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Cleaning Your Clear Aligners

Home » Blog » Cleaning Your Clear Aligners

  • Laster Orthodontics
  • January 2, 2019

There are many types of orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners, like Laster Perfect Smile aligners, continue to grow in popularity and provide multiple orthodontic benefits. As with all treatment types, clear aligners do come with a few care and maintenance challenges. One of the most popular questions patients ask orthodontists is, “what is the best way to clean aligners?”. Aligners like Laster Perfect Smile are fully removable and custom-made to fit a patient’s teeth snugly. Like teeth, aligners have crevices that can hold food particles in place, increasing the risk of bad breath and cavities. This is why cleaning them regularly is so important. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common types of clear aligners, and how to clean them, so you keep can keep your teeth fresh, and cavity free.

Different Types of Clear Aligners Available

Today, a number of different types of clear aligners are available, including:

  • Laster Perfect Smile Aligners – Laster Perfect Smile Aligners are a cost-friendly alternative to Invisalign, and personally designed by Dr. Laster of Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Laster uses detailed, precise software to create his aligners. With an in-house system, these aligners are a fast, cost-effective orthodontic solution for patients.
  • Smile Direct Club – The Smile Direct Club sells aligners designed to help you straighten your teeth at home. However, there’s no supervision from a dental professional, which means it’s possible to actually damage your bite and teeth, resulting in more serious problems. The ADA or American Association of Orthodontists do not recommend the use of Smile Direct Club.

Common Patient Complaints with Clear Aligners

Some of the most common complaints voiced by patients wearing clear aligners include:

  • Dry Mouth – Since you’ll be wearing the aligners more than 20 hours a day, it’s not uncommon to experience dry mouth over time. A dry mouth can increase the growth of bacteria on your tongue, teeth, and gums. It’s important to stay well hydrated, so drinking plenty of water daily will help flush out bacteria. If dry mouth results in chapped, cracked lips, be sure to use lip balms regularly to help keep the moisturized. You can also purchase mouthwashes designed to remedy dry mouth for use when you brush and floss.
  • Bad Breath – Some patients report that they deal with bad breath while wearing their aligners. If bacteria and food particles get trapped on teeth under your aligners, it often leaves an off-taste and bad breath.
  • Buildup – If you’re not cleaning your aligners often enough, buildup can occur on aligners, not only increasing your risk of tooth decay, but making your aligners look dirty.
  • Discoloration – Failing to remove your aligners when you consume food or drink may result in the discoloration of the aligners, especially when consuming those notoriously known for staining teeth, like coffee and berries. It is important to avoid staining your aligners, so they remain less noticeable.

Tips for Cleaning Your Aligners

As you wear your clear aligners, they’ll start to collect bacteria, so cleaning them is essential. Establishing a regular cleaning routine for your mouth and aligners will keep them both in good shape. The following tips can help with maintenance.

  • Brush and Floss Before You Wear Them – Caring for your clear aligners starts before you even put them in your mouth. Make sure you brush and floss well before wearing the aligners to remove plaque and bacteria so it’s not trapped beneath them.
  • Rinse Well with Cold Water After Removal – After you remove your clear aligners, rinse them thoroughly with cold water. This will help eliminate any food particles that became trapped in them and will keep dried saliva from building up on the plastic.
  • Never Rinse with Hot Water – As you’re cleaning the aligners, make sure you never use hot water. Hot water can alter plastic and end up ruining your aligners.

To clean Laster Perfect Smile clear aligners, use the following tips:

  • Use Antibacterial Soap for Cleansing – One of the best ways to clean the aligners is to use a little bit of antibacterial soap on them, which will help eliminate any bacteria left on the aligners.
  • Soak in White Vinegar – White vinegar may also be used to rid your aligners of bacteria. You can soak your aligners in a tablespoon of white vinegar and cold water for 15 minutes to effectively clean them.
  • Dentibrite – An aligner cleanser that can be bought on Amazon or at the drugstore. This cleaner easily, and safely, removes bacteria and buildup.
  • Brush Gently When Cleansing with Soap – When you’re using soap to clean clear aligners, use a soft toothbrush and brush very gently, so you don’t scratch the plastic.
  • Brush with a Bit of Toothpaste (non-abrasive) – You can use a bit of toothpaste to clean your aligners, but it must be non-abrasive. Toothpastes with abrasives, like baking soda, may scratch the plastic. Scratched aligners may not look as clear as you’d like them to be, making them more noticeable. Toothpaste can leave a film on the aligners if too much is used.
  • Soak in Clear Mouthwash, Denture Cleaner, or Other Cleaning Tablets – You can also soak your aligners in a clear mouthwash to clean them. Avoid blue or green mouthwash products, since they may discolor aligners. Denture cleaner and retainer cleaning tablets, like Retainer Brite, will also effectively disinfect and clean your clear aligners.

If you are in the Rolesville, Zebulon, or Raleigh, North Carolina area, Dr. Laster and the Laster Orthodontics team are available to you for your clear aligner questions.

At Laster Orthodontics, we help families develop healthy, life-changing smiles using customized treatments, cutting-edge technologies, and caring relationships. Our individualized treatment plans help our patients achieve their perfect smile in the quickest, most painless way possible by utilizing a wide range of options from traditional braces to Propel accelerated treatment to Dr. Laster’s in-house aligner program, Laster Perfect Smile. With three locations throughout the Triangle Area, we create life-changing smiles every day.

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Gwendolyn R.
My experience with Laster orthodontist was amazing. I wore liners for one year and Every visit was the same. The Entire staff are professional and very welcoming.
Meagan Y.
I've used Laster Orthodontics at the Zebulon and Rolesville locations. I prefer the Zebulon one cause it's closer to me. I chose Laster because my dentist recommended it to me. I prefer Laster over Aspen Dental because Laster doesn't make you sign up for a credit card. Laster signs you up for making payments each month. The people are nice there. You don't have to wait too long to be seen like with Aspen Dental. I straightened my teeth years ago but had to stop treatment because my priorities changed. I put college before my teeth. It's 2024 and I'm ready to straighten again. They don't judge you. And now they offer teeth whitening which is something I'm really looking forward to because Crest and Colgate toothpaste can only do so much. Can't wait to have the smile I've always wanted since middle school and my parents couldn't afford it but now I can. 5 out of 5 stars.
Jyotsana C.
I have amazing experience with Laster orthodontics. Dr Laster and his team are excellent. Office staff are very accommodating and friendly.. they r happy to offer help with concerns. Very much satisfied to choose them for both of my daughters
Ijahnai T.
My first experience at this location was awesome. Everyone is super welcoming. I can’t wait for my next appointment to get started with my treatment.
Tonia L.
They went over everything with us in detail. Everyone was very kind and answered any questions that we had. They were able to even start her braces that day!
Chavis H.
Excellent service. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great orthodontist for kids or adult needs.
Rita B.
One couldn’t feel more relaxed and welcoming if you were family, and that’s the climate there at Laster orthodontics, whether you are at the Raleigh office, the Roseville office or the Zebulon office, from the warm check In greeting at reception back to the caring hands of Dr. Laster and his Team AKERA, AUMEISHA, CHRISTINA, CRYSTAL, KAYLA 💪 💪
Effective and Efficiency has been a constant progression in restoring my smile to where I once had it. Honestly I didn’t think I stood a chance giving some absent particulars to work with. I can hardly wait to show the before and after pics so everyone can see the Great Job that was done by team at Laster Orthodontics. For anyone needing Orthodontic Care, Laster is where you wanna beeeeee 📢 📢
Tee
From day one I felt very welcomed!!!
Dr Laster and his staff are very friendly, professional personable and knowledgeable.
I also love that there are 3 locations. I highly recommend Laster Orthodontics. You will love it too!!!!
Allison V.
Attentive and patient staff. Minimal waiting in the lobby to be seen. We love it there!
Anthony B.
Love the office and the staff. So thankful that they treat us like family and not like a patient. Their kindness makes the appointment, enjoyable. They have been so great that we ended up sending all four of our children there.
Connie H.
This a a great orthodontist! Convenient office location in Zebulon. Everyone is friendly. Highly recommend this orthodontist.
Tessa E.
Everyone in the office is very kind and professional. They all have made my teenager comfortable and treated her well! She enjoyed going in for her visits! I would highly recommend this group to anyone in need of orthodontic care.
Tammy R.
I have taken 2 of my grandchildren there and we love the staff. Always so courteous and friendly. Never had a bad moment there. Going for number #3 soon.
Jeniyah J.
Laster Orthodontics is the best orthodontics i have been too. The staff are very nice and welcoming. I feel like home when i am there. Thank you so much for getting my smile exactly how i want it.
Cindy H.
Our family loves Laster Orthodontics! We are on our 5th set of braces and have one more to go. Over the years we have had appointments in Raleigh and Rolesville. Everyone is so friendly, professional and responsive. We highly recommend Dr. Laster and his staff!

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