Your clear aligners work hard to straighten your smile, but they also need a little care along the way. Keeping them clean, wearing them correctly and maintaining good oral hygiene can help keep your treatment on track while preventing stains, odours and bacteria build-up.
Whether you’re just starting treatment or you’re looking for tips to keep your aligners in great condition, this guide covers everything you need to know about clear aligner care. From cleaning and storage to eating, travelling and common problems, you’ll find practical advice to help you get the most from your treatment, with links to more in-depth guides if you’d like to learn more.
Daily Clear Aligner Care Checklist
Morning
✅ Brush teeth
✅ Clean aligners
✅ Reinsert
After Every Meal
✅ Remove aligners
✅ Brush or rinse
✅ Clean aligners if needed
✅ Wear for 22 hours
Evening
✅ Deep clean
✅ Floss
✅ Store safely overnight if changing trays
Weekly
✅ Dental Monitoring scan as prompted by the app. Follow this guide for a quick and efficient scan.
How Do I Safely Insert and Remove My Clear Aligners?
Before removing or inserting your clear aligners, always wash your hands!
Inserting Your Clear Aligners
To put them in, gently press them using your fingers until they click into place. Start with your front teeth and working your way backwards for a snug fit.
Once they’re in position, use your chewie to remove any air space between your teeth and the aligner. To do this, firmly squeeze the chewie between your teeth for about 5-10 seconds, repeating the process until you’ve done this for each tooth. Do this each time you insert your aligners to help you get the best result.
Chewies are reusable so once you’re done, rinse your chewie off and store it safely in your aligner case for the next time you need it.
Want to know why chewies are so important? Read our guide to Why Chewies Are Your Best Friend During Clear Aligner Treatment to learn how they help your aligners fit properly and keep your treatment progressing as planned.
Removing Your Clear Aligners
To remove your aligners, use your fingers to gently loosen the aligner from the inside (tongue side) and back teeth, then carefully pull it away without bending or twisting and place it safely in its case.
How to Clean Your Clear Aligners
Regularly cleaning your aligners helps keep both your aligners and your mouth healthy throughout your treatment.
Here are 4 tips for keeping your clear aligners sparkling clean:
- Rinse with water: Every time you take out your clear aligners, rinse them under cold water to remove any saliva and food particles. Stay away from hot water, as it can distort the aligners.
- Use a clear aligner cleaner: There are several types of clear aligner cleaning products available, such as specially formulated cleaning crystals, foaming cleansers, or clear aligner cleaning tablets. Follow the instructions of the product for usage and if you run out, just pop into one of our studios to purchase a replacement!
- Gentle brushing: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush your aligners. Avoid using toothpaste, as it may be abrasive and can scratch the aligner surface, leading to cloudiness or discoloration. For a good clean, we recommend using a mild soap such as hand soap or dish soap.
- Soak in a cleaning solution: If your aligners require deeper cleaning, you can soak them in a cleaning solution recommended by your oral health therapist. Common options include a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. Don’t forget to rinse them thoroughly with water afterward!
Want more detail? Read our complete guide on How to Clean Your Aligners (Without Ruining Them).
How Often Should I Clean My Aligners?
Every time you remove your aligners, give them a quick rinse under cool or lukewarm water to wash away saliva and help prevent build-up from drying onto the plastic.
For a deeper clean, we recommend using a sonic cleaner once a day. Available from all Urban Smile studios, sonic cleaners use gentle ultrasonic vibrations to remove plaque, bacteria and debris, helping keep your aligners clear and fresh throughout treatment. You can follow our step-by-step guide on how to use a sonic cleaner with clear aligners.
If you’re out and about, EverSmile Aligner Foam is a convenient way to freshen your aligners after meals before putting them back in. Then, once or twice a week, soak your aligners in Orthobrite Aligner Cleaning Tablets to help remove stains, prevent cloudiness and keep them looking their best. If your aligners have already started to discolour, read our guide to removing aligner stains for more tips.
Looking After Your Teeth During Treatment
Keeping your aligners clean is only part of the picture. Maintaining good oral hygiene throughout your treatment is essential for protecting your teeth and gums, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath while your smile is being straightened.
Aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and ideally after every meal before putting your aligners back in. Flossing once a day is just as important, as it removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Regular dental check-ups and professional cleans should also continue throughout your treatment. Your dentist can monitor your overall oral health, treat any issues early and help keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition while your smile is changing.
Healthy gums provide the foundation for healthy tooth movement, so if you notice bleeding, swelling or persistent bad breath, it’s important to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Want to learn more? Read our Expert Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygiene During Clear Aligner Treatment for practical advice on keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout your smile journey.
What Can I Eat and Drink with Clear Aligners?
One of the biggest benefits of clear aligners is that there are no food restrictions. Simply remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than cool water, then brush or rinse your teeth before putting them back in. This helps protect both your teeth and your aligners from staining, damage and bacteria build-up.
For more tips on eating, drinking and looking after your aligners during mealtimes, read our complete guide to eating with clear aligners.
Storing Your Clear Aligners Safely
While your aligners should be in your mouth most of the time (22 hours a day), when you do need to take them out it’s important to keep them safe. Please don’t place them in a napkin or in your pocket, where they can easily get broken or thrown out.
Pets can often mistake clear aligners for exciting new chew toys, so we recommend keeping the case out of reach from your furry friend.
Travelling with Clear Aligners
Travelling during your clear aligner orthodontic treatment is super easy! Remember to pack your ScanBox Pro so you can keep up with your weekly scans while away. If you won’t have access to the internet where you’re going, just let us know so we can pause your Dental Monitoring scans.
We always recommend storing your clear aligners in your hand luggage, so they’re always accessible. Plus, (touch wood!) checked baggage can go missing, and we’d hate for you to lose your aligners!
When travelling, we recommend taking an extra set of aligners just in case something happens to your existing set. If you do lose your current set of aligners, reach out to our clinical team on Dental Monitoring and we’ll let you know what to do. We also suggest that you keep your old aligners because we may need you to wear them again if one goes missing.
Learn more about travelling during clear aligner treatment in our comprehensive guide.
Products That Make Clear Aligner Care Easier
While a good brushing and cleaning routine is the foundation of clear aligner care, a few extra products can make treatment even easier and more comfortable.
Depending on your needs, your orthodontic team may recommend products such as a Dentagenie Sonic Cleaner to help keep your aligners clear, EverSmile Cleaning Foam for convenient on-the-go cleaning, or Orthobrite Cleaning Tablets for a deeper clean. If your teeth are feeling sensitive or could benefit from extra enamel protection, products like Tooth Mousse may also be recommended. Some patients also find chewies helpful for ensuring their aligners are fully seated after changing to a new tray.
Not every product is essential for every patient, but using the right products at the right time can help make your treatment more comfortable and keep both your aligners and your teeth in great condition.
Want to know which products are worth having on hand? Read our guide to the 5 Must-Have Products for Clear Aligner Treatment.
What Happens If…
My aligner has a rough edge?
You can smooth down any rough edges with a nail file.
An attachment falls off?
Please continue to wear your aligners as normal. Send us a message through the Dental Monitoring app and we’ll advise you if it needs replacing.
My aligners smell?
They likely just need a clean. We recommend soaking them in a mixture of Orthobrite tablets and water.
My aligners don’t fit?
Reach out to our team via the Dental Monitoring app and they can review the fit of your aligners and provide personalised advice.
My aligners cracked?
Reach out to our team via Dental Monitoring and they will advise the best way to proceed. In some cases we will ask you to move to another aligner.
I lost my aligner
It happens more than you think! Drop us a message on Dental Monitoring so our team can assess the best solution for you. In most cases, we’ll ask you to move to a different aligner.
I miss a day of wearing my aligners
Resume wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours daily and continue your Dental Monitoring scans. We’ll let you know if you need extra time in your current aligner.
When Should I Contact Urban Smile?
Some issues can wait until your next appointment, but others should be addressed as soon as possible to help keep your treatment on track. Get in touch with our team if you experience any of the following:
- A cracked or broken aligner that affects how it fits or feels.
- Severe or ongoing pain that doesn’t improve after the first few days of wearing a new aligner.
- A loose or missing attachment, as this may affect how your teeth move.
- An aligner that won’t fit properly, even after following your instructions and using chewies.
- A lost aligner, so we can advise whether you should wear your previous tray, move to the next one or arrange a replacement.
- A broken or damaged retainer, as your teeth can begin to shift if you’re unable to wear it.
If you’re ever unsure whether something is normal, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you keep your treatment progressing smoothly.
Need Help Looking After Your Aligners?
Looking after your clear aligners doesn’t have to be complicated. By wearing them consistently, maintaining good oral hygiene and cleaning them every day, you’ll give yourself the best chance of achieving a healthy, confident smile.
If you ever have questions during treatment, our team is here to help. Get in touch with our experienced Oral Health Therapists through the Dental Monitoring app or contact your nearest Urban Smile studio.
Consultation required to assess suitability. Our orthodontists will advise if this treatment is right for you.