Caring for Your Invisalign® Aligners

posted: Apr. 12, 2022.

You’ve selected the Invisalign system because of the many benefits Invisalign offers: comfort, convenience, appearance, and even potentially shorter treatment time! And to add to the good news, caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy and uncomplicated. Follow these simple tips to keep your aligners in the best possible shape as you move through the stages of your treatment.

Stay Clean

Always brush and floss your teeth before using your aligners so that bacteria and food particles will not have a chance to collect around your teeth while you wear them.
When you brush your teeth, be sure to brush your aligners with a separate soft toothbrush and lukewarm water as well.
Rinse your aligners whenever you remove them during the day.
Soak your aligners as recommended. Use the Invisalign Cleaning System or ask our Cedar Rapids, Iowa team for other suggestions to keep your aligners free from odor and bacteria.

Stay Clear

One of the reasons you chose Invisalign is for an almost invisible appearance. Why take a chance on discoloration or scratches that will make the appliance more noticeable? Here are some common mistakes that can affect the color of your aligners:

If your aligner has white spots, that might mean plaque build-up. Always rinse your aligner after you remove it and clean it thoroughly night and morning.
Brushing with anything other than a soft brush and brushing too hard can cause scratches in the material which might be noticeable. A gentle touch will work to clean and protect your aligners.
Eating with Invisalign aligners can cause staining. More important, it can cause the retention of food particles in the appliance, which can lead to dental problems. Finally, aligners are not meant for chewing—they might be damaged or lose their ideal shape even with soft foods. If you are going to be eating or drinking, take your aligners out, give them a rinse, and brush before you replace them. Or stick with water! Water will have no ill effects on teeth or aligners.
Only soak aligners in an appropriate solution. Harsh chemicals, colored mouthwashes, and even some toothpastes can dim or discolor the clear plastic.

Talk to the doctor about the best products to use and the best methods for taking care of your aligners. After all, making the process of improving your smile as easy and effective as possible is yet another benefit of choosing Invisalign!

Map & Hours

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

(Closed for lunch from: 1pm to 2pm)

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

December - April - 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Click to find out more

Broken Teeth

Even though enamel is the hardest substance in the body, teeth aren’t indestructible, and chipped, cracked, and broken teeth are among the most common dental injuries. Tooth fractures might result from accidents, trauma, tooth grinding, chewing hard objects and foods, or extensive decay. Tooth injuries ...
Read More
Apicoectomy

Root canal therapy is often enough to treat infection in the inner tooth successfully. If pain or inflammation return, however, these symptoms can indicate a new or recurring infection. In such cases, an apicoectomy is a common surgical procedure used to save the tooth and restore the health of the surrounding ...
Read More
Tooth Pain

Pain is a signal that something is wrong. Any tooth pain should be taken seriously because ignoring this symptom can lead to more serious dental and medical consequences. Among the common causes of tooth pain are decay, erosion, infection, and trauma. Tooth Decay Tooth decay begins with the bacteria ...
Read More
Orthodontic Emergencies

If you experience severe pain or a problem with your orthodontic equipment that cannot be fixed at home, you will need to contact your orthodontist immediately to get it resolved. Leaving your tooth in pain or your equipment damaged for a long period of time will ultimately set back your treatment plan. ...
Read More

Testimonials

"Dr. Scott Kleymann is a class act. Cannot share enough good things about him and his whole team. From start to finish, you will feel welcomed and valued as a patient. Phenomenal care and awesome service. My entire family now goes to Spring Valley Dental. Thanks Dr. Scott!"

John-Luke
"I’ve been coming to Dr. Brown for a while now and every visit has been great. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. I did the clear aligners to straighten my teeth and I am so happy with the results. Definitely would recommend!"

Kylie
"I had such a great experience at Spring Valley Dental with Dr. Brown! From the moment I walked in, the staff was so warm and welcoming. Dr. Brown was incredibly kind, thorough, and explained everything in a way that made me feel comfortable and confident in my care. It’s rare to find a dental office that combines professionalism with such genuine compassion. I’m so glad I found them and would highly recommend Spring Valley Dental to anyone looking for a dentist who really cares about their patients!"

Chris
""Honestly, few individuals equate a visit to the dentist with having a pleasurable experience, but the team at Spring Valley pulls this off flawlessly!!! From the dental hygienist being one of the most pleasant individuals I’ve ever met, on any level, to the quick diagnosis and treatment from Dr. Brown, I am left, dare I say, excited for my next visit. If I could give more stars I would!! Great Job everyone, I recommend Spring Valley to anyone in need of some dental care!!!""

Griffin
"Dr. Kleymann is absolutely amazing! He does an excellent job every time I go in. He is gentle, kind, thorough and extremely knowledgeable, which always puts me at ease. His entire team is just as wonderful! They are always welcoming and upbeat the moment I walk in. I genuinely love going to this office, which says a lot for a dental visit! I highly recommend Dr. Kleymann and his team to anyone looking for outstanding dental care!"

Sandra
"The team at Spring Valley Dental Care always make me feel welcome. I am always greeted with a smile and everyone goes out of their way to make each and every appointment comfortable."

Alison