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How to look after Invisalign braces

As a platinum level Invisalign provider in Oxford, Summertown Dental & Implants has had the pleasure in transforming the lives and smiles of thousands of patients in Oxford, Oxfordshire and beyond. Whether you call them Invisalign braces, aligners, clear plastic removable braces or simply retainers, Invisalign offers patients looking for straight teeth and a wonderful new smile multiple benefits when compared to more traditional fixed metal braces. Not least in allowing you to remove your clear braces whenever you need to.

The most obvious benefit of being able to remove your Invisalign aligners is being able to eat the food you with none of your favourite foods off-limits. Removable braces also means brushing your teeth as you would always do, removing any waste food that may have stuck in your teeth. The ease and convenience of Invisalign can, on occasion, lead to complacency when it comes to keeping your Invisalign braces in the very best condition possible so they do the best job possible when it comes to straightening your teeth. With this in mind our Invisalign dentists at Summertown Dental & Implants in Oxford have created a list of Do’s and Don’ts for maintaining your Invisalign aligners.

Keep Invisalign Braces safe when you’re not wearing them.

Once you’ve removed your clear aligners always store them in the protective case provided. This will help keep them clean and stop them getting lost or bent out of shape. You’d be amazed how many times we hear from patients how “the dog ate my braces!” 

Avoid drinking tea, coffee or other hot drinks when wearing Invisalign braces.

It’s best to remove your aligners whenever eating or drinking but particularly if you’re eating or drinking hot foods and drinks. Invisalign is made from plastic, perfect for its durability and flexibility but vulnerable to changing shape if heated.

Clean Invisalign trays thoroughly.

Wearing your clear aligners daily often leads to a build-up of plaque or dry saliva on the inside of your trays. This can lead to a build-up of bacteria which may make the trays smell, and not in a good way! To avoid this, rinse your aligners thoroughly under cold water every time you remove them. For a more thorough clean you can brush them gently with a toothbrush or use a clear anti-bacterial soft soap.

Brush and floss teeth before wearing your Invisalign aligners.

The best way to avoid a build up of bacteria in your trays is to keep your teeth and gums as clean as possible. Follow your normal dental hygiene routine every time you remove your Invisalign braces.

Soak your Invisalign aligners in cleaning solution provided by your dentist.

It’s a good idea to soak your aligners once a day in the cleaning solution provided by Summertown Dental & Implants. Do not soak your trays in mouthwash or denture cleaning fluid as this can cause discolouration.

For more information on Invisalign braces contact us or book a free Invisalign video consultation