Using Soaks To Clean Your Clear Aligner Braces
If you have clear aligner braces, then you will likely need to wear the aligners for a year or more to shift your teeth into position. Your cosmetic dentist or general dentist will also tell you that you need to wear the aligner for at least 20 hours a day. Some dental professionals recommend wear for as much as 22 hours a day. If you wear the aligners this much, then you may have a short window of opportunity where the braces can be cleaned. Soaking the aligners is a good way to clean them. Keep reading to learn about a few different soaks and how they work to clean the aligners.
Vinegar
When you start to wear your aligners, you may notice that they smell a bit when you take them out of the mouth. This smell may come from a variety of different sources. Food particles left in the mouth may start to decay and release odors. Also, the millions of bacteria in the mouth release foul smells as they eat away at plaque and food. This odor is typically an acidic one, since bacteria release acids as they eat. Plaque often smells as well and will stick to your braces.
If you want to remove debris from your aligners while also killing the bacteria that can make them smell, then rinse them in a solution of white vinegar. Place about four tablespoons of white vinegar in a cup and fill the rest of the cup with water. Place the aligners inside while you eat one of your bigger meals. Gently brush the braces when they are done soaking and lightly rinse them in water.
If you want to give your soak a little extra boost of bacteria-killing power, then add a few squirts of antibacterial soap to the solution. You can use this type of soap after the soak as well to kill any residual bacteria stuck to the aligners.
Invisalign Tablets
If you have a family member who wears dentures, then you may be familiar with the way that cleaning tablets are used to soak dental prosthetics. Tablets made for denture cleaning are actually made out of a material called sodium hypochlorate. This chemical typically goes by the name of bleach. The bleach is diluted and interacts with the dentures to clean and whiten them.
If your clear aligners look as though they are starting to become yellow, then you may think that denture cleaning tablets are a good choice for your braces. This is not true though. Your aligners are made from a thermoplastic material that is much more flexible and porous than the resin and ceramic used to create dentures. When bleach compounds are used to clean the aligners, they will usually stain them. Also, the bleach will eat through the top layer of the plastic and make your aligners appear dull and milky.
Instead of using a denture tablet, purchase a tablet made specifically for the cleaning of clear aligners. These tablets contain whitening agents that are safe for use with the braces. Place the tablet in a glass of water and allow the tablet to completely dissolve. Place your aligners in the cup while you eat. If the tablet alone is not enough to remove discoloration, then you can use the tablet with an ultrasonic cleaner. This cleaner should be placed on low power to gently clean the aligners.
If you have clear aligners, then you may want to deep clean the braces on occasion to get rid of smells and discoloration. Soaks can help you with this. If you have trouble with cleaning practices or soaks, speak to your dental professional for assistance. Check out websites like http://www.dentistryoffayetteville.com for more information.