One of the biggest perks of Invisalign is that you can remove your aligners whenever you eat. Unlike traditional braces, there are no brackets or wires to work around when you brush and floss. But that convenience comes with an important responsibility: You need to keep your teeth clean before putting your aligners back in.
Flossing during Invisalign treatment is especially important because food particles and plaque can become trapped between your teeth and beneath your aligners. Taking a few extra minutes to clean your smile can help protect your teeth and gums while you work toward a straighter smile.
Why Is Flossing So Important With Invisalign?
Your aligners fit closely around your teeth. While that helps them apply the gentle pressure needed to move your teeth, it can also keep food debris and bacteria against your teeth for extended periods if your mouth isn’t clean.
Plaque that remains between teeth can contribute to cavities and gum disease. The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily because toothbrush bristles can’t effectively reach these areas.
With Invisalign, maintaining this habit is particularly important because you’ll typically wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day.
Remove Your Aligners Before Flossing
Before you floss, take your Invisalign aligners out and place them somewhere clean and safe. Ideally, use your aligner case rather than wrapping them in a napkin or leaving them on a countertop where they can be lost or contaminated.
Once your aligners are out, you can floss your teeth just as you normally would. Gently guide the floss between each pair of teeth, curving it around the sides of each tooth and moving it beneath the gumline.
Don’t forget the teeth in the very back of your mouth! It can be easy to rush through your routine when you’re busy, but those areas need attention, too.
Brush Before Putting Your Trays Back In
Flossing is only part of the equation. After eating, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste before replacing your aligners whenever possible.
Brushing helps remove plaque and food debris from the surfaces of your teeth, while flossing cleans areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Together, they provide more thorough cleaning. The ADA recommends brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily.
If you’re away from home and can’t brush immediately, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water before putting your aligners back in, then brush as soon as you can.
Don’t Forget to Clean Your Aligners
Your teeth aren’t the only thing that needs to stay clean during Invisalign treatment. Your aligners need regular cleaning, too.
Rinse your trays before putting them back in, and clean them according to your dentist’s recommendations. Smile by Design recommends cleaning aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear soap, as well as using appropriate cleaning solutions. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic and affect the fit of your trays.
And remember: Unless you’re drinking water, your aligners should generally be removed before eating or drinking. Coffee, tea, and other beverages can stain the trays, while food particles can become trapped against your teeth.
Make Flossing Part of Your Routine
When you first start Invisalign, it may feel like you’re constantly taking your aligners out, brushing, flossing, and putting them back in. Eventually, though, the routine becomes second nature.
Keeping your teeth and aligners clean throughout treatment can help you maintain a healthy smile while your teeth are moving into their new positions. If you’re having trouble flossing around attachments or have questions about the best tools for your smile, ask your dental team for guidance.
A few extra minutes of oral hygiene each day can help keep your Invisalign journey—and your smile—on track.
About the Practice
Smile by Design of Virginia Beach provides family dentistry and cosmetic and restorative dental care in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The practice offers Invisalign treatment with removable clear aligners and emphasizes personalized care in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Our approach focuses on creating personalized treatment plans while helping patients maintain healthy, confident smiles.
Call us at (757) 499-9639 or schedule your appointment online.