Clear aligners such as Invisalign are clear plastic dental braces that dentists worldwide use to straighten teeth. Metal teeth braces in Singapore are still pretty common but clear aligners are becoming more popular as a straightforward and convenient alternative for corrective dentistry. For many individuals of all ages – including teens and youths – clear aligners are an ideal orthodontic treatment choice to guarantee that your smile stays in the right place.
One reason for the rising popularity of clear aligners is how discreet and easy they are compared to traditional braces. However proper care and maintenance is required to keep them this way, otherwise they might discolour and cause you to feel self-conscious.
If you don’t clean your aligners regularly, you might be jeopardising your dental health or corrective therapy without even realising it. We’ve put together a list of things you can do to keep your aligners clean at all times.
Clear aligners are usually worn for almost an entire day so it’s important to thoroughly clean them when they’re out of your mouth. An unscented and clear antibacterial cleanser will help to effectively wash and rinse away any bacteria. This prevents bacteria buildup from affecting your teeth as well as stops your aligners from discolouring. You can use Invisalign-specific cleaning products, or any other aligner cleanser.
Do not expose your clear aligners to the elements. When you’re not using your aligners, you should store them in their carrying case. This protects them from breaking while also preventing germs from accumulating on them.
The first thing you should do upon waking up is to brush your teeth as well as clean your clear aligners. This keeps your trays and teeth clean and prevents bad breath by removing plaque and germs that accumulate while you’re asleep.
It’s easy to remember to remove clear aligners before eating, but it’s best to remove them while drinking too! Beverages such as soft drinks, coffee, or green tea may contain natural ingredients or colour additives that can discolour your aligners. Aligners are also not designed to withstand the pressure of chewing, so beverages such as milk tea with pearls can cause damage. Water is the only consumable that can safely interact with your aligners without risk of damage or discoloration.
It’s critical to keep your teeth clean when wearing clear aligners if you want to avoid buildup of oral bacteria that could lead to cavities or gum disease. Brush after each meal where you can, or rinse thoroughly with an antibacterial mouthwash if brushing isn’t possible.
If you have run out of aligner cleanser, do not use your toothpaste as an alternative. Almost all toothpastes contain abrasives to aid in the removal of plaque and stains. However these abrasives can scrape the surface of Invisalign or clear aligner trays, leaving grooves and scratches. These grooves can harbour bacteria leading to gum disease or bad breath, as well as discolour your aligners.
Soaking your clear aligner in a specially-made cleaning solution every few days can help eliminate bacterial growth and keep them looking new and translucent.
At FDC, we pride ourselves on excellent service that meets your individual dental and oral care needs. Our clinics are conveniently situated throughout Singapore.
Book an appointment with FDC today if you are interested in Invisalign clear aligners for you or your teen, or have any other dental health needs that our multi-speciality team of experienced dentists can assist you with. We also offer dental braces services including metal and ceramic braces.
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