Homemade and commercial alternatives to using the Invisalign Cleaning System ®.
Invisalign is registered trademark of Align Technology, Inc.Alternatives to using the Invisalign ® cleaning system.
We've seen a number of reports from Invisalign ® patients describing the method that they use to clean their clear braces. We have listed them below on this page. Some of these cleaning alternatives involve the use of a commercial preparation. With others the cleaner is homemade. All of these methods are similar in the fact that they have a lower cost (often significantly so) than the Invisalign Cleaning System ® and have not be noted to cause any readily visible change or damage to an aligner's appearance. (How to test the use of a new cleaning system with Invisalign ® clear braces.)
- I) Brushing clear braces with a toothbrush.
As mentioned on the first page of this discussion, the same type of debris that accumulates on your own teeth (dental plaque and tartar) will accumulate on your clear braces too. And just as there is a need for you to mechanically cleanse your teeth (by way of brushing and flossing them), Invisalign ® aligners can (and should) be brushed too.
Any soft-bristled toothbrush should be suitable for this task (manual or electric). Due to the narrow confines of an aligner's interior, a small child's toothbrush is probably the best choice. As an alternative, some people report using Q-tips to clean the interior surfaces of their clear braces.
Toothpaste isn't the best choice for cleaning clear braces. Many types of toothpaste, especially "whitening" toothpaste, contain abrasives that can, over time, create enough micro-scratches on aligner's surface that (collectively) they start to become apparent. Instead you should either use just plain water when you brush your aligners or else use water and a mild dishwashing detergent. Even the small amount of residual toothpaste that can remain on a brush after use might, over time, begin to dull an aligner's surface. For this reason, it is best to dedicate a brush just for use with your clear braces.
- II) Using soaking solutions with removable braces.
We've seen a number of different soaking solutions mentioned by Invisalign ® patients as the method they have chosen for cleaning their aligners. We have listed them below along with a mention of those strengths each one might have.
In all cases the effectiveness of any soak can be enhanced if it is used in conjunction with a vibrating bath (either a sonic, or better yet, ultrasonic cleaning unit). The agitation that these units impart to the soaking solution can help to dislodge micro-particles of debris that can remain adherent to aligners even after a thorough brushing.
Another factor to understand about soaks is this. Soaking solutions are intended for use with your aligners only. Any residual soaking solution that remains on your clear braces after cleaning should be thoroughly rinsed off before they are inserted back into your mouth.
It's important to avoid a heated environment when you clean your Invisalign ® braces.Any method that you do choose to use to clean your Invisalign ® clear braces must not involve the use of heat or hot liquids. Invisalign ® aligners are vacuum-molded appliances fabricated from sheets of thermoplastic resin that has been softened with heat and then suctioned it down over a model of your teeth. Exposing your invisible braces to any type of heated environment might allow them to soften and become distorted.
A) Commercially prepared products.
- SonicBrite / Retainer Brite
SonicBrite and Retainer Brite are two commercial products whose instructions specifically state that they are compatible for use with clear braces. These products are simply combined with water to create a soaking solution. The makers of SonicBrite and Retainer Brite both state that their product is capable of removing stain and is anti-microbial (kills bacteria and other micoorganisms).
Both of these companies offer a battery-powered vibrating bath for sale that can be used to enhance the cleansing action of their product (these same vibrating baths could also be used with any other type of soaking solution to enhance their cleaning abilities). For those who like the idea of buying a commercially prepared product, these cleansers offer a more cost-effective solution than the Invisalign Cleaning System.
- Effervescent denture cleansing products. (Efferdent, Polident, Kleenite and generic equivalents.)
Commercially prepared effervescent denture cleaning products (tablets, powders, crystals and foams) can be used to clean invisible braces. Just as you might expect, the precise formulation of each brand's product will vary but, in general, these products typically contain an oxidizing compound that is capable of killing microorganisms and removing stains, as well as an effervescing agent that helps the product to dissolve and also provides some limited mechanical cleansing action. They also typically contain a tartar removing agent (chelating agent) and various detergents, enzymes, dyes, flavorings and fragrances. The fact that generic versions of this type of denture cleaning products are readily available makes this cleaning approach a very cost-effective choice.
B) Homemade cleaning solutions.
Many people choose to use homemade solutions to clean their Invisalign aligners. Besides the convenience of already having the products needed to make these solutions already on hand, they also happen to be incredibly inexpensive.
Each specific type of homemade cleaner will have its own particular strengths and we've made mention these below. Because of this you may find that one type of cleaner is best for you because it tends to address the type of cleaning needs that you tend to require. If not, you might consider creating a regimen that involves rotating through the use of each of these homemade solutions over time, for the very reason that each does have its own specific strengths. And, just as with commercially prepared products, the use of a vibratory bath will enhance the cleaning action of each of these homemade cleaning solutions too.
- Diluted hydrogen peroxide solution.
Dilute hydrogen peroxide in half with water and use it as a soaking solution. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial/ antimicrobial properties. This type of cleanser would not be expected to be especially effective at removing tartar.
Diluted bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite).
Dilute household bleach (Clorox) at a ratio of one part bleach to ten parts tap water and use it as a soaking solution. Research has shown that this mix is effective at killing microorganisms harbored on the dental appliances. A bleach solution will also remove many types of staining.
Diluted bleach solution on its own will not be effective at removing tartar. To remedy this, add to it one teaspoon of Calgon water softener (Calgon the calcium-chelating agent, not Calgon the soap or bath oil) per glassful.
- Diluted vinegar solution (acetic acid).
Dilute ordinary white vinegar 50:50 with tap water and use it as a soaking solution. The mildly acidic nature of the vinegar makes this solution especially effective at removing tartar that has accumulated on your clear braces. It is also effective in killing microorganisms.
- Antibacterial mouthwashes.
You've probably noticed that several mouthwashes make antibacterial claims in their advertising. This, plus the fact that these products usually have a pleasant flavor, makes it easy to come to the (mistaken) conclusion that mouthwash might be a good choice for cleaning clear braces. In reality, at least from information derived from denture cleaning studies, mouthwashes have not been demonstrated to be nearly as effective as a cleanser as one might anticipate. Compounding matters, some Invisalign patients have reported that mouthwashes that have a strong coloration (especially red) have caused clear aligners to discolor (or have tinted the debris that has accumulated on them). Due to both of these factors, it seems that the other types of cleaning solutions mentioned on this page should be considered to be a more suitable choice for cleaning invisible braces.
