It is a common complaint among many dental patients who are using a removable aligner.
When the aligner is washed and clean, there may still be stains on the plastic and, as the aligner becomes more worn, it can start to taste unpleasant.
And as it is not recommended that you use mouthwash to clean invisible aligners, you may be curious if there is a cleaner designed for use specifically with invisible aligners. And there is!
Introducing cleaning crystals for invisible aligners!
In this introductory guide, common questions about cleaning crystals for Invisalign Chelsea are answered, to help you decide if you could use them to keep your invisible aligners clean and fresh.
What are they?
Cleaning crystals are designed to remove and kill bacteria that may be present on your aligners. They remove plaque, hidden germs and best of all, ensure that your invisible aligners stay invisible when you are wearing them.
They are made from a combination of sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and some other ingredients which are commonly found in toothpaste, so they are non-toxic.
How do you use them?
Firstly, you will need to remove the invisible aligners from your mouth and give them a quick rinse under a cool tap to remove any surface debris.
Then fill a glass with cool to warm water and dissolve one entire packet of cleaning crystals. Be sure to stir it to ensure that the crystals have been fully dissolved.
Drop the upper and lower aligner into the solution, and make sure they are fully submerged. Let them soak for around 15-30 minutes.
Once the soaking is over, remove them and once again, rinse the aligners under a cool tap to remove any of the stains or food debris that may have built up. If you need to, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any of the excess plaque or debris which, after that soaking, should just fall off.
How often do they need to be used?
For best results, dentists will advise patients to use cleaning crystals at least twice a day.
Remember, cleaning crystals are an additional part of your regular cleaning regime for your aligners and so, you should still clean them under cold taps as and when required to keep your teeth healthy.
Where can I buy them?
You can buy cleaning crystals online or enquire about them at your dental surgery.
They will usually come in packs of 12 sachets. If you find them to be a bit pricey, there are other solutions that you can try.
Are there alternatives?
Yes, there are; if you find that cleaning crystals are too expensive or you just dislike the taste of them, there are 3 options that you can try.
The first is using a denture cleaner to refresh your aligners and remove bacteria; these are more affordable and are easy to use. Alternatively, you could use hydrogen peroxide, just make sure that the concentration does not exceed 3%, as this can cause damage to your gums. And finally, you could use a mixture of warm water and white distilled vinegar.
