Invisalign has made a name for itself as the number one alternative to traditional braces for patients looking to straighten their teeth. It helps correct a number of dental flaws, including crowding, gapping, bite issues, etc.
If you’re an Invisalign user, you’ve probably come across or heard about the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals. If you don’t know what exactly these are and what their importance is, you have come to the right place.
This post dissects Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, putting you in the loop for everything there is to know about these products.
What are Invisalign Cleaning Crystals?
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals are a cleaning system designed and developed for Invisalign clear aligners and retainers.
Unlike braces, cleaning your Invisalign requires extra care. If still new to the product, you can check out our comprehensive Invisalign review to understand how exactly it works.
Bacteria can easily get trapped in the crevices of your Invisalign trays. This might bring forth dental concerns like plaque if not cleaned thoroughly.
Most users often damage their trays when searching for the right answers on how to clean Invisalign. However, as it is a delicate product, Invisalign requires more than just the basics to clean it up.
The crystals are used to make the aligners more hygienic, preventing bacteria buildup that would otherwise negatively impact your oral health.
Furthermore, the crystals help dissolve the plaque that could be growing inside your Invisalign trays. Although they are made of compounds clinically proven to prevent staining and odor buildup, Invisalign Cleaning Crystals are totally safe.
Why use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals?
Here are some of the reasons why getting the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals should be a part of your Invisalign treatment:
- Sanitize the system during use: these cleaning crystals have an antibacterial formula that helps get rid of bacteria that would otherwise damage your teeth.
- Prevent plaque build-up: Invisalign Cleaning Crystals dissolve plaque found in your Invisalign trays. This helps you avoid plaque affecting your teeth, maintaining good oral health.
- Maintain the color of your aligners: Invisalign aligners are known to be very clear, almost invisible. Food particles, bacteria, and plaque build-up can easily make them lose their clarity. The cleaning crystals get rid of all those, helping your tray maintain its invisible nature.
- Protect your gums: by preventing bacteria from building up in the crevices, you’re also protecting your gums from various diseases.
- Keeps your breath fresh: by getting rid of food particles, plaque, and bacteria, the cleaning crystals help you maintain a fresh breath. They do so by fighting off the odor that would have otherwise resulted if you put on your trays with plaque and bacteria.
Cleaning your trays is just one of the tips of Invisalign to amplify results. You also need to know how to use and take care of them properly.
How to use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Using the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals is pretty easy. All you have to do is soak them daily in the mixture for at most half an hour every day. This way, you can get rid of all the plaque, food particles, and odor build-up that you wouldn’t have otherwise noticed with your eyes.
Here are Invisalign Cleaning Crystals instructions to follow to achieve maximum benefits:
- Remove your aligners or retainers from your mouth.
- Rinse them under warm running water to get rid of food debris or excessive saliva.
- Fill a glass or similarly-sized closed container with warm water.
- Dissolve a packet of the cleaning crystals into the water and stir (or shake) until it fully dissolves.
- Once you get a uniform mixture, dissolve both the upper and bottom aligners or retainers into the crystal mixture.
- Ensure that your aligners are fully submerged.
- Let them soak for 15 - 30 minutes.
- Remove the aligners and rinse under warm running water.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean off any leftover plaque.
- Rinse again with warm running water to get wash off the cleaning solution.
It is as simple as these ten quick steps. Soaking for at least 15 minutes is recommended for the cleaning solution to operate optimally. The other steps won’t take you more than five minutes.
How often should you use Invisalign cleaning crystals?
You can use the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals to clean your aligners or retainers at least once or twice a day. It all depends on your convenience. Ensure that you first run them with warm water before and after soaking. The whole procedure takes between 15 and 40 minutes, so you can clean your aligners depending on your available time.
Moreover, you need to ensure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once to ensure that you get rid of all the food debris that would otherwise damage your trays.
How can you buy Invisalign Cleaning Crystals?
You can get Invisalign Cleaning Crystals by making an order online or by purchasing from your local dental supplies store. You can also get the crystals from your orthodontist. Most local dental supplies stores sell Invisalign Cleaning Crystals in packs of 50, with some getting you an Invisalign cleaning tub altogether.
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals Alternatives
Although the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals have been proven to be the best option for cleaning your aligner or retainer trays, there are other alternatives that some people use. It is a no-brainer that the average cost of Invisalign might be higher than that of other clear aligners, and you must be looking for ways to tone down your expenditure.
Let’s have a quick look at some other ways to clean your trays that could eventually save on your money:
Using mouthwash
Mouthwash is one of the most popular methods used by most people to clean their aligner trays. Although it can help kill the bacteria, it might not be strong enough to get rid of the food particles or debris. Some brands may even discolor your trays.
Using toothbrush
You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush or any other type of abrasive cleaner. However, you pose a risk of scratching your trays, which eventually creates new hiding spots for the bacteria.
Homemade cleaning solutions
Looking for a homemade solution to clean Invisalign? You can create your own solution made of Hydrogen Peroxide and water and vinegar mixed with water. A vibratory bath may be required for these mixtures to become more effective.
FAQ
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals use a sodium-based ingredient that may have a chlorine-like smell after soaking. It is recommended to rinse your trays with warm running water afterward to help get rid of the smell.
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals are made of non-toxic materials that are entirely safe for humans, even when accidentally ingested.
One of the key roles of the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals is to remove plaque from the aligners and retainers.
Your Invisalign trays should be cleaned at least once a day. Other users prefer to clean their trays up to twice a day to ensure that they leave no room for bacteria or plaque build-up.
