Congratulations on starting your Invisalign journey! I imagine you’re both excited and nervous right about now. As a board certified orthodontist practicing at my private practice, Smile Pop, in New York City, I’m very familiar with the big, scary world of Invisalign. I know it can be intimidating getting so much thrown at you, from do’s and don’ts to landmines and pitfalls. If you find yourself wishing that all this info were in one convenient place, you’re in luck; I’m about to share all the Invisalign tips I tell my patients when they start Invisalign, so strap in! Even watch the how-to video on my YouTube channel.

Prep Work

First and foremost, when starting a new aligner, be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Seems simple enough, but these little Invisalign tips for beginners really help! Ideally, when you first remove the aligners from packaging, rinse those with water too (but no soap!).

Aligner Insertion

Invisalign aligners are customized for your teeth, so make sure you have the proper aligner. To make things easier, each aligner is engraved with your unique patient ID, a U for “Upper,” and an L for “Lower,” followed by the aligner number you’re on.

When inserting the aligners, be sure to do it in front of a mirror. When you put the aligners in, be sure to guide it on the front teeth first, and then slowly push the back teeth into position. Whether you start with the upper teeth or the lower teeth doesn’t matter. After they’re inserted, use a chewie to help seat the aligners all the way. Chew on the chewie, walking it across the arch of your teeth so that the aligners are pushed into place. Don’t you dare bite them into place without the chewie! I know it’s tempting, but that can break them. Instead, use the chewie; that’s what it’s there for. 

A good-fitting aligner will line up very intimately along all the edges of the teeth.

Aligner Removal

When removing the aligner, slowly loosen it from the back and gradually work your way towards the front. Make sure not to twist, bend, or use excessive force when removing them; they are just pretty thin plastic after all, and we don’t want to damage them. Sometimes it’s hard to actually grip the aligner because of all the saliva in your mouth. In this case, don’t pull harder; using a tissue to gently remove them instead can help. Consult your doctor if your aligners are extremely difficult to remove.

To help prevent damage to the aligners, and to help keep you on track with treatment, avoid removing your aligners when you don’t need to. When you do remove them, it’s ideal to immediately rinse them with water. Another simple Invisalign tip – be sure to store the aligners in the case when they’re not in your mouth to protect them from loss or damage.

Your Invisalign Toolbox

So, what do we give you when you’re starting out? Well, Invisalign will give you a black bag containing cleaning crystals and a case to store your aligners. 

Meanwhile, Smile Pop gives you a special Smile Pop travel pouch containing Tylenol, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a chewie, and all of your aligners. I recommend keeping your chewie in the case with your aligners so you don’t lose it.

Invisalign also has an app that you can download that will remind you of when to change your trays. To get this app, scan the QR code on the aligner package and enter your patient information, which is at the top of the package.

Aligner Usage

You can keep your aligners in while drinking water, no problem. But what about iced coffee? Sorry, that’s out. Make sure you remove the aligners when drinking anything but water. I can hear you asking now, “Well, what about beer/soda/wine/tea/[insert your favorite drink here]?” Like I said, make sure the aligners are out when you’re drinking anything but water. A lot of beverages contain acid, and the acid can rest on the enamel and cause it to erode, possibly even leading to tooth decay. Be sure to take out the aligners when eating food, too. 

Aligner Cleaning

You should clean your aligners prior to each insertion. To do this, first use your toothbrush and toothpaste to brush your teeth before putting the aligners back in. Then, use the toothbrush to brush the inside and the outside of each aligner. 

A note of caution: do not use soap to clean your aligners. Do not use piping hot water. Do not soak your aligners in mouthwash. These products can damage the surface of the aligners and cause it to discolor and become more visible (which kind of defeats the purpose of invisible aligners, doesn’t it?). 

When the aligners are not in your mouth, be sure to keep them in your case. Put the case, the toothbrush, and the toothpaste in your Smile Pop travel pouch and bring it with you on the go so you’re always ready for anything. You can also use the black bag Invisalign provides if you would prefer to keep everything in there, but between you and me I think the Smile Pop travel pouch is way cuter (just don’t tell Invisalign I said that!).

Changing Aligners

Change to your new set before going to bed. Do not remove them until morning, optimally leaving them in for 8 hours straight. In my opinion, night time is the optimal time to insert a new set of aligners as this allows the most uninterrupted, consecutive hours of wear time. When you put your new aligner in, we want to see a very intimate fit along all the edges of your teeth, just like you had at aligner #1.

Lost or Broken Aligner

If your current aligner is lost or broken, I most likely would have you advance to your next set of aligners and cook in that one a little longer. Just to be safe, be sure to reach out to your doctor for confirmation. 

Old Aligners

Some patients wonder, “What do you do with the old aligners?” Don’t worry; you don’t need them anymore, so throw them away. We’re done with them, and they’re gross!

And that’s it!

You got this, guys! Follow these instructions and your smile will pop in no time!

Interested in learning more tips and tricks to get your best smile fast? Then subscribe to my YouTube channel, follow me on Instagram, or come into Smile Pop where consults are always complimentary. Schedule here!