How to Clean Invisalign Aligners: Best Methods

Rinse every time they come out

Whenever you remove your aligners — to eat, drink, or brush — give them a rinse under lukewarm running water before setting them back in your case or your mouth. This clears away saliva and loose food particles before they have a chance to dry onto the plastic.

Stick to lukewarm water rather than hot. Aligners are thermoformed plastic, and water that's too hot can warp their shape just enough to throw off the precise fit your treatment plan depends on.

Brush them, gently and separately

A soft-bristled toothbrush works well on aligners, but it should be a spare one — not the brush you use on your teeth. Clear, unscented antibacterial soap is a safer choice than toothpaste, which is mildly abrasive and can leave aligners looking cloudy or scratched over time.

Soak them daily

A daily 15–20 minute soak in Invisalign-approved cleaning crystals (or a mild, clear denture-cleaning tablet) reaches the bacteria a toothbrush alone can miss. This is the step most people skip, and the one that makes the biggest difference to how fresh your aligners smell and feel by the end of the day.

What to avoid

Skip anything with bleach, colour, or strong fragrance — mouthwash included. These can discolour the plastic or leave a residue that isn't meant to sit against your teeth for hours at a time. Toothpaste, coloured soaps, and hot water all fall into the same category: fine for other things, not for aligners.

Build it into your routine

Brush and floss your own teeth before putting aligners back in — not just after taking them out. Bacteria trapped between a clean tray and unbrushed teeth is one of the more common (and avoidable) causes of decay during aligner treatment. Twice a day, tied to your regular oral hygiene routine, is enough to keep both your teeth and your aligners in good shape for the full course of treatment.