Dr. Trecker and Dr. Lopez are pleased to provide clear aligners for our patients wanting to straighten their teeth without visible brackets and wires. Many of our patients in Springfield, Massachusetts have successfully used the Invisalign® orthodontics clear aligner system to align their smile discreetly.
If you are investing time and energy into wearing aligners 22 hours a day, you will definitely want to care for them properly to support their integrity as they shift your teeth into place. We have four easy steps to help you take good care of your aligners as they straighten your smile:
Step 1: When you take your clear aligners out to eat, rinse them with cold water to remove bacteria and saliva residue. Don’t clean them with hot water as heat can warp the material and impact their integrity. This also means you don’t want to run them through the dishwasher.
Step 2: Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in. You want to remove food particles and oral debris which invite plaque and promote tooth decay.
Step 3: You can safely clean your aligners with antibacterial soap, just rinse well to remove soapy residue before you put them back on your teeth. While toothpaste seems like a good idea for cleaning your aligners, it can actually scratch them and make them more noticeable when you wear them.
Step 4: While mouthwash is a great way to kill germs, oral rinses with green or blue coloring can tint your aligners and make them more visible when wearing. Instead, soak them in denture or retainer cleaner to avoid the hazards of discoloration.
Do you have questions about caring for your clear aligners in Springfield, Massachusetts? Please call our Trecker and Lopez Family Dentistry team at 413-782-5159 to find out more or to schedule a consultation. Dr. Trecker and Dr. Lopez are happy to help you receive the excellent care your smile deserves with Invisalign orthodontics!