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How to Clean Invisalign Retainers/Aligners

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

BHO-grey-man
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • October 31, 2022

At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we know Invisalign. Since BHO was founded in 2008, we have been using Invisalign to correct a range of orthodontist issues throughout the greater Los Angeles area. From correcting minor misalignment to treating severe problems with hybrid methods, the team here at BHO is well-versed in creating Invisalign plans to create beautiful, healthy smiles. 

Of course, it’s essential that all Invisalign users practice basic oral hygiene for optimal results. That doesn’t just mean twice-daily brushing and flossing—Invisalign patients also need to clean their retainers/aligners on a daily basis.

Although patients switch out trays every few weeks during treatment, aligners constantly come into contact with a host of foreign materials, including:

  • Food bits
  • Bacteria
  • Miscellaneous debris

Without regular aligner cleanings, these materials accumulate and contribute to plaque build-ups and a mounting threat of dental decay.

Fortunately, it only takes a small amount of effort to keep aligner trays in tip-top shape. In this blog post, we take a close look at how to clean Invisalign retainers/aligners and then answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding proper Invisalign hygiene:

How to Clean Invisalign Retainers

To keep your mouth healthy throughout Invisalign treatment and stay on track with your treatment, it’s important to regularly clean your retainers/aligners. Thankfully, once you know how to clean Invisalign retainers, it’s easy to make it part of your daily routine.

Unless your trays are extraordinarily dirty, a simple nighttime rinse and brush are all that’s needed to keep retainers/aligners in good condition. Follow these steps to keep your aligners clean and free of debris:

  1. Run cool or lukewarm water from your sink faucet
  2. Hold the retainer/aligner in the water stream
  3. Take a mechanical or electrical toothbrush and gently scrub the inside and outside of the tray (it is preferable to use a new toothbrush that you don’t use on your teeth)

Once you have completed these steps, you can either place the aligners back in your mouth or you can soak them for a more thorough clean. Although daily soaking isn’t necessary, it is a good practice to soak your trays on a weekly basis to avoid plaque buildup. 

If you choose to soak your retainers/aligners, we recommend that you use one of these two soaking products:

  • The Invisalign cleaning system (contains 50 packets of cleaning crystals and a soaking tub)
  • Polydent denture cleaner

As you may expect, the Invisalign cleaning system is Invisalign’s official soaking product recommendation. However, the cleaning system is significantly more expensive than Polydent without delivering many additional benefits. If you want to save some money while keeping your trays clean, Polydent will work just fine. 

Now that we’ve reviewed how to clean Invisalign retainers, let’s take the time to answer some frequently asked questions about aligner upkeep.

Invisalign Hygiene FAQs

When patients begin Invisalign treatment, questions are to be expected. Beyond patient-specific topics like “How long will my treatment last?” and “Will I need a new retainer once treatment is over?” some of the most common questions we receive involve basic aligner upkeep. 

FAQ #1: What Can I Do to Keep My Aligners as Clean as Possible?

Aside from daily rinsing and weekly soaking, there are some additional best practices to keep aligners in top shape:

  • Keep a retainer/aligner case on you at all times to store trays when eating, drinking, or running
  • Do not drink anything aside from water when wearing your retainers/aligners
  • After eating, it is ideal to both brush your teeth and rinse your retainers/aligners before placing the trays back in your mouth. If you cannot brush your teeth, at least rinse your mouth with water before wearing your retainers/aligners again.

FAQ #2: What Should I Do About Calcium Deposits?

Notice a white film on your retainers/aligners? Chances are that film is either a calcium deposit or tartar buildup. And if you’ve tried to brush it away, you’ve likely noticed that it isn’t as easy to clean as it initially appears. 

Fortunately, calcium deposits are easy to remove with the help of a quick soak. Simply follow our soaking instructions above to eliminate your calcium deposit problem. 

FAQ #3: What Should I Avoid When Cleaning My Invisalign Retainers/Aligners?

Although it isn’t difficult to clean Invisalign retainers, there are a few common mistakes that we see patients make when performing aligner care. To prevent damage to your aligners, make sure to follow these instructions:

  • Do not rinse your aligners with hot water (cold or lukewarm water will not cause warping)
  • Do not use toothpaste when scrubbing your retainers/aligners (many toothpastes are abrasive enough to scratch Invisalign trays)
  • Do not soak your retainers/aligners in mouthwash, soap, or any other unapproved cleaning solution

By avoiding these common mistakes and closely adhering to BHO’s cleaning instructions, you can keep your retainers/aligners clean, clear, and plaque-free throughout treatment. 

Have More Invisalign Questions? Beverly Hills Orthodontics Has Answers

Recognized as one of the top Invisalign providers in the country, Beverly Hills Orthodontics offers Invisalign services to both teens and adults. Along with conventional braces and accelerated orthodontic treatments, Invisalign forms the backbone of BHO’s services.

With locations in Beverly Hills, Studio City, Alhambra, or Downtown LA, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is here to help you improve your smile. Whether you want to know how to clean Invisalign retainers or what to expect from treatment, we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to get started.

Your Smile Is More than just two rows of teeth - it's how you show your personality to the world.

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Before finding BHO, I had consultations both telling me traditional braces were my only option. I knew my case would be a bit challenging but as an adult, metal braces weren't going to work... for me, aesthetically speaking. I'm so glad I followed my instincts and gave BHO a shot! From the moment I walked in, I knew this was the place. Modern amenities with a super friendly staff explaining everything along the way - what a great first impression! I just started my treatment and can't wait to see my results! Dr. Madan and her team are legit! Don't hesitate to get the smile your deserve!read more
Nydia J.
Our entire experience with the staff and services at Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been fantastic. Their knowledge, advice and care has been exceptional and I have no hesitation in... recommending them to anyone looking for first class orthodontic care. Special shout outs to Dr Madan and Gabriel for their above and beyond care❤️read more
Juliet P.
What a wonderful experience. Dr. Madan and the entire staff are professional, kind, and very understanding. So far they have made the experience of Invisalign extremely easy. I just wish I... had gone there sooner!read more
Claire P.
I recently relocated to Los Angeles and not long after being here needed to have some repair dental work done and did not know where to turn. I was given a referral to Dr. Madan and could... not be happier. I was able to receive an appointment really quickly and was advised of an immediate plan of action to get my corrective work going. Dr. Madan is extremely knowledgeable about her craft and to top it off, she has a great temperament that instantly put me at ease and made me feel like she genuinely cared. Her Beverly Hills office is vibrant, with really friendly & pleasant staff, who make you feel comfortable and bring all the right vibes! No question I would recommend Beverly Hills Orthodontics to anyone looking to have work done on their teeth and perfect their smile.read more
Dionnee H.
Dr. Madan and her team at BHO are truly amazing. She has treated myself and my daughter and we both now have BEAUTIFUL smiles because of her. She is an expert at what she does and is... caring and attentive. I recommend this office to everyone all the time!!!!!! The best!!!read more
Mia C.
Tia literally invented the Invisalign game. Changing lives one smile at a time.
William S.
BHO is the only place where you'd want to get your braces done! Their staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Their helpdesk staff always greet you with a smile on. Dr. Madan and her team... of technicians are always ready to answer all of your questions, address any concerns and get you on the road to obtaining the perfect Smile.read more
Bella M.
Amazing people and amazing results-Highly recommend
Ben S.
I’m impressed by the technology and professionalism of Beverly Hills Orthodontics. They are knowledgeable about my unique orthodontic needs and were able to provide recommendations on my... treatment as an adult patient. I’m very excited to begin my Invisalign journey!read more
Victoria G.
Best Orthodontics around! Dr. Madan and her amazing team are always on point, bringing both my kids beautiful smiles. Have been coming to the BH office for several years now and absolutely... love the results and customer service! Would (and have) highly recommended them!read more
J I.
We had a terrific experience with Dr. Madan. They always worked with our schedule and made us feel welcome and happy at each appointment.
Audrey K.
Great experience. Treatment was quick and easy for me and the staff was great to deal with and professional. I’m very happy with my new smile.
Steve V.
I usually don’t do many reviews but I had to for this office! I am myself a Pediatric Dentist and I researched for the best office for my daughter. She just finished her Invisalign ... treatment at Beverly Hills Orthodontics and we are so happy with her smile! I have been practicing Dentistry for over 20 years and I am so impressed with the team here. From the front desk to the Doctors and their assistants, everyone has made our experience so wonderful! As a Dentist, I would recommend BHO for anyone wanting to improve their smile😊read more
Nina G
BHO is awesome and Dr. Monica Madan and their team are so friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I started with some aesthetic improvements for my wedding photos and was very impressed... with the initial results. However, I had a major cross-bite that would typically require surgery to correct, which wasn’t appealing. After consultation with Monica she thought it would be possible to correct with Invisalign so we decided to proceed for the long haul. While it’s been a long time, the results have been outstanding. I wasn’t sure I would be able to be B withstand that long of the treatment and achieve these results but after seeing the progress it’s been very encouraging and motivating to stick with it. I’m likely on my last refinement and the before and after is remarkable and transformative. Their office is always bright, clean, and has a lively vibe going on. Always feel good being there and better when I leave. Couldn’t recommend them more highly enough. Monica has done a great job building this out and creating a great team and experience.read more
Matt W.
Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been a wonderful experience. The team are extremely professional and experienced. I completed my Invisalign treatment today and had enameloplasty and zoom... whitening to complete the treatment. I’m so happy with the results. Dr. Madan, Gabriel, and the rest of the team listened to my concerns, set up several check-up appointments with me to follow my progress, and provided me with refinements when my teeth were being stubborn. The office is also a great atmosphere with current music playing, friendly staff, and amazing views of Los Angeles from the dentist chair! I would highly recommend this orthodontic practice. Thank you, everyone!read more
Sophie D.
Great overall service staff was very helpful with explaining process. Would highly recommend as it was a smooth process with no surprises along the way.Would like to highlight the... multiple locations which make it easy for scheduling appointments dependent on where you live or what part of LA you will be in that day.read more
Sean M.
My son and daughter have been coming here for years! Absolutely love them.
Tarja C.
I started my Invisalign treatments here and the staff was really friendly and patient with all my concerns and questions. Love it!
Jana M.
Super great experience! Came in for my consultation around the beginning of the year with a plan in mind to have my teeth straight before graduation through Invisalign and the BHO team... completely surpassed my expectations. My USC graduation is in 2 weeks, I just got my brackets off and smile is looking awesome. Annabel and Gabriel were so welcoming, friendly, and made the experience that much better. Dr. Madan was awesome she was always around and extremely hands on, great personality! Definitely come here if you’re looking for an orthodontist!! 10/10! :)read more
Eva P.
Really great experience so far, especially compared to other ortho places where I've had treatment before. For example, my partner went to another place and doesn't hear from them for... months at a time, whereas this place uses an app to keep in touch every week.They were running a special when I signed up which took nearly $1,000 off invisalign - super helpful considering the price!!! I don't think it runs all the time so you might want to ask them - but they combined it with my dental insurance so the cost came out really affordable... less than $100/month for 12 months.Even when I needed tooth filing, attachments, and refinements across multiple visits, they were super kind and flexible to meet my very very hectic schedule definitely recommend going here!read more
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