Have you ever seen those cool, clear braces called aligners? They look like magic, almost invisible, and they help straighten teeth to give you the perfect smile. But do you know how to keep those clear braces clean and happy so they can do their job the best way possible? Well, this article is here to tell you all about it! Today, we’re going to learn some really easy tips on how to take care of clear braces.
Keep Aligners Clean and Sparkly!
For your clear orthodontic braces to stay clean, you need to take care of them just like your teeth! You don’t want any yucky germs or food bits hanging around. So, how do you clean them? It’s easy! Every morning and night, give your aligning trays a gentle wash. Use a soft toothbrush with some special aligner cleaner or even just water. Don’t use hot water because that can make the plastic go all wobbly, and that’s no good!
Don’t Drink Hot Stuff While Wearing Them
Do you like hot cocoa or warm tea? Well, here’s a little secret: hot drinks and aligners don’t really like each other! When you drink something super hot, it can make the aligners change shape. That’s because these are made from plastic, and plastic doesn’t like heat very much. So, if you want to enjoy a hot drink, just take them out first. Let them sit in their case while you sip away. Easy peasy!
Brush and Floss Before Putting the Aligning Trays Back In
You know how your mom or dad tells you to brush your teeth after eating? Well, that’s super important when you wear aligning trays too! After you finish your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, always brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in. If you leave food on your teeth and then put the clear braces on, the food can get stuck, making your teeth feel pretty gross. So always keep your teeth fresh before putting your trays back in.
Be Gentle When Cleaning Aligners
Imagine if your favourite toy was made of soft plastic. Would you use something sharp to clean it? No way! The same is true for aligners. You need to be gentle with them! Use a soft toothbrush to clean them, and don’t use any toothpaste that’s super scratchy. Some toothpaste can be rough and make the aligning trays look all cloudy. You want them to stay clear, right? So, be gentle, use soft brushes, and your aligning trays will thank you.
Put Aligners in Their Case Every Time!
Sometimes, people take things out, like the aligners, and just put them on the table or in a napkin. But guess what? That’s how these trays get lost! Plus, they can get really dirty that way. Instead, always put them in their special case. It keeps them safe, clean, and easy to find. Imagine if you lost your aligning trays, and then they couldn’t help your teeth anymore! So remember, put them in their little home, the case, whenever they’re not in your mouth.
Taking care of your clear orthodontic braces isn’t too hard when you remember these simple steps. Keep your clear braces clean, don’t drink hot drinks with them in, brush your teeth before putting them back on, use gentle tools to clean them, put them in their case, and always check them for signs of wear. And, of course, pick an awesome orthodontist who knows what they’re doing!
