Invisalign and Oral Health: Tips for Keeping Your Mouth Healthy

When using Invisalign®, patients must maintain their oral hygiene. The trays gradually move the teeth into a better alignment, which can make them easier to care for. That said, using Invisalign means making small adjustments to daily habits. Fortunately, these changes are simple and easy to add to your routine.

Oral hygiene with Invisalign®

Invisalign trays sit directly on the teeth, so keeping the oral cavity clean is more vital than ever during treatment. Here are the most important things that patients can do to get the most out of their aligner trays.

Brush before insertion

Since Invisalign comprises a series of customized trays, patients can be sure they will fit seamlessly onto their teeth. While this is useful for achieving the desired results, any bacteria or food particles stuck on the teeth will be trapped underneath an aligner.

Therefore, the patient will always need to brush and floss after eating or drinking anything other than water. If access to a toothbrush is limited, the next best choice is to rinse the mouth thoroughly with water.

Brush and soak the aligners

Even on clean teeth, the Invisalign aligners will gradually experience bacterial buildup simply by being in the mouth. Patients will need to brush them daily to remove this bacterial film, and they should also brush their tongues to reduce buildup. Be sure to brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and do not use toothpaste; failure to clean the aligners properly can damage them.

Many dentists provide crystals or powders to clean the aligners while they are soaking in water. These compounds work similarly to denture cleaners, and each patient’s dentist will advise them on whether to use these soaks in addition to aligner brushing or as an alternative.

Be honest about discomfort

Patients may experience irritation or soreness in their mouths when using the aligner trays. To keep the mouth as healthy as possible, they should speak with a dentist as soon as any sores appear. Without interfering with the effectiveness of the aligners, the dentist can file down any irritating or rough edges that may have occurred during the trays’ manufacturing process. There is no need for patients to endure uncomfortable rubbing or poking, though such a situation is rare with Invisalign overall.