How to care for and clean your invisible aligners

Well-cared-for aligners stay clear, odor-free and bacteria-free. The good news: the routine is simple if you do it every day.

Daily cleaning routine

1. Rinse them with water every time you take them out.
2. Brush them gently with a soft-bristle brush, inside and out.
3. Use mild soap or a specific aligner cleaner, not abrasive toothpaste.
4. Before putting them back, brush your teeth: trapping food under the aligner causes cavities and odor.

What NOT to do

• Don't use hot water: heat warps the plastic and ruins the fit.
• Don't use abrasive toothpaste: it scratches the surface and makes them cloudy.
• Don't eat or drink colored drinks with them on (coffee, wine, soda): they stain and damage them.
• Don't wrap them in napkins: it's the number-one cause of aligners thrown in the trash by mistake.

How to avoid odor

Odor appears when food remains or dried saliva are left. Besides daily cleaning, you can soak them a few minutes in a cleaning solution a few times a week. Always store them in their ventilated case, never in the open air.

Only drink water with your aligners on. For everything else, take them out.

Care when eating and storing

Always take your aligners out to eat and place them in their case. Leaving them on a napkin or in your pocket makes them get lost or broken. If you travel, carry the case and a small brush.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use toothpaste to clean them?

Better not. Most toothpastes are abrasive and scratch the aligner. Use mild soap or a specific cleaner.

How often should they be cleaned?

Rinse them every time you take them out and do a full cleaning at least twice a day, when you brush.

Can I drink coffee with them on?

Not recommended: coffee stains them and heat can warp them. Take them out and rinse your mouth before putting them back.