are they approved for Invisalign care as well?
Denture cleaners are a professional and efficient solution to grimy Invisalign. They can be found at pharmacies and can effectively clear any bacteria and plaque buildup off your retainers. However, a cloudy appearance on your Invisalign can develop from denture cleaners, so be wary of that.
This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/23/2022.
How To Use a Denture Cleaner To Clean Invisalign?
There are several brands of denture cleaners available like Polident, Strident, and Efferdent which you can use to achieve sparkly clean Invisalign. Here are some simple steps to guide you along the way:
Step 1: Pour some denture cleaner into a small container and place your retainers in the solution.
Step 2: Let them sit for around 15 minutes. Make sure you don’t leave them in for too long since denture cleaners can potentially turn your retainers yellow.
Step 3: Once the time’s up, take out your Invisalign and rinse them with fresh water.
Step 4: Lastly, scrub with a gentle toothbrush to get rid of any remaining grime or plaque.
Can You Use Mouthwash To Clean Invisalign?
While performing my nighttime dental routine last night, I came across the premonition of using mouthwash to clean my aligners. Since my mouth is always left fresh and clean after I’ve rinsed it with mouthwash, does this mean it should work on my Invisalign as well?
It’s not recommended to use mouthwash to clean your Invisalign since they are generally brightly-colored, which means you run a high risk of staining your Invisalign trays if you were to soak them in the solution. Moreover, mouthwashes often contain strong ingredients that can dry out your retainers and cause them to snap.
Can You Use Dish Soap To Clean Invisalign?
Dish soap works tremendously well in cleaning my plastic utensils and rendering them good as new. The Invisalign trays I use are also made of similar-looking plastic, leaving me to delve into the world of using dish soap as a cleaning agent for Invisalign.
Using dish soap is one of the most effective ways to clean your Invisalign trays! Commonly-used dish soaps such as Dawn do not contain harsh or abrasive chemicals and host incredible bacteria-killing properties.
How To Use Dish Soap To Clean Invisalign?
Since dish soaps are fairly effective at eliminating any buildup from our Invisalign, it’s essential to know the proper method to use the solution if you don’t want to end up with spoiled retainers.
Step 1: Mix some dish soap in a cup of warm water and mix the solution until you can see bubbles arise.
Step 2: Next, dip a soft toothbrush in the bubbly concoction you have just created and gently scrub the inner and outer surface of your Invisalign.
Keep brushing until you can see no more plaque or dirt clouding your aligners.
Step 3: Finally, rinse your Invisalign thoroughly with fresh water and make sure no soap is left in the crevices of the retainer.
Can You Use Bleach To Clean Invisalign?
Bleach is excellent at removing stubborn stains from numerous surfaces and ensuring a bacteria-free environment. Since there’s always some bleach lying somewhere around my house, I can’t help but wonder if I could maximize the use of my household bleach by cleaning my retainers with the solution.
Professionals strongly advise against using any bleach to rid your Invisalign of terrible stains. Soaking your Invisalign in bleach can damage and can break down the delicate plastic, making them brittle and more prone to snapping. Moreover, the strength of bleach also threatens to distort your Invisalign.
Can You Use A Toothbrush To Clean Invisalign?
I brush my teeth twice every day with my regular toothbrush and always enjoy a fresh, clean mouth. The bristles successfully remove any particles stuck on or between my teeth without any damage. I can certainly use my normal toothbrush for my aligners as well, right?
Toothbrushes are great for cleaning your aligners due to their fine bristles and ability to get into the crevices of your Invisalign. However, it is important to keep your regular toothbrush and aligner toothbrush separate since your regular brush may be too harsh for your retainers, causing scratches or permanent damage.
How To Use A Toothbrush To Clean Invisalign?
To make sure you don’t accidentally damage your retainers in the process of cleaning them, I advise you to purchase a toothbrush specifically made for infants since these have the softest bristles. It’s also important to follow the correct steps so you don’t end up scratching and destroying your retainers:
This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on Jun 23, 2022..
Step 1: Start off by creating a solution with warm water and dish soap.
Step 2: Use your toothbrush brush dipped in the solution to gently scrub the retainers clean.
Step 3: Once you’re done scrubbing off grime and stains from your retainer, rinse your brush in clean water and repeat Step 2 to remove any soap residue from your Invisalign.
Step 4: Finally rinse the retainers thoroughly before wearing them to show off your clear and clean smile!
Can You Use Hand Soap To Clean Invisalign?
Hand soaps contain antibacterial properties that can effectively clean your Invisalign. Brushing some hand soap gently over your Invisalign trays is an ideal method to remove any plaque or accumulated dirt. However, you just need to make sure the soap is unscented and colorless since scents can be harmful when ingested and colors can stain your Invisalign.
This article was first published on Jun 23, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..
This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/23/2022.
Can You Use Hot Water To Clean Invisalign?
Never use extremely hot water to clean your Invisalign trays. The heat can damage and warp the plastic of the retainers and lead to a significant delay in your teeth-straightening treatment. Hot water can also cause the plastic to dry out and break over time, hence it’s better to only use luke-warm water to effectively clean your Invisalign.
Can You Use Milton To Clean Invisalign?
Yes, you can use Milton to clean your Invisalign trays and successfully get rid of harmful bacteria. Just soak your retainers in some Milton solution for half an hour to clean and disinfect them. Also, make sure to rinse them thoroughly with fresh water before putting your retainers back on.
Can You Use Retainer Brite To Clean Invisalign?
You can use Retainer Brite to clean Invisalign to remove germs and stubborn plaque. Retainer Brite works like denture cleaners but is way less abrasive as it is catered specifically towards plastic retainers. Simply dissolve the tablets in lukewarm water to create your cleaning solution.
Can You Use Salt Water To Clean Invisalign?
A simple salt and water solution is quite effective at cleaning your Invisalign trays. Salt contains natural antibacterial properties and can kill the germs that your retainers may harbor. Creating a salt and warm water mix to soak your Invisalign in is an excellent way of keeping them germ-free.
How To Clean Your Invisalign Properly?
Since Invisalign trays rest in your mouth for over 20 hours a day, it is extremely important to make sure they are completely clean and free of any harmful bacteria. To ensure proper care of your retainers, you must choose the right approach to cleaning them.
The ideal way to clean your Invisalign trays without risking any damage is to employ the safe, effective, and dentist-approved method of using cleaning crystals. These crystals are made specifically for plastic retainers to guarantee proper care for your Invisalign.
Cleaning Your Invisalign
Since it’s very easy to damage your Invisalign trays, it’s important to follow the correct procedure while cleaning them. Here are some simple steps which are guaranteed to give you germ-free and clean retainers every time:
Step 1: Start off by rinsing your Invisalign under running water to remove any saliva or thick debris. Make sure that the water isn’t extremely hot as it could distort the shape of your aligners.
Step 2: Next, stir a packet of cleaning crystals in a glass of warm water to form your cleaning solution.
Step 3: Once your solution is ready, go ahead and soak your Invisalign trays in it and make sure that they are completely submerged.
Step 4: Leave your aligners idle in the mixture for at least 15 minutes before you take them out.
Step 5: Once the time has passed, pull out your Invisalign trays and run them under running water to clear off any residue left behind by the cleaning crystals.
Step 6: Finally, brush your Invisalign trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush to eliminate any instances of plaque that may be clouding the surface. Give your retainers a final rinse and viola! You’re ready to wear your Invisaligns again!
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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on Jun 23, 2022 and last modified on .