Clear aligners like Invisalign are one of the best treatments to come out of orthodontics in many decades. They are more difficult to see than braces, and they make it easy to keep up with your dental care because you remove them to brush and floss. Clear aligners also cut down on treatment time for your tooth problems, and they are cheaper than braces. Aligners are amazing, but you need to care for them properly if you want to have the best outcome for your mouth.

You Need to Rinse Them Off

The first rule you should understand with clear aligners is that you will need to rinse the aligners every time to take them out. For example, if you take your aligners out to eat a snack, rinse them with water before you put them back in your mouth. Rinsing your aligners means that the bacteria that are always present in your mouth will not have the chance to stick to your aligners. If you remember to rinse your aligners, you are far less likely to get cavities. One pro tip: don’t rinse your aligners with water that is overly hot or freezing cold because this could cause your aligners to lose their shape.

Brushing and Flossing

Remember to brush and floss your teeth after you eat and before you put the aligners back in. This also helps to cut down on bacteria sticking around on your aligners. You will have a healthier mouth when your treatment is finished if you brush and floss regularly.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Don’t use toothpaste to clean your clear aligners. Toothpaste has abrasive materials that help to scrape bacteria off your teeth, but those abrasive particles can also scratch your aligners, which lets more bacteria adhere to them. Instead of using toothpaste, ask your orthodontist what they recommend for cleaning your clear aligners.