Years ago, those looking to straighten their teeth only had one option: metal braces. Today, however, Invisalign is becoming increasingly available to the public. People are now choosing removable aligners over metal braces because they don't irritate the teeth and gums. Not only are they more comfortable to use but they are significantly easier to maintain. Your mouth is a part of your body that gets dirty throughout the day, so these plastic aligners must be washed daily.

Here are five ways to keep your aligners immaculate:
 

This should be a no-brainer. After all, why clean your aligners if the surface they will be on isn’t taken proper care of? Floss your teeth to remove any traces of food and scrub each particle out with a brush. Missing these particles can cause cavities that trigger serious dental problems. Brush your teeth immediately after a meal, if possible, to avoid bacteria build-up.
 

Removing your Invisalign after you wake up every day to clean them is crucial because bacteria accumulates while you sleep. Give the trays a rinse and brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This should be a different toothbrush from the one you use with your teeth or you’ll risk putting more bacteria into your mouth. Repeat this process at night, preferably before going to sleep.
 

Washing the trays with soap can leave a bitter after taste. The last thing you want is to constantly have a strange taste in your mouth. Even toothpaste has ingredients can that leave stains to the aligners. Don’t tarnish your beautiful smile with discoloured aligners. Use the right cleaning solution!
 

An Invisalign left in the open serves as a magnet for bacteria. Therefore, you should bring their case wherever you go so that you can place the trays inside once you are not using it. The case itself should also be cleaned and dried regularly to prevent bacteria from making it their home.
 

Invisalign comes with a denture cleaner that is formulated to rinse aligners without causing any damage. You can order this cleaner from any Invisalign dentist in London when you run out of stock. Cleaning crystals can also be purchased for deeper cleaning. If the cleaner is not available, soak your aligners in cold water and scrub them with a toothbrush. Hot water should be avoided because it can warp the aligner. Are your aligners discoloured? If so, dilute a small portion of bleach in water and soak the Invisalign in it for 15 minutes. After this, immerse it in cold water to remove the bleach residue. White vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can also be used to dissolve plaque.
 

Cleaning the aligners is only one part of the equation. As your teeth alignment adjusts, you must consult an Invisalign dentist in London at once to get a new set. Using the old one will only cause discomfort and potential gum problems. Invisalign dentists will scan the new alignment of your teeth to provide a pattern for your new aligners. That data will be transferred to create a treatment plan that your dentist will go over and approve after they have ensured its suitability. The aligner will then be 3D-printed and delivered to the attending dentist who will hand it to the patient. The Invisalign kit will contain a series of aligners that must be changed every two weeks.
 

To avoid a botched straightening job, make sure your Invisalign treatment is performed by a licensed dentist. Even if you have the best dentist in the world, remember that they can’t give you great results if you don’t do your part. Keep your Invisalign aligners clean and you’ll be safely on the road to healthy, happy pearly whites! We are rated as one of the best cosmetic dentists in London - get in touch today to see how we can help.