Take aligners out for meals and for anything you drink except plain water. Brush your teeth before they go back in. Once a day, clean the aligners gently with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm or cool water, or with the method your orthodontist or aligner company gave you. Keep hot water, abrasive toothpaste and harsh chemicals off the plastic.
A daily routine
- Out and into the case. Each time you eat or drink something other than water, put the aligners straight into their case, not a napkin, pocket or purse, where they are easily lost.
- Brush your teeth before the aligners go back in, because liquid and food trapped under a tray sit against the teeth.
- Rinse the aligners. A rinse under cool running water removes saliva and loose debris before they go back.
- Clean them properly once a day. Brush the aligners gently, inside and out, with a soft toothbrush kept only for them, using lukewarm or cool water and, if you like, a little mild soap.
- Soak, if you want to. A cleaning tablet or crystals made for aligners or retainers is an extra, not a replacement for brushing. Follow the timing on the pack.
- Rinse and put them back. Rinse off any soap or soak thoroughly, then put the aligners back on clean teeth.
Never use hot water, which can warp the plastic. If your aligners came with their own instructions, follow those.
Methods compared
| Method | How | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft brush and lukewarm water | Brush gently, rinse | Daily | Invisalign's usual instruction |
| Soft brush, cool water and mild soap | Brush gently, rinse well | Daily | American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) advice for clear plastic retainers. Aligners are similar plastic, but follow the instructions for your own aligners first |
| Cleaning tablets or crystals | Dissolve in water to cover the tray, soak, rinse | As the pack directs; the AAO suggests a soak at least weekly for retainers | Extra clean for film and smell; Invisalign sells its own crystals and foam |
| Ultrasonic device | Sound waves shake debris loose in water or a cleaning solution | Optional | Not needed for a good clean; use only if your orthodontist agrees |
| UV device | Ultraviolet light, used after cleaning; it does not remove film or debris | Optional | Not a substitute for brushing; use only if your orthodontist agrees |
| Toothpaste on aligners | Not the usual method | Only if your instructions allow it | One Invisalign page allows a small amount; abrasive and whitening pastes are made to scrub enamel, not clear plastic |
| Hot water, dishwasher, bleach, alcohol-based products | Avoid | Never | The AAO warns against each; heat warps plastic |
| Vinegar or baking soda soaks | Avoid unless told otherwise | Not in the published instructions | Use a product made for the job instead |
Tablets, crystals and devices are compared in aligner and retainer cleaning products.
Away from home
Carry the case, a travel toothbrush and a bottle of water.
If you cannot brush after eating, rinse your mouth and the aligners thoroughly with water, put them back, and brush properly at the next chance. That is a stopgap, not the routine.
After acidic food or drink, ask your orthodontist how long to wait before brushing. A hot car can warp aligners just as hot water can, so do not leave the case on a dashboard or in a parked car.
When something is not right
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aligners smell or taste unpleasant | Food or plaque left on teeth or aligners; daily clean skipped | Brush your teeth before the aligners go back in; clean them daily; add a soak. If a bad taste or sore gums persist, see your dentist |
| Stains or yellowing | Drinks other than water with the aligners in | Take them out for every drink except water; clean daily. See eating and drinking with clear aligners |
| Cloudy or white film | Build-up of film, or fine scratches from scrubbing or abrasive paste | Gentle daily cleaning and a soak can lift film. Scratches will not clear; ask your orthodontist if a cloudy tray is a concern |
| Warped, cracked or no longer fits | Heat, biting on the tray, or being dropped | Stop using an aligner that cuts or does not fit fully, and contact your orthodontist right away |
The case
Keep aligners in their case whenever they are out of your mouth, and keep the case clean. Rinse it and let it air-dry regularly, and keep it away from pets, which the AAO specifically warns about.
Retainers
A retainer is cleaned in much the same way, and it lasts far longer than any one aligner, so care matters more. Rinse it with cool water, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, and let it air-dry; keep it away from hot water, bleach and the dishwasher. A retainer is typically needed for life, though the hours a day usually fall over time. If a retainer no longer fits or is cracked, contact the clinician responsible; do not force it on. What changes after the last aligner is in care after aligner treatment.
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Sources
- Align Technology (Invisalign). Week 1 versus week 2, page date April 2026Accessed October 22, 2026
- Align Technology (Invisalign). Cases for InvisalignAccessed October 22, 2026
- Align Technology (Invisalign). Invisalign treatment while pregnant, page date April 2025Accessed October 22, 2026
- American Association of Orthodontists. RetainersAccessed October 22, 2026
- American Association of Orthodontists. Will my teeth stay where my orthodontist moved them?, October 14, 2025Accessed October 22, 2026
- American Association of Orthodontists. Clear aligner therapyAccessed October 22, 2026
- American Association of Orthodontists. Aligners FAQsAccessed October 22, 2026
- American Association of Orthodontists. Retainer care 101Accessed October 22, 2026
