Looking after Invisalign

You’ve taken the plunge to straighten your teeth using Invisalign aligners at Cheltenham and Cotswold Dental, but how should you look after them? Here’s how to look after your Invisalign aligners, to ensure your treatment progresses smoothly.

Please remember your Invisalign aligners only work if they are worn full-time! By this we mean all of the time in the day (and night), but of course, you must take them out for eating, brushing and drinking except plain water. When you remove your aligners please keep them safely in the case. This prevents you from losing or damaging your aligners.

Make sure to clean your Invisalign aligners every day. Use lukewarm water and a toothbrush to clean the inside and outside of your aligners. Toothpaste is not recommended for cleaning your aligners as it can be abrasive, but some gentle hand wash soap can be used.

Soaking your Invisalign aligners once per week can also help to keep them fresh and clean. We recommend an aligner cleaner tablet, available at Cheltenham and Cotswold Dental.

You don’t need to keep all of your old Invisalign aligners, but always keep your previous set, just in case something happens. If something goes wrong, please let us know and we may ask you to wear your previous set of aligners until a replacement aligner is ordered. Once you have finished with your aligners, please bring them to Cheltenham and Cotswold Dental for recycling.

Sometimes we will ask you to use Invisalign Chewies. These little silicone rolls are useful for clenching your teeth on, to seat your aligners in further, since aligners only work well when they fit in fully. We will tell you if and where this is needed. We recommend clenching hard onto Chewies for a period of time in the evening when you are relaxing.

Please don’t forget to look after your teeth! Brush well with your toothbrush and fluoride toothbrush twice daily and use floss or mini-brushes between your teeth. After food, please brush or use a fluoride mouthwash to ensure there is no food left on your teeth before your Invisalign aligners go back in.

Always ensure your aligners fit in fully and let us know if not. We hope you enjoy your tooth straightening with Invisalign aligners at Cheltenham and Cotswold Dental.