If you’ve chosen Invisalign® for your child, you’re clearly committed to taking good care of their teeth. Over the next few months, you’ll begin to notice remarkable changes in the look of their smile.
That’s because your Invisalign clear aligners are working hard to gradually shift their teeth and make their mouth healthier and happier. Return the favor by teaching your child to keep their Invisalign trays clean and safe.
Dr. Maryam Sina at Dentistry for Children can help you learn how. She creates a pleasant, stress-free environment for all of her young patients and strives to make going to the dentist a pleasant experience for parents and children of all ages.
If your child wears Invisalign aligners, Dr. Sina and her team have a few tips that will help keep the trays performing at peak efficiency.
Rinse them
Every time you remove your Invisalign tray, make a habit of giving it a quick rinse under lukewarm water to keep bacteria at bay.
But be careful. Hot water can soften the plastic and make the aligner pliable, which means they won’t be rigid enough to do their job, and if you put them back in your mouth while they’re moldable, they will conform to your teeth, rather than your teeth conforming to them.
Beware of super cold water as well, as it can make the plastic brittle and susceptible to breaks and cracks.
Brush them
Just like teeth, Invisalign trays need a good cleaning a couple times a day. When you brush your teeth in the morning and evening, do the same for your trays. Use a soft brush and circular motions, and be sure to get the inside surfaces, too.
Inspect them
Take a close look at your Invisalign trays daily to see if you notice any plaque building up, just like on your teeth. Plaque makes your trays look a little milky or cloudy rather than clear.
If this happens, you may need to soak them in the Invisalign cleaning solution or a special retainer cleaning solution. But never soak them in mouthwash, which contains dye that will stain your Invisalign trays.
While you’re inspecting your trays, check for any cracks or chips in the plastic that might compromise their performance.
Remove them
Make sure you remove your Invisalign trays every time you eat. Chewing while wearing your retainer can damage them.
Also, take them out every time you drink anything but water. Any other beverage could stain them.
Handle them
Use your fingers to gently remove your aligner when it’s time to take it out. Tools or utensils can crack or break the plastic. Likewise, when you put it into your mouth, press it gently into place and resist the urge to bite down on it.
Protect them
Your Invisalign trays come with a hard case to store them during the short periods of time they’re not in your mouth. It’s important to use that case every time you take your tray out, even for a few minutes. It’s easy to drop, lose, or damage your Invisalign trays if you set them down on a counter or drop them in a backpack or purse.
If you’re curious whether Invisalign clear aligners might be a good fit for your child, or you have any questions about how to care for their Invisalign trays or their teeth as they go through the straightening process, call us or send us a message here on our website at Dentistry for Children in either Las Vegas or Henderson.
We would love to meet you and your child and help you with all of your dental needs.
