Orthodontic clear aligners are a convenient and discreet way to straighten your teeth, but getting the best results from treatment means taking good care of your aligners, too. After all, you'll be wearing them for most of the day, so keeping them clean and in good condition is an important part of your treatment.
Whether you're just getting started with clear aligners or have been wearing them for a while, a few simple habits can help protect your aligners and keep your treatment on track.
At Dat Complete Dentistry, we're here to help you feel confident throughout your clear aligner journey. Here's what you should know about wearing and caring for your aligners.
Wear Your Aligners as Directed
Clear aligners work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to gradually move your teeth. That means wearing them as recommended by your dentist is essential.
In many cases, clear aligners are designed to be worn for approximately 20 to 22 hours per day, although your specific instructions may vary.
You'll generally remove them only when you need to eat, drink something other than water, brush and floss, or clean the aligners.
It can be tempting to leave your aligners out for a little longer when you're busy or eating out, but consistently wearing them as directed helps keep your treatment progressing as planned.
Take Your Aligners Out Before Eating
One of the biggest rules of clear aligner care is simple: take your aligners out before eating.
Unlike braces, aligners aren't designed to be worn while chewing food. Eating with them in can damage or stain the trays and may cause food particles to become trapped between the aligners and your teeth.
Remove your aligners and place them somewhere safe before eating. Avoid wrapping them in a napkin, since it's surprisingly easy to accidentally throw them away!
A dedicated aligner case is the safest place to keep them when they're not in your mouth.
What Can You Drink While Wearing Clear Aligners?
Generally, plain, cool or room-temperature water is the safest drink to have while wearing your aligners.
Other beverages can cause problems. Sugary drinks can become trapped against your teeth underneath the aligners, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Dark-colored or strongly pigmented beverages may also stain the trays.
Hot beverages can potentially distort the plastic, so it's best to remove your aligners before drinking hot coffee, tea, or other hot drinks.
If you want to have anything besides water, take your aligners out first. Then brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water before putting the aligners back in.
Clean Your Teeth Before Putting Your Aligners Back In
Clear aligners fit closely over your teeth, which means anything left on your teeth can become trapped underneath them.
Try to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth before putting your aligners back in after meals.
If you're away from home and can't brush right away, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and clean your teeth as soon as you're able.
Keeping your teeth clean throughout treatment is especially important because cavities and gum problems can interfere with your orthodontic treatment.
How Should You Clean Your Clear Aligners?
Your aligners should be cleaned regularly to remove bacteria, plaque, saliva, and buildup.
A simple routine can include:
- Rinse your aligners with cool or lukewarm water when you remove them.
- Gently brush them using a soft toothbrush.
- Use a cleaning solution or product recommended by your dentist if additional cleaning is needed.
- Rinse thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.
Avoid using hot water. High temperatures can warp the plastic and affect how your aligners fit.
You should also avoid abrasive products or harsh household cleaners unless your dental provider specifically recommends them. They can scratch the surface of the aligners, making them look cloudy and potentially creating places where buildup can collect.
Keep Your Aligner Case Clean
Your aligner case needs attention, too! When you take your aligners out, store them in their case rather than placing them on a countertop, in a pocket, or loose in a bag. This helps protect them from germs, damage, and accidental loss.
Clean your case regularly with soap and water, rinse it well, and let it dry.
And if your aligners aren't in your mouth or their case, there's a good chance you're eventually going to forget where you put them. Your case can help prevent that, too!
What Should You Avoid?
A few habits can shorten the life of your aligners or make them less effective.
Try to avoid:
- Eating while wearing your aligners
- Drinking anything other than water while wearing them
- Using hot water to clean or rinse them
- Scrubbing them with abrasive products
- Leaving them loose where they can be damaged or lost
- Leaving them somewhere pets can reach them
- Skipping aligner changes or wearing trays longer than instructed
- Bending or twisting the aligners when putting them in or taking them out
When removing an aligner, use your fingertips and work gently around the edges rather than pulling aggressively from one side.
Don't Use a Damaged or Lost Aligner Without Calling Your Dentist
Clear aligners are designed to fit your teeth in a specific way. If an aligner becomes cracked, warped, or otherwise damaged, don't try to fix it yourself.
Likewise, if you lose an aligner, contact your dental office for instructions rather than simply moving on to the next tray.
Your dentist can let you know whether you should temporarily wear a previous aligner, move forward, or take another step based on your treatment plan.
Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments
Clear aligner treatment doesn't replace your regular dental care.
Continue seeing your dentist for routine examinations and cleanings throughout your orthodontic treatment. These appointments allow your dental team to monitor your teeth and gums and address problems such as cavities or gum inflammation.
Your dentist can also monitor your progress and make sure your treatment is moving in the right direction.
A Little Aligner Care Goes a Long Way
Clear aligners can make straightening your teeth more convenient and discreet, but they do require some responsibility. Wear them as directed, take them out before eating and drinking anything besides water, clean them regularly, and store them safely when they're not in your mouth.
Most importantly, follow the instructions provided by your dental team. If you're ever unsure about how to clean your aligners, what you can eat or drink, or what to do if an aligner is damaged or lost, just ask.
At Dat Complete Dentistry, we're here to support you throughout every step of your clear aligner treatment. Contact our team to learn more about clear aligners or schedule your orthodontic consultation.
