Congratulations on your new aligners or clear retainer! You are one step closer to a beautiful, even smile. Before you begin wearing your aligners, there are a few important care tips you should be aware of. These tips will help you keep your aligners or retainers looking their best and lasting as long as possible.
Take them out to eat
No, you don’t need to buy them dinner, but you do need to remove them from your mouth before eating. You can drink with them in, but we recommend only drinking water while wearing your aligners. If you drink something other than water, rinse the aligners and your mouth with water once you are finished with your beverage. Never ever wear them while drinking hot liquids like coffee or tea.
Stay cool
Due to the delicate and flexible nature of your aligners, it is not a good idea to get them too hot. This could cause the plastic to change shape. Instead, clean them in warm water and, again, make sure you take them out when consuming hot beverages.
Clean them properly
Keeping your aligners looking their best requires cleaning them regularly. To do this, you should scrub gently with a toothbrush, but don’t use toothpaste as it is too abrasive and could damage the plastic. Instead, use a mild antibacterial soap and rinse well. You may also use a retainer soak or a denture cleanser as long as they are not colored, as this could stain your aligners!
Care for the teeth underneath
Before you put your aligners back into your mouth, be sure to clean your teeth properly. This includes brushing, flossing or at the very least rinsing your mouth with water prior to putting the retainer back into place. This protects your teeth and your retainer.
Rinse, repeat
Remember to rinse off aligners between uses, and when they are not in your mouth, be sure to store them in their case or in a cleaning solution so you do not accidentally lose them or break them.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Abelar, please call (858) 866-9692.
