Invisalign Procedure

[hamtaro]

Hi,

I just received my aligners and I'm wondering what people's routines are when they eat. Do you take it off, rinse it, and put it in the aligner kit? Should I wipe off any excess water before I put it back in the kit? After eating, do you wash the aligner again before putting it back on? Do you brush your teeth or just swish with water before putting it back on?

I would like as much detail as possible!

My other question for those that have gaps at the front. I always see water or saliva build up where my gaps are. That is what makes the Invisalign visible. Does anybody else have this problem? If so, how do you get rid of that?

Thanks in advance!!

[kezzakattami]

I had the same saliva 'issue' at points during my treatment but its just something you have to live with unfortunately!

When I eat I give the aligners a good brush under running water and soak them in water whilst I eat. After eating, I do the usual brush, floss and rinse and pop the trays back in...nice and fresh. I find that keeping the trays in water helps stop any hard icky stuff building up.

I soak my aligners in a denture cleaner every other day and I find this does the trick in giving them a 'deep clean' and keeps them smelling fresh (I have been using Invisalign for 8 months now and no complaints of bad breath or cavities yet!!)

You will find a routine that works for you, but I understand that initially its comforting to hear what others do! Good Luck

[mommamorin]

Hi
I had the same saliva issue as well.

When I am to eat, I take out the aligners and give them a good rinse and then put them in the case. (I have since in the last week however, been soaking them in water in a denture cup as people here have suggested and I find the aligners do stay cleaner)
After eating I brush and floss, brush my aligners and put them back in.

[hamtaro]

Thanks for the input so far.

Do you dry off the aligners before putting them back on?

[kezzakattami]

I dont feel theres any need, as long as they are clean before you put them back in!

[mommamorin]

After brushing and a good rinse I give them a quick shake to get the excess water out and pop them back in. No, I don't dry them. My thought is you're asking if we dry them to relieve the saliva issue?? I personally don't believe it would make any difference, the saliva will get in there no matter what.
good luck!

[hamtaro]

Hey, sorry for the ambiguity.
What I meant was drying them after rinsing them, but that has been answered. I found there wasn't a need either.

Thanks!

[gap]

I had a central incisor extracted, which has left a glaring gap in the centre of my lower arch. I find the saliva build up masks the gap nicely. Unless you really look closely, you will not notice a tooth missing. (Thanks to the saliva!) No need for a pontic tooth at all.

I agree with the floss, brush, rinse routine. Seems to work for me.

[myhollywoodsmile]

I do exactly the same as Mommamorin. As regards drying them after cleaning, I don't do it. In fact the assistant that showed me how to fit my aligners told me to put water into them before inserting them. She claimed it gave a better fit although I can't for the life of me remember why. I haven't ever done it- I completely forgot about it until now!

[steven02]

Yeah I agree, the important thing is it's clean and fresh.