Do I have to clean Invisalign aligners every time I eat?
Invisalign gives you the freedom to take your aligners out and eat whatever you like. The trade-off is a little extra care at mealtimes. Skip it, and food and bacteria end up sealed against your teeth for hours at a time, which can lead to stained aligners, bad breath and, in the worst cases, tooth decay.
Here is exactly what to do each time you eat, and how to keep your aligners clear and fresh for the whole of your treatment.
The short answer
Yes. Every time you eat, you should rinse your aligners, then brush your teeth (or at the very least rinse your mouth with water) before you put them back in. Your aligners do not need a deep clean after every meal, but they should be brushed gently every morning and night, with a soak in Invisalign Cleaning Crystals when they need a more thorough clean.
20 to 22
hours a day your aligners should be worn
15
minutes to soak your aligners in cleaning crystals
2
times a day to brush both your teeth and your aligners
Why cleaning after you eat matters so much
When you wear Invisalign, your aligners sit snugly over every tooth. That close fit is what moves your teeth into position, but it also means anything left on your teeth after a meal is held in place, away from your saliva. Saliva normally helps to wash away food and neutralise acids, so without it, sugars and bacteria have hours to work on your enamel and gums.
Putting your aligners back in without cleaning can lead to:
- Tooth decay, as sugars and acids are trapped against your enamel
- Gum inflammation and bleeding gums from plaque building up along the gumline
- Stained or cloudy aligners that are no longer discreet
- Bad breath and unpleasant odours from bacteria trapped in the aligners
What to do every time you eat with Invisalign
Step 1
Take your aligners out and put them in their case
Remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than plain water, and put them straight into their case rather than wrapping them in a napkin. Clear aligners are very easy to lose or throw away by mistake, and waiting on a replacement set can hold your treatment up.
Step 2
Rinse your aligners in lukewarm water
A quick rinse as soon as they come out washes off saliva and plaque before it has a chance to dry onto the plastic. Always use lukewarm or cool water. Hot water can warp your aligners and stop them fitting properly.
Step 3
Enjoy your meal
There are no food restrictions with Invisalign, as long as your aligners are out. Try to eat in one sitting rather than grazing throughout the day, as every snack means more time with your aligners out of your mouth and another round of cleaning.
Step 4
Brush your teeth, and floss if you can
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste to clear food from the surfaces of your teeth and along the gumline. Flossing removes the bits trapped between your teeth that your aligners would otherwise hold in place.
Step 5
Put your aligners straight back in
Once your teeth are clean, put your aligners back in. Invisalign recommends wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day for the best results, so keeping mealtimes short really does make a difference to how well your treatment progresses.
What if you cannot brush your teeth after eating?
Life does not always allow for a full brushing routine after every meal, especially at work, in a restaurant or when you are travelling. If you cannot brush, the next best thing is to:
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water, swishing it around your teeth to dislodge any food
- Rinse your aligners under lukewarm water before putting them back in
- Brush your teeth and your aligners properly as soon as you are able to
Many of our patients keep a small travel kit in their bag or car with a folding toothbrush, a travel-sized toothpaste, some floss and their aligner case. It makes cleaning on the go quick and easy.
How to clean your Invisalign aligners properly
Your aligners do not need a deep clean after every meal, but they do need regular, gentle cleaning to stay clear and hygienic. We recommend cleaning them every morning and every night when you brush your teeth.
Your daily cleaning routine
- Rinse your aligners in lukewarm water.
- Gently brush the inside and outside using a soft-bristled toothbrush. It is a good idea to keep a separate brush just for your aligners.
- Use a small amount of clear, unscented soap or a non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid whitening or gritty toothpastes, which can scratch the plastic and make it look cloudy.
- Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water before putting them back in.
A deeper clean with cleaning crystals
For a more thorough clean, Invisalign Cleaning Crystals are made specifically for aligners. Dissolve one sachet in lukewarm water, soak your aligners for around 15 minutes, then rinse them well. This helps to keep them fresh, clear and free from odour.
Do
- Store your aligners in their case whenever they are out
- Rinse them every time you take them out
- Brush your teeth before putting them back in
- Use lukewarm or cool water only
- Drink plenty of plain water throughout the day
Avoid
- Hot water, which can warp the plastic
- Whitening or abrasive toothpastes
- Soaking aligners in coloured mouthwash, which can stain them
- Drinking tea, coffee, wine or fizzy drinks with aligners in
- Wrapping aligners in a napkin or tissue
Frequently asked questions
Can I just rinse my aligners instead of brushing them?
A rinse in lukewarm water is fine after meals during the day. However, rinsing alone will not remove the film of plaque that builds up on aligners, so they should still be brushed gently every morning and night.
Can I drink with my Invisalign aligners in?
Plain, cool water is the only drink we recommend while your aligners are in. Hot drinks can warp the plastic, and sugary, acidic or dark drinks can stain your aligners and get trapped against your teeth. Find out more in our guide to the drinks to avoid while wearing Invisalign.
What happens if I put my aligners back in without brushing?
Doing it once in a while is not a disaster, but making a habit of it traps food and bacteria against your teeth for hours at a time. Over the course of your treatment, that increases the risk of decay, gum problems and stained aligners. If you cannot brush, always rinse your mouth and your aligners with water as a minimum.
Why are my aligners cloudy or smelly?
Cloudiness and odour are usually caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria, or by drinking something other than water with your aligners in. Brushing them gently twice a day and soaking them in cleaning crystals will usually solve the problem. If your aligners stay cloudy, mention it at your next check-up.
Should I still see the hygienist during Invisalign treatment?
Yes. Regular hygiene visits are especially helpful during aligner treatment, as they remove hardened plaque that brushing can miss. At Blessing Dental Care, our hygienist appointments include the option of Airflow cleaning, a gentle and effective way to keep your teeth and gums healthy while your smile is being straightened.
Invisalign in Paisley
Ready to start your Invisalign journey?
At Blessing Dental Care in Foxbar, Paisley, our dentists guide you through every stage of Invisalign treatment, from your first consultation to your final aligner, including how to look after your aligners day to day. Treatment starts from £2,500, with 0% finance available to help spread the cost.
Orthodontic consultations are £49, or free for existing patients. See our full price list.
