How to Clean Invisalign Braces

If you've taken the plunge and have splurged on Invisalign braces, you're likely wondering how to clean them. Sure, brushing your aligners each time you remove them is a good start but as time goes by, they begin to cloud up a bit. By the end of the two-week cycle per set of aligners, you are so ready for the new trays, mainly because you know they'll be clean and fresh.

It gets worse folks. After you complete your full course of treatment, you may be instructed to use your last set of Invisalign trays at night as a retainer. If you don't have a good cleaning plan in place, you're in store for some nasty gunk. You won't get a new set every two weeks so it is crucial to clean your Invisalign braces properly.

The Invisalign Store located at www.invisalign.com has a product specifically designed for cleaning your braces however the price tag is mighty steep. Fifty cleaning crystals and a plastic tub go for $75.

Many dentists recommend against using denture cleansers because they can cause clouding. If you view the forums on www.dentistry.com you'll find that the jury is still out on this. Many users are happy with results from products such as Polident and Efferdent. I've been using the Target brand of denture cleansers for over a year with decent results. Clouding hasn't been an issue and I'm not concerned if it does become one because I only wear my aligners when sleeping.
Baking soda works wonders on a variety of products including cleaning Invisalign trays. Place a small amount of baking soda on a soft bristled toothbrush and give your braces a good scrub every couple of weeks. If you are concerned about the abrasiveness, try this on an old set and see for yourself how it works before tackling your current set. You can also soak them in a 50/50 solution of water and hydrogen peroxide.

Another highly recommended way to clean your Invisalign braces involves Dawn dishwashing liquid. If you have a sonic jewelry cleaning machine, put a drop or two of Dawn into the water and let the sonic waves clean your trays. If not, a drop on your electric toothbrush works well too.

Clearly, your investment in the Invisalign system is a significant one. Keeping your aligners fresh and clean is important both in keeping up appearances as well as in keeping your breath fresh. Try some of these techniques on your old aligners first to make sure you are comfortable with the results. I think you will be, each method is better than the yucky gunk that will inevitably invade if you don't clean your trays properly.