Simple Whitening Invisalign Methods
- Brush and floss religiously
- Rinse your Invisalign aligners after removing
- Clean stains from the aligners using our suggested methods
- Avoid scented mouthwash and cleaners
You need to wear your Invisalign aligners a minimum of 22 hours a day to improve the appearance of your teeth. That said, wearing these clear aligners gather debris and bacteria as you keep them on for long hours.
Luckily, teeth whitening Invisalign treatments can save you from the setbacks of wearing Invisalign. So, can you whiten your teeth with Invisalign? Of course. There are multiple ways to clean your teeth while wearing Invisalign aligners.
Scroll down if you are eager to learn what those whitening treatments are and the don’ts of cleaning them.
Dentist’s Recommended Whitening Options
When it comes to teeth whitening, a host of factors, such as hygiene, diet, and hereditary components, must be considered. All these factors contribute to the brightness and whiteness of your teeth.
After consulting with certified dentists, we came up with whitening Invisalign options to keep your teeth clean while working on their appearance.
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Whitening Gel:
Whitening gel for Invisalign is a real thing. If you have been wondering, ‘can you put whitening gel in Invisalign’ you can, for sure. In fact, your dentist will likely offer you a whitening gel after placing or recommending you Invisalign aligners to maintain your hygiene.
You would require to load the tray with the gel before fixing them onto your teeth. Wipe out the extra product on your gums or surroundings using a tissue. Leave the gel for around 90 minutes and rinse the aligner using lukewarm water.
Follow the instructions for 1 or 2 weeks before bed to see prominent results. And yes, you can sleep with your aligners and whitening gel on. Its low-intensity and completely safe.
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Whitening Toothpaste:
Whitening toothpaste is another safe way to keep your teeth white and shiny during the Invisalign process. "There are a number of good products on the market for whitening that, when used correctly, will not damage teeth," says Professor Mark Wolf at New York University College of Dentistry
Brushing and flossing twice daily using a dentist’s recommended whitening toothpaste will prevent gunk and bacteria accumulation in your clear aligners. Additionally, one must visit a certified dental hygienist every 3 to 6 months to ensure good oral health.
How to Keep your Whitening Invisalign Trays Clean?
While religiously following hygiene instructions is crucial, developing good habits can also prevent you from catching oral diseases. For instance:
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Rinse your Aligners after every Meal
Try to develop a habit of rinsing your aligners after every meal. Doing so will prevent the damage caused by chewing.
Remove your aligners after every meal and rinse them with lukewarm water to wash away saliva or accumulated food particles. Failure to do so will cause the tray to smell bad and become discolored.
Important Note: Never leave your Invisalign trays unattended or out in the open, as it will give easy access to bacteria to enter your mouth. When dining out, put your aligners in a protective box to prevent them from sullying.
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Use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals:
Invisalign aligners get stained due to regular consumption of coffee, tea, or other colored beverages. If not rinsed frequently, these stains become inevitable.
Invisalign cleaning crystals have made it easier to clean aligners off all the stains. Dilute a pack of crystals into lukewarm water and soak your trays in for 14 to 15 minutes before rinsing it using clean, warm water.
Once washed, fix them back to your teeth. Repeat the procedure once or twice a day as per your ease.
Note: After cleaning your Invisalign aligners, don’t forget to rinse them with water before putting them back.
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Using Hydrogen Peroxide:
Another effective way to whiten Invisalign aligners is using hydrogen peroxide and water. Mix 50% concentrated hydrogen peroxide with water and two tablespoons of baking soda. Mix it well and soak your Invisalign trays in the solution for several hours.
Rinse them with clean water before putting them back. ‘
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In-office Whitening:
Those who struggle to whiten their Invisalign at home can opt for in-office whitening. Dentists offer multiple whitening treatments of up to 8 shades that don’t exceed 1 to 2 hours.
Don’ts of Whitening Invisalign aligners
There are many over-the-counter instant solutions available for whitening Invisalign that may tempt you to use them to achieve whiter teeth. However, not all of them are safe.
Here we have listed some cleaners you must avoid for whitening Invisalign aligners.
- Mouthwash
- Denture cleaners
- Scented cleaners
- Colored cleaners
- Hard-bristled brushes
Using any of these would leave remnants in your Invisalign trays, leading to discoloration or a weird taste in the mouth.
At-home Remedies to be wary of:
Apart from over-the-shelf instant treatments, some prevalent at-home remedies can have reverse effects if used for whitening Invisalign.
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Apple Cider or Lemon Juice:
While apple cider vinegar and lemon juice are considered natural teeth-whitening agents, in reality, it’s the opposite. Using them may get instant shine, but gradually, it erodes enamel and leads to sensitivity.
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Activated Charcoal:
Using activated charcoal is an old-school method for teeth whitening. However, it does come with some crazy side effects. For instance, scrubbing your teeth with activated charcoal will wear down your enamel over time.
Both the home remedies will result in exposing your dentin and will eventually dull your teeth' color.
Invisalign Whitening Pen Reviews
The whitening pen is an instant product to whiten your teeth. But does it work on Invisalign or should you use it to clean your aligners?
Fortunately, a dedicated whitening pen for aligners is now safe to use for whitening Invisalign. Ideally, you should apply and keep them for 15 minutes before applying your aligners back.
As per the packaging, you can use it for up to 4 times a day without any side effects.
Can you Whiten with Invisalign Trays?
Fortunately, the Invisalign gel enables you to whiten with Invisalign trays on. Here is how you can apply it:
Step 1 - Load the Tray with the Gel:
Take out your aligners and load the tray with the product/gel up to ⅓ part from one corner to another.
Step 2 - Insert the Tray into your Mouth:
Once you have loaded the tray, place the aligners back into the mouth in front of a mirror. Clean the excess product outside of the tray, and do not swallow.
“Wear the Opalescence PF 10% Mint whitening gel for 8-10 hours or overnight” as per the instructions Walt Orthodontics team.
Step 3 - Clean the Tray and Store it Container:
Once you are done, clean the tray with a toothbrush and rinse it with lukewarm water. Lastly, store it in a dry container to prevent it from contamination.
Conclusion
To sum it up, just getting straight teeth is not enough. One must keep their dental hygiene and whitening in check during the process to achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.
It is always a good idea to follow your dentist's instructions for cleaning during the Invisalign treatment or follow our suggested cleaning methods to keep your teeth clean and white.
Note: Our suggested methods have no side effects and are dentist-approved.
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