Oral Hygiene Routine Steps & All the Instructions to Have Healthy Teeth

Written by Dr. Febin Mary George, BDS | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Zein El Hammouz, DDS, MFD/RCSI.

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Table of Contents

1. Removing Your Clear Aligners

1.1. When should you remove your aligners?

1.2 Eating out with aligners

1.3 How to remove aligners?

2. Storing Your Aligners

2.1 Can you leave your aligners in water?

2.2. How do you preserve invisible aligners?

3. Cleaning Your Invisible Aligners

3.1. How to clean your aligners?

4. FAQ’s

Clear aligners are appliances that gently correct  the alignment of your teeth. They fix misaligned or crooked teeth without the hassle of metal wires or hooks.

Here are a few simple tips to help you take care of your clear aligners and keep them clean:

infographic of do's and dont's of taking care of your aligners

Tip #1: Remove Your Clear Aligners

When should you remove your aligners?

You should wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day and remove them only in certain cases, such as: (1).

Before brushing

You can remove your aligners before brushing your teeth. Once the aligners are removed, you can brush and floss as you normally would.

woman brushing teeth while holding aligners in hand before putting them on
ImageBrush every time you remove your aligners

Before eating and drinking

Clear aligners are appliances made of strong and flexible material. However, they are not strong enough to withstand your chewing forces. Hence, you must remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than plain water. Undue forces can break the aligners and interrupt the progress of your treatment.

a woman eating after removing her clear aligners in a clean protective case

How to take care of aligners when eating out

Here are some tips on how to take care of aligners and stay prepared when eating out:

  • Always carry a clean aligner storage case with vent holes where you can keep your aligners after removal.
  • Use a washroom to remove your aligners in private if needed.
  • Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth properly before wearing the aligners back. If you are running short of time, a thorough rinse only with water should suffice.
  • Rinse your aligners with warm water and soap, or soak them in an aligner cleaning solution before putting them back on.

How to remove aligners?

You can easily remove clear aligners without the assistance of a dentist. The key is to master the proper removal technique so that you do not break or deform your aligners every time you remove them.

How do you remove aligners easily?

Here are some tips you can follow to remove your aligners easily:  

  • Start from the back and work your way towards the front. Try to detach the aligners from the back teeth first. Then, gradually move your fingers towards the front teeth until the aligners snap off.
  • Additionally, you can use an aligner removal tool with a soft hook that helps draw the aligners away from the tooth.

Should you use an aligner removal tool?

You may need an aligner removal tool in the initial days of your treatment when you are still figuring out how to wear and remove your aligners. Additionally, aligner removal tools are helpful if your aligners have attachments. You will not need them once you have mastered how to remove them.

picture showing clear aligners, eon aligner case and aligner removal tool.
ImageAligner removal tool

How often should you take out your aligners?

You can take your aligners out before eating or brushing your teeth, on average 3 or 4 times a day.

Tip #2: Store Your Aligners

Make sure to store your clear aligners in a clean and dry protective case with vent holes for air drying. Keep the storage case on a top shelf or at a height, so it remains protected from children and pets.

clear aligners put in Eon Aligner protective case when not in use
ImageAligner protective case with air vents

Can you leave your aligners in water?

No. You should not leave your aligners in water as their physical properties can change, resulting in unnecessary damage.

How do you maintain clear aligners?

Here are a few quick tips for keeping your invisible aligners clean :

  • Always rinse them once you take them out of your mouth. Never skip this step because rinsing prevents bacteria from the mouth from building up on the clear aligners.
  • Use normal or lukewarm water to clean your invisible aligners. Using hot water can cause warping, permanently damaging the aligners and modifying their fit.(4)
  • Brush your teeth before placing the aligners back into your mouth. This ensures that your aligners come in contact with only clean teeth surfaces and also reduces the chances of bad breath.

Tip #3: Clean Your Invisible Aligners

The best way to clean your aligners is using effervescent cleaning tablets and a soft toothbrush. (3) Dip your aligners in a solution formed by mixing 1-2 cleaning tablets in a bowl of water. Soak the aligners in this solution as per the manufacturer’s instructions ( fifteen to twenty minutes), then rinse with water before popping them back in. Alternatively, you can use a soft toothbrush to clean your invisible aligners under running water.

cleaning aligners with a soft toothbrush under running water
ImageClean aligner with a soft toothbrush

FAQS

References

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