Clear aligners are a revolutionary means to straighten the teeth and improve the smile. In contrast to conventional braces the range of revolutionary orthodontic appliances offers convenient and discreet ways to straighten the teeth. Being easily removable you can take the aligners out from the teeth whenever you want. While undergoing teeth straightening treatment using clear aligners it is utmost important to take proper care of your oral health. Actually practising great overall oral hygiene is a smart investment that invariably pays off in a number of ways throughout one’s lifetime.

When you take sound care of your teeth and the gums while using orthodontic teeth aligners, your treatment pays off even more. Brushing and flossing the teeth are obviously crucial steps in maintaining optimum oral hygiene. But along with that it is also important to keep your aligners clean says a dentist associated with the famous dental practice in London the Chatfield Dental Braces. When both your aligners and the teeth are clean there is no chance of funk or plaque build-up. Orthodontic aligners get dirty mostly of the foods you eat. But do you really have to brush the teeth every time after a meal or a snack when you are on aligners? Let us explore what experts have to suggest about this.

The number of times you should brush the teeth a day with aligners

It has already been mentioned above, maintaining optimum oral hygiene is simply crucial when you are on clear aligners. When you are on a journey with these orthodontic appliances then it is important to brush the teeth religiously every morning and night. Brushing twice a day is good but you may also brush after every tiny snack and ofcourse meal. The aligner trays are likely to trap harmful bacteria and microbes if those are not cleaned thoroughly. Especially when you are on Invisalign you have to wear the aligner trays 22 hours a day. You are only supposed to remove the trays when there is a serious need. It is important to take the aligner trays out of the mouth before you eat or drink anything other than plain water. Once you are through with eating brush the teeth and then place the aligner trays back in place. Food often builds up in these appliances. Thus the aligner trays get dirty and funky. Even sipping on a steaming cup of coffee may apparently seem harmless. But that may lead to unsightly stains on your clear transparent aligners. As a result the treatment will not remain discreet anymore. Along with the teeth it is also important to clean your aligner trays before you slip those on. Consider using an aligner cleaner for the purpose. There are many commercially manufactured products in this category. Some of the products even prevent bad breath and stain on your trays.

Is it okay to frequently brush the teeth while you are on aligners?

The earlier people become aware about importance of brushing, the better. As you become more and more aware and conscious keeping the teeth and the gums healthy and free from diseases the more you learn how dental hygiene affects other aspects of your overall health and wellbeing. To cut a long story short keeping the mouth healthy is a major health goal for every individual irrespective of age. As a responsible individual you must know how many times you should brush the teeth a day to keep the mouth healthy when you are on aligners. You should also be aware of the importance of cleaning the teeth and the mouth after every meal before wearing back the aligners.

While brushing the teeth while you are aligners you must be careful to avoid the following –

Brushing too aggressively

It is obvious that are in a hurry to place the aligners back on the teeth again. So, you may want to finish off the brushing task quickly. While brushing fast you may brush the teeth harder. This may hurt the gum tissues and may also damage the outer enamel coating of the teeth. Do not be too hurry with your brushing. Use a toothbrush having soft bristles. Apply gentle pressure of the hand while brushing. Move the toothbrush in soft circular motions to cover all the three surfaces of the teeth. Take time with your brushing so that the toothbrush can reach out to every area of your mouth.

Do not brush the teeth immediately after having any acidic food or drink

acidic foods and drinks temporarily lower the pH balance in the mouth. Thus the protective covering of the teeth or the enamel becomes soft and weak. When you brush the teeth immediately after having any acidic food or drink you stand the risk of damaging the enamel covering. So, what should you do after eating or drinking anything acidic? You are going to wait for some before brushing the teeth. Meanwhile drink lots of water and rinse the mouth well with plain water before brushing.

When you are on any orthodontic treatment and wearing aligners there is no need to brush more than twice daily. But make sure you brush properly and effective to remove plaques and other harmful build-ups. If you eat throughout the day then make sure to rinse the mouth well with water every time after eating before wearing the trays back on the teeth.

Tips to take proper care of your aligners

When you take the right care of your orthodontic aligners you secure positive result from your treatment. Just like brushing the teeth in the right way is vital to maintain oral hygiene so is proper cleaning of the orthodontic appliances or aligner trays.

Here are few tried and tested tips to properly clean your teeth-straightening aligners.

Baking soda and white vinegar

Prepare a solution by adding white vinegar and baking soda to lukewarm water. Make sure the water is only lukewarm and not hot. Hot water may damage your custom-made plastic aligner trays. Drop your aligner trays into the solution and leave those for some time for best results.

Water and any soft dish soap

One of the best dentists for invisalign in London suggests alternatively you can also prepare a mixture using any normal, mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Soak your orthodontic appliances in the solution for some time. Before wearing the aligner trays back on the teeth make sure to rinse it well with water to remove the dish soap.