Properly clearing food from your aligners helps prevent complications and keeps your smile on track
Food trapped between your aligners and teeth can lead to bad breath, plaque buildup, and even tooth decay
The good news is that safely cleaning your aligners is simple if you follow a few key steps
Avoid wearing aligners during meals or when drinking anything other than plain water
Doing so eliminates the risk of debris becoming trapped
If you accidentally eat with your aligners in, take them out as soon as possible
Gently flush the aligners with cool water to wash away surface residue
Avoid hot or boiling water—they’ll distort the aligner shape and compromise alignment
Use a clean, gentle brush specifically reserved for your aligners to avoid cross-contamination
Avoid using toothpaste at first, especially abrasive or whitening types, because they can scratch the surface
A dentist-recommended cleaning solution or hypoallergenic soap works best
Only use a tiny amount of non-abrasive toothpaste and rinse thoroughly afterward
After brushing, rinse the aligners again with cool water
Then place them back in your mouth or store them in their case with a small amount of clean water
Avoid leaving them dry for long periods because that can cause them to become brittle
Clean your aligners twice daily, synchronized with your oral hygiene schedule
A gentle baking soda soak can lift persistent grime without damaging the material
Never skip the final rinse—residue can irritate your gums or mouth
Avoid all strong chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or colored mouthwashes
Such substances may discolor, weaken, or leave toxic films on your aligners
And always wash your hands before handling your aligners to avoid transferring bacteria
Making alignment care a priority leads to better results and 東京 前歯矯正 long-term oral health
Consistency is the key to success