Key Takeaways

  • Create a consistent daily care routine to prevent staining, warping, and bacteria buildup.
  • Store your aligners in their case when not wearing them to avoid loss or damage.
  • Keep your SureSmile trays clear, odor-free, and effective throughout treatment.
  • Remove aligners prior to eating or drinking, with the exception of water.
  • Clean your trays regularly, but avoid the use of hot water, abrasive toothpaste, or harsh chemicals.

Looking for a discreet, comfortable, and efficient way to straighten your smile? SureSmile aligners may be the right choice for you. However, you have to remain committed to taking proper care of your trays every day for them to help your teeth move as intended.

If you are thinking about SureSmile aligners in Piedmont CA, here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

Proper SureSmile Aligner Care: Why It’s Vital

Good hygiene helps your teeth to shift more predictably; on the other hand, when trapped debris is allowed to remain, the fit of your trays could be compromised. Consistent care ensures that each new set of aligners works exactly as it should.

First, it’s important to note that because these aligners are made from a thermoplastic material, they can stain, warp, or smell if exposed to heat, harsh products, or bacteria. While SureSmile aligners are durable and hold up well under daily use, plaque buildup can give them a cloudy look that can lead to odors.

Daily Routine Tips for Keeping Your SureSmile Aligners in Optimal Condition

Take a look at some helpful daily tips for ensuring the safety and efficiency of your SureSmile aligners:

  • Clean them every morning and night so you can start off each day with a clean set.
  • Rinse your aligners every time you take them out of your mouth to eat or drink.
  • Keep a small travel kit with you for those times when you are away from home. This can contain a toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, floss, and your aligner case.
  • Check your trays for cracks or warping each day to ensure your aligners remain damage-free.
  • Brush thoroughly, floss daily, and use a fluoride rinse to keep enamel strong and gums healthy.

Dos

Here’s how to keep your aligners looking – and smelling — their best.

Do:

Brush and floss before re-inserting your aligners.

Particles left on your teeth can get trapped under the trays, which results in decay, staining, and bad breath.

Rinse your aligners each time you take them out.

This will remove saliva, food particles, and bacteria, preventing buildup and foul odors.

Clean your trays twice a day.

Using a soft toothbrush and clear, gentle soap, brush your aligners so you don’t scratch the plastic.

Save your backups.

After switching to a new set, store your previous trays in a labelled case if they are still intact. Now they can serve as emergency replacements if you lose or damage your current aligners.

Soak your aligners regularly.

A few times a week, use SureSmile-approved cleaning crystals or a mild retainer-cleaning solution to remove deeper buildup.

Only store your aligners in their case.

If your aligners are not in your mouth, store them inside their protective case. Placing your aligners inside their case when not in use ensures they don’t get lost, thrown out, or damaged.

Don’ts

Now here are some bad habits to stay away from that could damage your SureSmile aligners.

Don’t:

Use toothpaste, bleach, or harsh cleaners.

Stay away from bleach and strong chemicals, which can weaken or discolor the trays. Stick to approved products only. Abrasive products add a cloudy appearance to the surface due to scratches.

Eat or drink with your aligners in, with the exception of plain water.

Coffee, tea, soda, and food will stain the trays, trap sugars against your teeth, and lead to warping. Take them out before eating or drinking anything other than water.

Smoke or vape while wearing aligners.

Nicotine and other chemicals can stain the trays and leave behind odors.

Use hot water to clean your trays.

Because heat softens the plastic and can warp the aligners, their fit could be compromised which could then slow down treatment progress.

Leave aligners out in the open.

Exposure to surfaces, napkins, or pockets can lead to a high risk of contamination, bending, damage, or loss.

Uh Oh…You Lost or Damaged Your Aligners?: Now What?

Even when committing to a consistent routine and daily care, sometimes aligners can get misplaced or damaged. Use your previous set to maintain tooth position while you call your orthodontist in Piedmont CA to see what you should do next. Don’t just stop wearing them, because your teeth could shift faster than you expect.

It’s all about consistency in ensuring the best results for SureSmile aligner treatment. Even small daily habits, such as rinsing, cleaning, storing, and brushing, will go a long way toward safe, clean, odor-free trays.