How to Maintain Oral Health With Clear Aligners

Wearing clear aligners can be a simple and convenient way to straighten your teeth, but keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment is just as important as wearing your aligners consistently.

Because aligners fit closely over your teeth for much of the day, good oral hygiene is essential. Food particles, plaque and bacteria can become trapped against your teeth if you don't maintain a regular cleaning routine.

The good news is that looking after your oral health during aligner treatment is straightforward.

Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

Brushing twice a day is one of the most important things you can do to protect your teeth during clear aligner treatment.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and take the time to clean all surfaces of your teeth, including along the gum line.

It's particularly important to brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in after eating.

If plaque or food particles remain on your teeth, placing your aligners over them can keep bacteria and sugars in contact with your teeth for longer.

Floss Every Day

A toothbrush can't effectively clean between your teeth, which is why daily flossing or interdental cleaning is important.

Cleaning between your teeth helps remove plaque and food debris from areas that are difficult for a toothbrush to reach.

If you have crowded teeth or tight spaces, your dentist can recommend the most suitable interdental cleaning method for you.

Clean Your Aligners

Your aligners need to be cleaned regularly as well.

Rinse them with cool or lukewarm water and clean them according to the instructions provided by your dental professional or aligner manufacturer.

Avoid using hot water, as excessive heat can affect the shape of the aligners.

Keeping your aligners clean helps reduce the buildup of bacteria, plaque and unpleasant odours.

Remove Your Aligners Before Eating

Clear aligners should generally be removed before eating and drinking anything other than water.

Eating with your aligners in can allow food and sugars to become trapped between the aligner and your teeth. It can also stain or damage the aligners.

Simply remove your aligners before meals and snacks, and place them safely in their case while you're eating.

What About Coffee, Tea and Other Drinks?

Water is the safest drink to have while wearing your aligners.

Hot drinks should be consumed without your aligners, as heat can affect the material. Drinks containing sugar or acids should also be avoided while wearing aligners because they can increase the risk of tooth decay and enamel damage when trapped against the teeth.

If you enjoy coffee, tea, soft drinks or other beverages, remove your aligners first.

Rinse After Eating

Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in.

However, that's not always practical when you're at work, travelling or away from home.

If you can't brush immediately after eating, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and clean your teeth as soon as you can.

Keeping a small oral care kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss can make maintaining your routine easier when you're away from home.

Don't Forget Your Gums

Your gums are an important part of your overall oral health.

When brushing, gently clean along the gum line and pay attention to signs such as:

• Bleeding when brushing or flossing

• Swollen or tender gums

• Persistent bad breath

• Gum recession

If you notice ongoing changes to your gums, speak with your dentist. These symptoms can sometimes indicate gum inflammation or other oral health concerns that should be assessed.

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

Clear aligner treatment doesn't replace your normal dental care.

Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor your teeth and gums throughout treatment and identify any issues early.

Your dental professional can also provide personalised advice about cleaning your teeth and aligners based on your individual needs.

At Aalto, treatment begins with an in-clinic assessment with a treating dentist, who assesses your teeth, bite and oral health before clear aligner treatment begins.

Can Clear Aligners Improve Oral Hygiene?

For some patients, straightening crowded or overlapping teeth can make certain areas of the mouth easier to clean.

However, clear aligners themselves don't automatically improve oral hygiene. Your daily habits still matter.

Maintaining good brushing and flossing habits throughout treatment is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

A Simple Oral Health Routine

Looking after your teeth during clear aligner treatment doesn't need to be complicated.

A simple routine is:

Morning

• Brush your teeth for two minutes

• Clean your aligners before putting them back in

During the day

• Remove your aligners before eating

• Drink water while wearing your aligners

• Rinse your mouth after meals when brushing isn't possible

• Store your aligners safely when they're not being worn

At night

• Brush and floss thoroughly

• Clean your aligners

• Put your clean aligners back in as instructed

Healthy Teeth and a Straighter Smile

Clear aligner treatment is designed to improve your tooth alignment, but maintaining your oral health throughout the process is just as important.

By brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth, keeping your aligners clean, removing them before eating and attending regular dental appointments, you can help keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment.

If you're considering clear aligners, book an initial assessment at an Aalto partner clinic to discuss whether treatment is suitable for your smile.