How to effectively clean clear aligners?

1. Where do the white deposits on clear aligners come from?

Studies show that precipitates start to form on the surface of the polyurethane aligner material within one hour of wear, and bacteria begin to colonize within 6 to 12 hours. Depending on your doctor’s instructions, your aligners may need to be worn for 7, 10, or 14 days (it varies from person to person). Over days of wear, aligners may develop cracks, wear marks, and increased surface roughness, which raises the adhesion of bacteria to the material — the longer you wear them, the dirtier they become and the harder they are to clean.

Where do these deposits like to hide? They tend to accumulate around the spots where the teeth attach to the aligner, and in the gaps between crowded teeth. This is not only unsightly but also a potential risk factor for bacteria-related diseases, easily leading to periodontal disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.

2. How to effectively clean clear aligners?

Method 1: Brush them. Remove the aligners before eating, rinse them under running water, and keep them in their dedicated case. Before putting them back on, brush the aligners with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste for at least one minute. The outer surface of the aligners can be brushed while they are in your mouth. Remember to use a fluoride toothpaste, which effectively reduces Streptococcus mutans (the main pathogen of tooth decay).

The tips of the aligners that cover the teeth and the concave parts where attachments sit are hard to reach, which greatly reduces the transparency of the aligners and also weakens their elasticity.

Method 2: Ultrasonic cleaning. Use a low-frequency ultrasonic cleaner for about 3 minutes at room temperature to remove stubborn stains. Patients wearing retainers should also clean them carefully. Please note that heating accelerates the oxidation of the aligner material and may cause the aligner to deform or harden. If you use ultrasonic cleaning, always use room-temperature water. Also, do not eat overheated food or drink hot beverages while wearing the aligners.

Method 3: Cleaning tablets. Put one orthodontic cleaning tablet into cold water and soak the aligners for about 15 minutes (follow the instructions on the package — it may not always be 15 minutes). Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the hard-to-clean parts in the tablet solution, rinse with running water, and put the aligners back on. Tablets containing sodium carbonate (mainly used to remove grease — suitable if your orthodontist allows you to eat while wearing the aligners) and sulfates release gas bubbles when dissolved in water, providing an effervescent cleaning action.

It is recommended to use cleaning tablets once or twice a week. Combining cleaning tablets with brushing effectively reduces plaque accumulation. You can also use an ultrasonic cleaner together with cleaning tablets.