How to Clean Clear Aligners Without Scratching Them

Clear aligners are made of thin, soft plastic. That makes them comfortable, but it also means they scratch easily, and every scratch is a place where film and stains can settle. A gentle routine keeps them clear for the full time you wear them.

Every time you take them out

Rinse the aligners under cool water right away. Saliva dries quickly and leaves a film that is harder to remove later. Put them in their case, not in a napkin or a pocket, where they get crushed or thrown out.

Once a day

Brush the aligners gently with a soft toothbrush and plain water or a drop of clear, mild soap. Do not use toothpaste. Most toothpastes contain fine grit that leaves scratches on soft plastic. Rinse well so no soap is left behind.

A few times a week

Soak the aligners in cool or lukewarm water with one of our retainer cleaner tablets, or run them through an ultrasonic retainer cleaner for a few minutes. Either one reaches the tiny grooves a brush cannot, and both are gentler than scrubbing harder.

Habits that scratch or cloud aligners

• Brushing with toothpaste or a hard-bristled brush.
• Hot water, which can warp the plastic and change the fit.
• Drinking anything other than water while wearing them. Coffee, tea and soda stain the plastic, and sugar feeds the bacteria trapped under it.
• Using colored or scented soap, which can tint the plastic or leave a taste.

Clean your teeth too

Aligners hold whatever is on your teeth against them for hours. Brushing and flossing before you put the aligners back in does as much for their clarity as cleaning the aligners themselves.

This article is general care information and is not medical advice. Follow the instructions from your dentist, orthodontist or the maker of your appliance.