Updated on

3 Best Ways to Clean Invisalign

Natalie Asmussen

Written by Natalie Asmussen

Disclosure: Links on this site may receive a commission, this does not affect the price you pay and help us cover the costs of running this website.

You’ve got your Invisalign aligners, and you’re on the path to straight teeth and a perfect smile. But it’s not all just fun and games when it comes to teeth straightening. You also have to take good care of your aligners to prevent bad breath and tooth decay and to ensure that you come out of treatment with the best version of your smile possible.

That’s why in this article, we will address the best ways to clean Invisalign. These tips will also work for most other clear aligners as well, but you may want to check with the manufacturers of your specific brand beforehand just in case. Also, if you are thinking about opting for a different brand, there are plenty of Invisalign alternatives available as well.

How to Clean Invisalign?

Wondering how to clean your Invisalign? Thankfully, Invisalign actually offers some helpful advice on their website when it comes to keeping your Invisalign aligners cleans.

General Cleaning Guidelines

To keep your Invisalign aligners clean, you can:

Best Way to Clean Invisalign

Of all the ways there are to clean retainers, clear aligners, or invisible braces, there are some that we recommend above others. Let’s have a look at some of the best ways to clean your Invisalign retainers so you can have the best oral health possible.

3 Best Ways to Clean Invisalign 1

Invisalign Cleaning System

The Invisalign cleaner system comes with a cleaning tub and 50 packets of Invisalign cleaning crystals. This system is made to keep your retainers free of odor, hygienic and clear, but removing plaque in just 15 minutes.

To use the cleaning system:

(1) Remove your aligners and rinse them under lukewarm water
(2) Place them into the cleaning tub and fill with lukewarm water
(3) Add one packet of cleaning crystals
(4) Shake the tube for 20 seconds to dissolve the crystals
(5) Gently shake again for 20 seconds
(6) Rinse the aligners thoroughly with warm water
(7) Store your crystals in a cool and dry place

3 Best Ways to Clean Invisalign 2

Invisalign Cleaning Crystals

If you’ve already purchased the Invisalign Cleaning System and run out of crystals (They should last for 50 weeks with cleaning once per week), you can buy for Invisalign cleaning crystals.

The ingredients of the cleaning crystals are sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

3 Best Ways to Clean Invisalign 3

Denture Cleaner for Invisalign

Some cleaners that can be used with both dentures and your invisible braces. These include popular brands like Retainer Brite or Dazzlepro, which is actually a UV sanitizing kit. If you have the Invisalign brand, it’s best to go with the cleaner that is meant specifically for Invisalign, so you don’t risk harming your aligners.

How To Clean Invisalign Aligners: What TO DO

There are plenty of varying tips for cleaning your Invisalign aligners, and advice will probably differ slightly even from dentist to dentist. That being said, the general guidelines are as follows:

When and How Many Times Do I Have to Clean Invisalign Aligners?

It would be best to clean your aligners at least twice daily, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and lukewarm water to gently remove stains, bacteria, and food particles. You can gently brush your aligners after every meal before putting them back in your mouth, but you should at least rinse them if you don’t brush them.

Once every few days or once per week, you should soak your Invisalign aligners in a special cleansing solution.

How To Clean Invisalign: What NOT to DO

There are a surprising amount of rules and guidelines when it comes to cleaning your Invisalign aligners, but it’s imperative that you follow them lest you ruin your trays and have to order more, delaying your treatment time and potentially costing you more as well. So, before you go about cleaning your aligners, take a look at the list of don’ts when it comes to Invisalign aligner cleaning:

how to properly clean invisalign aligners
clean invisalign aligners

You’ve invested good money into your smile, which proves that you value taking good care of your teeth. Well, taking good care of your teeth now also means caring for your aligners. If you let your aligners get dirty, you are exposing yourself to problems like bad breath and even tooth decay.

The good news is, cleaning Invisalign aligners is pretty easy, and there are a variety of options you can choose from. Whatever you do, make sure you clean both your aligners and your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth at least once a day and visit your dentist with regularity. And if you’re still trying to figure out if you want Invisalign or another brand, you can check out our in-depth Invisalign review.

Get our best Deals

Subscribe to our email list to get the lastest updates for your smile

(*) We promise we will never spam you

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.