How to Clean Invisalign Aligners Properly

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If you’re wondering how to clean Invisalign aligners, start with a soft toothbrush, cool or lukewarm water, and the care instructions your orthodontist gave you. A thorough clean is easy at home. When you’re out for lunch and only have access to a sink, a quick rinse can help until you can clean the trays properly.

Quick Answer

Clean Invisalign aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and cool or lukewarm water, then rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in. Invisalign’s Canadian instructions allow a small amount of toothpaste, and your orthodontist can tell you which product to use for your trays. Keep your aligners away from hot water, denture cleaners and mouthwash soaks. If a tray is cracked, bent or suddenly stops fitting, contact your orthodontist before changing trays on your own. 

How to clean Invisalign trays step by step

Wash your hands first and clean one tray at a time. The Canadian Invisalign use and care instructions recommend cleaning before reinsertion, using a soft-bristled brush and rinsing thoroughly afterwards.

  1. Rinse the tray. Run cool or lukewarm water over it to wash away loose debris.
  2. Brush gently inside and out. Turn the tray so you can see the small pockets that fit over your teeth. Work the soft bristles along those pockets and around the edges without bending the plastic. Use the cleaning product your orthodontist recommends.
  3. Rinse again. Flush away any remaining cleaner and check the tray in good light for cracks or a change in shape.
  4. Reinsert or store it. Put the clean trays back in after cleaning your teeth. If you’re taking them out for a meal, dry them before storing them in their protective case.

What if you’re at work and can’t brush after lunch?

Rinse your mouth and rinse both trays under cool or lukewarm running water. The Canadian instructions describe rinsing as a temporary option when a toothbrush or cleaning system is unavailable. Clean the aligners thoroughly as soon as you can.

A small travel kit can make this easier. Keep your aligner case and a soft toothbrush in your work bag so they’re available when you eat out. While you eat, put the trays in the case. A napkin is easy to clear away with the dishes. Hand-wash the case with soap and water and let it dry between uses.

If you’re still deciding whether this routine fits your day, York’s guide to Invisalign for adults explains how removable trays fit into meals and daily oral care.

Do you need Invisalign cleaning crystals?

Invisalign cleaning products are an optional addition to your routine. The Canadian instructions say to use them as needed. If you choose a soak, use a product intended for your aligners and follow its directions for water temperature, the amount of cleaner, soak time and rinsing. Check the package even if you’ve used a different aligner cleaner before. 

A soak is for cleaning the appliance. If a tray has changed shape, feels sharp or no longer sits properly, set the cleaner aside and ask your orthodontist what to do with that set.

What should you avoid when cleaning Invisalign?

  • Hot water. Heat can warp the plastic and affect how it fits. Keep trays out of boiling water and away from hot drinks. 
  • Denture cleaners and mouthwash soaks. Invisalign’s Canadian instructions warn that these can damage or dull the tray surface. If you use mouthwash as part of your oral care, keep it separate from tray cleaning. 
  • Improvised cleaning mixtures or aggressive scrubbing. If your usual routine leaves a film, ask your orthodontist which cleaner is appropriate before trying a home remedy or a stiffer brush.

Take your trays out before eating or drinking anything other than cool or lukewarm plain water. Coffee, tea and other drinks can stain clear plastic. The Invisalign guide to everyday aligner care also recommends rinsing trays when you take them out.

What if your aligners still look cloudy or smell?

Start with a gentle clean and a thorough rinse. Pay attention to the inside surfaces and back teeth pockets, and wash the case if it also has an odour. If the film, stain or odour persists, ask your orthodontist whether a different cleaning product is appropriate and whether to bring the tray in for inspection.

During Invisalign treatment at York Orthodontics, you wear your trays in a planned sequence. If a tray looks distorted, has a significant crack or suddenly fits differently, call your orthodontist for instructions on which set to wear. An in-person check may be needed if the team needs to examine the tray or assess how it sits on your teeth.

FAQs

Can I use toothpaste on Invisalign aligners?

The Canadian Invisalign instructions allow a small amount of toothpaste with a soft toothbrush. York’s current cleaning guide gives different advice, so follow the product instructions your orthodontist gave you and ask which toothpaste or cleaner they recommend if you’re unsure.

Should I clean a brand-new set before wearing it?

Rinse each tray with water when you take it out of the packaging. Wash your hands first, then check that you have the correct set for your scheduled change.

 

Can I use the same routine for another brand of clear aligners?

Check that appliance’s care instructions before using the same toothpaste, soak or cleaning product. If you’re looking up how to clean clear aligners and wear a different brand, ask your orthodontist which products are suitable for the trays you have.

 

What should I do if I cleaned my trays with hot water?

If you see a change in shape or the tray no longer seats normally, avoid forcing it into place. Call your orthodontist and tell them what happened, which set you’re wearing, and what feels different so they can advise you on your next step.

Can I put my aligner case in the dishwasher?

Hand-wash the case with soap and water. Invisalign’s Canadian instructions advise against using a dishwasher for the case.

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