Clear aligners can transform your smile, but to keep them working correctly, you must keep them clean. Learning how to clean your clear aligners the right way will prevent stains, bad breath, and cavities—here’s how to keep your smile on track.
How Do I Keep My Aligners Clean?
Since you need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, keeping them clean is very important. If you don’t clean them, they can become stained and make your teeth look yellow. Dirty aligners can also cause plaque buildup, which leads to bad breath, cavities, and gingivitis. It could also interfere with your treatment.
If you want your treatment to be effective, you need to keep your aligners clean. Here are some tips from our dentists that should help.
1. Remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water.
Chewing food with your aligners could damage them, resulting in costly replacements. And drinking anything besides water when you have your aligners in can leave stains on your aligners as well as your teeth.
2. Maintain a good oral hygiene routine.
During treatment, you will still need to continue flossing and brushing your teeth every day. With clear aligners, it’s best to brush after every meal, to make sure no food particles are left on your teeth when you put your aligners back on.
3. Soak your aligners.
Soak your aligners in a cleaning solution at least once a week. We can recommend correct products and soaking times based on your treatment. For example, Invisalign makes its own soaking solution specifically for their aligners. Soaking your aligners will destroy any bacteria lurking on the surface and remove the residue that makes them look cloudy.
4. Brush your aligners with water and a gentle soap.
Just like your teeth, you should brush your aligners with water and a gentle soap twice a day and rinse well so you don’t get the soap taste in your mouth. We advise getting a second soft-bristle toothbrush just to clean your aligners. Make sure the soap you use doesn’t contain dyes, as it can discolor or stain your aligners.
5. Give them a rinse.
Every time you remove your clear aligners, you should rinse them in lukewarm or cold water before putting them in their case or back in your mouth.
6. Clean your aligner case.
You also want to keep your clear aligner case clean to prevent bacteria from growing. You can use simple antibacterial soap to clean it, towel dry it, or let it air dry.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Aligners
Knowing how to clean your clear aligners is only half the battle. There are also things you need to avoid so you do not harm them or yourself. For example:
- You should avoid using hot water on your aligners. Hot water can warp the plastic, so they no longer fit correctly.
- You should also avoid using toothpaste to brush your aligners. Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch your aligners, causing them to become cloudy.
- Avoid colored soaps or soaking your aligners in mouthwash. The dyes can soak into your aligners, discoloring or staining them.
- Do not use harmful chemicals or bleach to clean your clear aligners. These substances can damage your aligners or soak into them, and you might swallow them and feel sick.
SureSmile and Invisalign Clear Aligners in South Jordan, UT
Clear aligner treatment is an effective way to straighten your teeth without all the metal. But to keep them clear and working correctly, you need to know how to clean them correctly. Keeping your aligners clean will also prevent cavities and gingivitis and keep your oral health in great shape.
At Copper Creek Dental, we want to help you get a smile you can be proud of. If you’re interested in straightening your teeth with clear aligners, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (04/28/2025) Photo by Laura Villela Beauty Designer | Brasil on Pexels