One may notice their Invisalign trays or clear retainers turn yellow. This is normal and indicates how much one is wearing the trays. There are easy ways to clean.
Invisalign:
During Invisalign treatment trays are changed every 1 to 2 weeks. If a patient is at the stage whereit is necessary to change every 2 weeks, one may notice the trays are turning yellowish or perhaps look dirty. Dr.Azizi likes to see this color because, it indicates how often a patient is wearing their Invisalign trays!
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: When toothbrushing, take the toothbrush and brush the Invisalign trays inside as well as out just as one would brush their teeth. Do keep in mind it is best to stay away from any type of whitening toothpaste, as it turns the trays cloudy.
- Remove trays when eating: When it is mealtime make sure to remove the trays. This will help tremendously as food won't be able to stain the trays. Also, food will not be able to get stuck in the trays.
- Only drink clear liquids: Try to only drink clear liquids while wearing Invisalign trays since there is no way to stain them. If one is drinking coffee and tea throughout the day and don't want to leave the trays out long, just rinse the trays off right after having the coffee or tea. This will help prevent staining.
- Cleaning tablets: There are cleaning solution tablets at any drugstore, Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc. While eating a meal put a tablet in a glass of warm water along with the trays. When finished, rinse & brush the trays before putting back into the mouth.
Retainers:
Since one should be wearing their retainers all day & night and removing only to eat and brush, one may notice the retainers begin to discolor. Here are a few easy ways to keep the retainers looking new & clean.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: When toothbrushing- take the toothbrush clean the Invisalign trays inside as well as out. Just as one would the teeth. Do keep in mind it is best to stay away from any type of whitening toothpaste because it can cause the trays to turn cloudy.
- Only drink clear liquids: Try to only drink clear liquids while wearing the Invisalign trays. If one drinks coffee and tea throughout the day and don't want to leave retainer out too long, rinse the retainer right after finishing to prevent staining.
- Cleaning tablets: Cleaning solution tablets are available at any drugstore, Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc and while having a meal put a tablet in warm water with the trays and when finished eating, rinse and brush the trays before putting back in the mouth.
- Mouthwash: Place mouthwash and retainer in a cup- allow to sit for about an hour then brush and rinse. This will also help with any odor that comes from the saliva on the retainer.
- Order a backup pair: Ordering another set of retainers is a terrific idea. One may wish to keep the pair which is looking old and dirty for overnight use and wear the fresh retainer when out. In case one retainer is lost or broken, there is a backup available to use so shifting doesn't occur. One can always ask Dr. Azizi's staff for more information on ordering a backup retainer.
