How Do You Properly Clean Invisalign?

Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is a crucial part of your treatment. It helps maintain their clarity, keeps your breath fresh, and protects your teeth and gums throughout the realignment process.

To properly clean your Invisalign aligners, rinse them thoroughly every time you remove them, gently brush them with a soft toothbrush once a day, and soak them in a clear, non-abrasive solution daily. 

Avoid using toothpaste or coloured soaps, which can cause scratching and discolouration. These simple habits can significantly impact your treatment experience and overall oral health.

At Springbank Dental Centre, we also recommend cleaning your aligners with an ultrasonic cleaner, such as a Zima Dental Pod.

Why Clean Invisalign Aligners?

Aligners are in your mouth for 20 to 22 hours a day. Without regular cleaning, plaque, bacteria, and food particles can build up, increasing the risk of cavities, gum irritation, and bad breath. Stained aligners can lose the discreet, transparent look that makes Invisalign a popular choice.

Cleaning helps your aligners stay:

• Odour-free
• Stain-resistant
• Bacteria-free
• Virtually invisible

The clearer your aligners, the more you can enjoy the intended benefits.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Routine

Taking care of your aligners, like caring for your teeth, is all about building good habits into your daily routine.

Rinse Your Aligners Regularly

Every time you remove your aligners—for meals, snacks, or brushing—give them a rinse with lukewarm water. Rinsing helps prevent dried saliva and buildup from sticking to the plastic.

Rinsing tips: 

• Never use hot water, as it can warp the aligners and affect their fit

• Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol or colouring agents, which can damage or stain the aligners

Brush Them Gently

Once a day, brush your aligners with a soft toothbrush and use clear, unscented liquid soap or Invisalign cleaning crystals. Avoid scented or dyed soaps, which can stain your aligners or leave a bitter taste.

Avoid using toothpaste, as most formulas are abrasive and can scratch the surface, causing it to appear cloudy. Gently clean all surfaces, rinse well, and store in their case when not in use.

Soak Them Once a Day

Use Invisalign cleaning crystals or a retainer-safe soaking solution to disinfect your aligners. Let them sit for 15–30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The extra step helps eliminate odours and keeps the plastic looking fresh.

Ultrasonic Cleaner

The Zima Dental Pod is an ultrasonic cleaning device designed to keep Invisalign aligners, retainers, and other dental appliances clean. 

Using high-frequency sound waves, it creates microscopic bubbles that gently but effectively remove plaque, bacteria, and buildup from even the tiniest crevices. Unlike traditional brushing, the Dental Pod provides a deeper clean without causing damage or wear to the aligners. 

With just a few minutes of use per day, it helps maintain the clarity, comfort, and hygiene of your Invisalign trays, promoting better oral health

The Zima Dental Pod is available at Springbank Dental Centre..

What to Avoid When Cleaning Invisalign

For successful Invisalign treatment, establishing good habits is crucial—and so is being aware of habits to avoid. Here’s what you should try not to do with your aligners:

• Don’t skip cleanings, as even one missed day can lead to cloudy trays or bacterial buildup
• Don’t use toothpaste or mouthwash,as these products may be too abrasive or too harsh for the material
• Don’t eat or drink with aligners in, except for plain water, & remove your trays before consuming anything
• Don’t wrap trays in a napkin; it’s one of the most common ways people lose or accidentally throw out their aligners

If your aligners become lost, damaged, or no longer fit properly, contact your provider for guidance on the next steps.

Cleaning Invisalign On-the-Go

Busy schedules and travel can make aligner care more challenging. These tips help make it easier to stay on track.

Keep a Travel Kit

Consider packing a small case with the following:

• A compact toothbrush with soft bristles
• Clear, unscented soap or Invisalign cleaning crystals
• Aligner case
• Travel-size mouth rinse
• Floss picks

That way, you’re prepared to clean or rinse even if you’re away from home.

Use Wipes for Quick Freshening

There are specially designed wipes for use with Invisalign or clear aligners. These can help when you’re in a pinch without access to water or soap.

Caring for Your Teeth During Treatment

Keeping your teeth clean is just as important as cleaning your aligners. Since trays cover your teeth for most of the day, any trapped food or plaque can increase the risk of decay or gum disease.

Here’s what to do:

• Brush & floss after meals before putting your aligners back in
• Rinse your mouth if brushing isn't possible right away
• Drink plenty of water to help flush away debris

Invisalign can work most effectively in a clean and healthy environment. When you practice good oral health habits, you can support your treatment success. 

Regular professional cleanings can help reinforce your at-home care. If it’s been a while since your last hygiene appointment, schedule a routine dental exam.

What Happens If You Don’t Clean Invisalign?

Failure to clean your aligners can result in:

• Bad breath from trapped food & bacteria
• Discolouration that makes the trays more noticeable
• Oral health issues such as cavities, inflamed gums, or even infections
• Longer treatment timelines due to missed wear time if trays become damaged or unusable

Since aligners are switched out every 1–2 weeks, it can be easy to focus on the short term; however, the benefits of consistent care extend throughout your entire treatment.

Staying on Schedule

It’s essential to follow your provider’s instructions about the duration of wearing each set of aligners. Here are a few bonus tips:

• Save your old trays in case your dentist advises you to backtrack due to fit or timing issues
• Switch to the next set as directed—usually every 1–2 weeks
• Track your wear time using a timer or phone app to meet the 20–22 hours per day mark

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. A quick call or visit to your dental provider can help keep your progress on track.

Whole-Health Support for Invisalign Patients

Properly cleaning your Invisalign trays does more than support your smile—it also contributes to your overall health. Clean and well-maintained clear aligners help prevent the spread of bacteria in the mouth, which can impact heart health and other systemic conditions. It’s all connected.

Clear aligner therapy is about more than just straight teeth—it’s about building lifelong habits that protect your health from top to bottom.

At Springbank Dental Centre, Invisalign treatment is just one part of our whole-health approach to dentistry. We use modern tools, such as iTero scanning, to help provide more comfortable assessments and guide patients through every phase of their treatment, from start to finish. If you’re ready to explore Invisalign in Calgary, we’re here to help. 

Book a consultation today to start your journey towards a healthier smile.