How To Keep Your Invisalign Trays From Staining?

Invisalign trays are a popular choice for teeth straightening due to their clear and nearly invisible appearance. However, these aligners can become stained without proper care, reducing their aesthetic appeal. Let us understand how such stains may arise and how to keep your Invisalign trays from staining.

Importance of Keeping Invisalign Trays in Good Condition

When you maintain your Invisalign as new, you are not only preventing them from becoming dull over time but also ensuring that oral hygiene is maintained to make the treatment effective. Bad breath and buildup of bacteria are kept at bay, as well as staining. It is not very difficult to prevent such issues if you regularly clean the Invisalign trays. There are multiple ways to do so and prevent staining, ranging from using just water to using special solutions as prescribed by the orthodontist.

How Does Staining Occur On Invisalign Trays?

Getting to the core of the staining problem of Invisalign treatment is the key to knowing how to prevent it from arising and taking preventive steps. Since Invisalign trays are made from medical-grade plastic and need to be worn for a greater part of the day, they can get discoloured because of what you eat and drink when not wearing them. 

The discolouration occurs when:

→You fail to rinse your mouth properly after eating or drinking.

→You fail to brush and floss your teeth properly and regularly.

→You consume foods and beverages, such as berries and tea, which contain pigments that can discolour teeth and hence the Invisalign trays as well.

→You smoke and/or chew a tobacco product which affects the Invisalign trays.

→You may be taking medicines that stain the Invisalign trays (of course, you should not stop taking prescribed medications!).

4 Handy Steps To Prevent Staining Your Invisalign Trays

Some of the handy steps to keep your Invisalign trays from staining are:

→When wearing Invisalign trays, you should only drink water. Avoid beverages like coffee, tea, soda, wine, and juice, as they can stain or damage the aligners. Do not eat while wearing them. Always remove your trays before consuming any food or drinks other than water, and reinsert them only after brushing your teeth. If you must have a drink, use a straw and sip slowly to minimize contact with your aligners.

Also read: Food Restrictions During Invisalign: All You Need To Know

→Before putting back the Invisaligns after eating or drinking, rinse your mouth thoroughly, and brush and floss properly as this will remove any food particles and prevent pigments from discolouring the trays.

→Just as you maintain a brushing-flossing routine, so also maintain a routine to clean the Invisalign trays twice daily.

→Use cleaning methods and products only as per the instructions given by the orthodontist. Do not use powders, gels and liquids which do more harm than good.

How To Clean Your Invisalign to Keep It Clean and Stain-Free?

To ensure the proper upkeep of Invisalign which will benefit oral health, you need to follow a care regimen regularly. The first step is to keep the trays in the case given by the orthodontist when you are not wearing them. If you leave them casually on the table you are exposing them to dust and dirt. There are some cleaning methods:

Clean Using a Toothbrush and Warm Water

 A very basic way to keep the Invisalign trays clean is to use a soft bristle toothbrush and lukewarm water (not hot water, which will put them out of shape). This will clear out saliva blobs and food particles. Dry them properly and then use them. When using a toothbrush, avoid using the same toothbrush that you use for brushing. Keep a separate one for the trays. Do not use toothpaste scrub them with detergent liquids or use any other type of harsh chemicals that can be abrasive and make the trays dull. Using mouthwash may be considered a quick process, but not advisable as it tends to leave a coloured tint on the tray.

Using a Prescribed Cleaning Kit

Your orthodontist may advise you to use a cleaning kit containing a special brush and a cleansing product, such as crystal foam or denture cleaning tablets which are specifically meant to clean stains from Invisalign trays. Dry off after using and place the tray back on your teeth. Such products help to keep Invisalign odour-free, hygienic, and clear.

Using Baking Soda

One of the recommended easy methods to clean Invisalign is to use easily available baking soda. It is gentle on the trays and all you need to do is to make a paste of baking soda with lukewarm water and apply it on the Invisaligns with a soft bristle toothbrush. Rinse, dry, and use.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide or Distilled Vinegar

Hydrogen peroxide may be recommended by your orthodontist as it acts as an effective disinfectant to remove bacteria from Invisalign. Use half cup of water and an equal proportion of hydrogen peroxide. Soak the trays in this solution for about five minutes, rinse with cold water, dry off, and use. An alternate option is to use a solution of a teaspoon of white vinegar and water. Note though, that both peroxide and vinegar may have downsides. While hydrogen peroxide can leave an initial lingering taste in the mouth, vinegar may be unsuitable for constant cleaning as it can affect the Invisalign material. Hence, use both with caution after consulting your orthodontist.

Use an Ultrasonic Invisalign Cleaner

This is a sophisticated dental device that uses high-frequency sound waves to clean Invisalign trays. It is indeed less tedious than brushing a tray, is quick, and makes for a thorough cleansing process, but it is expensive!

Conclusion

No doubt, Invisalign is an effective orthodontic treatment in teeth alignment, resulting in a better smile than one that would be marred by crooked or crowded teeth, and contributes to dental health. The trays are customized, and strong, merging into the teeth to become practically invisible. To make sure they continue to retain these features, it is essential to take some time and effort in the upkeep of Invisalign. Keeping them clean and stain-free will make for more effective orthodontic treatment. For more guidance on keeping Invisalign trays in pristine condition, contact Dentique Dental Clinic, the leading dental clinic in Kochi.