How to Care for Your Clear Aligners at Home

Not being able to visit the dentist during this COVID-19 pandemic has been an adjustment to millions of Americans. Many people have had to cancel or (hopefully) reschedule their regular appointments. For those with any type of dental work or orthodontic treatment, not being able to visit the dentist can seem scary – but it doesn’t have to be! You can take great care of your smile at home, and for those with clear aligners, you can help to ensure that your smile is being straightened and becoming beautiful.

One of the most significant advantages of having orthodontic treatment through clear aligners is that the aligners are removable. You can eat and drink anything you want because you must take your aligners out of your mouth for meals and snacks. Also, the ability to take the aligners entirely out of your mouth allows you can brush and floss properly throughout your orthodontic treatment to maintain optimum oral health. With conscientious care and cleaning, your aligners can stay clear of stains, odors, and plaque buildup.

Thankfully, caring for your aligners is simple. Follow these steps:

• Rinse every time. Any time you remove your aligners from your mouth, you need to rinse them thoroughly under running water. This helps to wash away saliva, bacteria, and food particles.
• Soak regularly. Your clear aligners can be soaked in specialized cleaning crystals to remove any stubborn bacteria that can harm your teeth.
• Clean your teeth. Proper at-home orthodontic care is not just about keeping your aligners clean. You also need to make sure you floss and brush regularly to keep your teeth free of bacteria-laden plaque.
• Brush your aligners. Ideally, you will want to brush your aligners carefully every time you take them out of your mouth. However, you need to be gentle. Overzealous brushing can leave visible marks and scratches on your aligners.
• Keep your case handy. Clear aligners are easy to lose. Keep your storage case with you at all times so that you have a protected place to put your aligners when they are out of your mouth.

At Montevallo Family Dentistry, we are here for all aspects of your oral health.

Posted on Behalf of Montevallo Family Dentistry