A lot of people opt for clear aligners in Houston because of their discrete nature. But, this very fact makes clear aligners maintenance crucial. Because they are virtually transparent, every stain or discoloration becomes immediately visible. Not to mention, not taking proper care of your aligners will not leave you with just a stained set of trays, but it can spell bad news for your oral health too.
So, here's why it's important to take good care of your aligners and how to do it properly.
Why Cleaning Your Aligners Matters?
You will get a new set of clear aligners about every two weeks, so why bother cleaning them?
Food particles and bacteria can get trapped inside your aligners. Not cleaning them every night means that your teeth are coated in cavities producing bacteria for 22 hours every day. If the bacteria is trapped in there long enough, it will eventually attack your teeth's enamel and lead to decay.
The aligners can also prevent your saliva from effectively washing away bacteria and food particles. If these particles are not cleaned every day, you may start experiencing bad breath.