Aligners are a discreet, contemporary method for straightening teeth. Their clear, removable design means your oral hygiene routine gets a reboot. Unlike braces, aligners have no wires or brackets, which means you have more control over how clean your smile remains. That being said, cleaning your teeth with aligners does not happen automatically. It requires good habits, consistency, and some easy routines to keep your smile fresh and clean with aligners from beginning to end.
How to Keep Your Smile Fresh With Aligners?
1. Rinse Your Aligners Every Time You Take Them Out
Your aligners are in your mouth for most of the day, so they quickly pick up bacteria. If you leave it unwashed for even a short time, it can lead to odor and buildup. So:
- Rinse them under cold water as soon as you take them out.
- Don’t let saliva dry on the trays.
- Avoid hot water—it warps the plastic.
2. Brush and Floss Every Time Before Putting in Aligners
Drinking or eating without brushing your teeth beforehand is among the quickest ways to trap bacteria against your enamel.
- Floss once a day to get rid of food particles between teeth
- Brush after snacking and meals to prevent staining the aligner trays.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to safeguard your enamel when using aligners.
3. Sanitize Your Aligners Correctly—Not Just With Water
A fast rinse won’t get rid of invisible deposits or make your aligners crystal clear. Clean the trays as gently as you would your teeth.
- Use clear antibacterial soap or aligner cleaning tablets.
- Rinse and scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush in addition to the one you use on your teeth.
- Never use mouthwash or toothpaste—they will scratch or ding the aligners.
4. Develop a Daily Cleaning Routine
Routines make good intentions become long-term outcomes. A regular aligner care routine keeps your trays and your mouth feeling clean.
- Clean your aligners in the morning and at night.
- Set reminders on your phone if you have a bad memory.
- Use a ventilated case when trays are not in your mouth—never put them on a napkin or in your pocket.
5. Eat and Drink Smart
Food and beverages tend to leave traces behind that become stuck on teeth and trays. Awareness can help keep you smiling with aligners.
- Remove trays prior to eating or consumption of anything besides water.
- Brush your mouth and aligners before putting them back in.
- Don’t drink heavy beverages such as coffee and wine that stain.
6. Don’t Miss Follow-Up Visits to Your Orthodontist
Although you can tend to your aligners at home, you still need to have professional checkups every now and then. Your orthodontist can monitor progress and suggest adjustments to keep everything on track.
- Regular visits ensure everything is sitting just right.
- They can catch problems early, before they turn into larger issues.
- Aligner treatment is most effective when tracked along the way.
With a bit of effort every day, you can keep your teeth clean with aligners and have a fresh, healthy smile from start to finish. Aligner care isn’t difficult—it just needs to be consistent. Just follow these steps and you’ll keep your smile with aligners, stay on track and avoid unwanted setbacks, and complete treatment with the results you’ve been looking forward to.
Want to learn more about the aligners? Have a quick consultation at our spring orthodontic office.