How to Clean Your Teeth Aligners With Ease

Cleaning your aligners isn't just smart. It's recommended by almost every oral health expert out there.

Your mouth is home to a whopping 700 species of microbes. Some help to improve your health. But others secrete plaque that can harm your teeth and cloud up your aligners.

Cleaning is crucial, but you'll need to follow guidelines carefully. Clean the devices with the wrong tools or in the wrong way, and you could cause more harm than good.

How to clean aligners: Dos & don’ts.

Understanding how to clean your aligners is almost as important as avoiding common cleaning mistakes.

 Here’s what you should do when you’re cleaning aligners:

• Use a soft tool (like a gentle toothbrush).

• Stick with approved cleaning agents.

• Brush very gently.

• Rinse the trays with cool water.

• Store your trays properly after cleaning (if you’re not going to wear them).

 Here’s what not to do when you’re cleaning aligners:

• Don’t use hard or scratchy implements (like firm toothbrushes), as they will scratch your trays and lead to bacteria buildup.

• Steer clear of denture crystals and toothpaste, as they could cloud your trays.

• Don’t use anything scented or dyed, as they might stain your trays or cause digestive upset.

• Scrubbing hard can lead to deep scratches.

• Rinsing with hot water could warp trays.

• Leaving your trays outside of their case when you’re not wearing them can lead to damage, loss, and bacterial contamination.

This comparison chart can help you understand what cleaning agents are good (and which are not):

 Let’s dig into all of this information in detail, so you know just what to do.

Clean your aligners in a few easy steps.

Cleaning your aligners is quick and easy. After a few days of practice, you’ll be a pro! Here’s what you need to do to protect your trays from grime and bacteria.

Your cleaning process should involve the following steps:

1. Rinse your trays with cool water.

2. Grab a soft-bristled toothbrush you’ve dedicated to aligner care.

3. Place a small amount of clear, non-colored, unscented soap on the toothbrush.

4. Gently brush your aligners.

5. Rinse your trays.

What other tools can you try?

You don’t need fancy tools to clean your aligners. However, some products can make cleaning your aligners a little easier (and more effective).

These are a few additional cleaning tools to consider:

• BrightByte: Our BrightByte™ whitener/aligner cleaner is the best way to keep the aligners clean and fresh on the go. Simply squirt a dime-sized amount in your aligners, top and bottom, each time you replace them.

• Cleansing solutions: The next-best way to clean your aligners would be to mix 50% vinegar and 50% water, andto allow the aligners to soak in the solution for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse them off before wearing them again.

Don't use these tools on your aligners.

Your aligners are strong enough to move your teeth, but they can be delicate and easy to break, especially if you subject them to harsh chemicals.

Steer clear of tools such as these:

• Hard-bristle toothbrushes: Firm bristles can cause little scratches over time that trap bacteria within the aligner.

• Toothpaste: Since they are made to clean the hard, tough, enamel surface of your teeth, most toothpastes are much too abrasive for polymers used in aligners.

• Colorful or scented soap: Detergents can leave an awful taste in your mouth, and they're not made for digestion.

• Denture crystals: These fizzy powders can damage and cloud up your clear trays.

• Mouthwash: Dyes in these liquids can stain your aligners.

• Hot water: High temperatures can bend your trays, and that means they won't fit into your mouth and move your teeth effectively.

4 more ways to protect your teeth

Wearing aligners is a proven way to improve your oral health. In fact, researchers found that after wearing aligners for six months, people tended to brush more often, and they had less plaque on their teeth.

Your dentist can help you learn more about how to protect your teeth and keep your smile as stunning as it can possibly be. The following steps will help too:

Your dentist can help you learn more about how to protect your teeth and keep your smile as stunning as it can possibly be.

Aligner cleaning FAQs.