Invisalign Home Care Tips

Your aligners can only move your teeth when they’re in place. For best results, you should wear them 20 to 22 hours a day, only taking them out to eat, drink anything besides water, and brush or floss.

Missing time can slow your progress or cause aligners to feel tight when you put them back in. If you forget to wear them for a stretch, call our team and we’ll let you know whether to extend your current set or move forward.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a clear, unscented liquid soap to clean your aligners every day. Rinse thoroughly with cool—not hot—water. Avoid using toothpaste, which can scratch or cloud the plastic.

Don’t soak aligners in mouthwash or other cleaners unless instructed. If you want extra clarity, ask us about products specifically made for Invisalign cleaning.

After eating or drinking, always brush and floss before putting your aligners back in. Even small food particles left behind can lead to cavities, staining, or bad breath once trapped under the plastic.

If you’re on the go and can’t brush, rinse your mouth and aligners with water and brush as soon as you can. Keeping both clean is the best way to stay on schedule.

When your aligners aren’t in your mouth, they should be in their case—every time. Wrapping them in a napkin or tossing them in a bag is the fastest way to lose or damage them.

If a tray cracks or goes missing, don’t panic. Call our office and we’ll guide you on whether to move forward or request a replacement.

You’ll switch to a new set of aligners about every one to two weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Stick to the schedule unless we advise otherwise, and never skip ahead without checking in.

Each set is designed to make small, planned movements. Changing too early—or too late—can interrupt your progress and extend your total treatment time.