When you're wearing Invisalign, brushing alone isn’t enough. Since your teeth are covered by aligners for most of the day, it's easy for food, bacteria, and plaque to get trapped, and that can lead to bad breath, cavities, or gum issues if you're not careful. That’s why keeping your mouth clean is just as important as wearing your trays the right way. Good oral hygiene helps your treatment go smoothly, keeps your aligners clear, and gives you the confidence to smile even before your teeth are fully straightened. In this blog, you’ll learn why flossing is a key part of the process and how to keep your mouth fresh and healthy every step of the way.
The Unique Challenges of Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Invisalign
Wearing Invisalign may seem easier than traditional braces, but it still comes with its own set of hygiene requirements. Since you are wearing the aligners most of the day, you need to be extra careful about your oral hygiene.
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Bad Breath and Staining
Trapped food and bacteria under your aligners can lead to bad breath and discoloration. If you don’t rinse or brush properly, the smell can build up quickly, and your aligners may lose their clear look too. -
Food and Bacteria Trapping
Snacking and not brushing at night or skipping a rinse lets tiny food particles stay on your teeth. Once the aligners go back in, they trap those particles against your teeth, giving space for bacteria to grow. -
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
Without proper cleaning, plaque can build up fast under your aligners. And if left unattended, that sticky film hardens into tartar, which is very tough to remove without a dentist’s help. -
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Poor hygiene during Invisalign treatment can lead to cavities and gum irritation. Since your aligners hold everything close to your teeth, it’s easier for decay to spread if you're not cleaning properly. -
Gingivitis and Risk of Infections
Ignoring daily flossing and brushing can lead to inflamed gums (gingivitis) and if left untreated it can cause more serious infections. Since your aligners keep everything in close contact with your teeth, bacteria have more chances to spread and cause deeper, issues.
How Can Floss Specifically Help Invisalign Users?
Flossing might seem like a small step, but when you’re wearing Invisalign, it can make a big difference in how clean and healthy your smile stays.
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Removes Trapped Food and Plaque
Floss gets into the tight spaces between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Floss helps clear out food particles and plaque before they can cause trouble. -
Prevents Gum Disease and Cavities
Floss cleans out plaque and leftover food, it helps protect your gums and teeth from inflammation and decay. -
Keeps Aligners Clean
When your teeth are clean, your aligners stay cleaner too. Flossing helps prevent food and bacteria from sticking to your aligners and causing bad smells or staining. -
Maintains Oral Health
Flossing is a key part of keeping your mouth healthy during Invisalign treatment. It supports strong teeth and gums, which helps your aligners work effectively. -
May Help with Aligner Fit
Flossing can remove tiny bits of debris that might affect how your aligners sit on your teeth. A cleaner mouth can mean a better fit and smoother treatment.
Try a More Effective Flossing Tool
Traditional string floss isn’t always easy or pleasant to use. That’s where Flossy comes in. Flossy is a reusable flossing tool designed not just as an eco-friendly alternative, but to actually make the flossing experience easier, more comfortable, and more effective—especially helpful for Invisalign users who need to keep their teeth extra clean between meals and aligner wear.
How to Clean Teeth with Invisalign
Keeping your teeth clean while wearing Invisalign is just as important as wearing the aligners themselves. Here’s how you can care for your teeth step-by-step.
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Remove your aligners
Before you clean your teeth, always take out your Invisalign aligners. This gives you full cleaning access to your teeth and prevents damage to the trays. - Clean Your Aligners
Clean your aligners daily as well with Invisalign cleaning crystals or a gentle, clear cleanser, not toothpaste.
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Brush your teeth
You should brush thoroughly using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Aim for at least two minutes, making sure to reach every surface of your teeth. -
Rinse your mouth
Rinsing your mouth removes any loose food or debris. It’s a quick and easy way to get rid of leftover particles before flossing. Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to fight off germs and protect your gums. -
Floss your teeth
Take about 18 inches of floss and wrap the ends around your fingers. Slide it gently between your teeth, curve it like a “C” around each tooth, and move it up and down. Repeat for every tooth. If string floss feels like a hassle, you can try using a tool like Flossy, which is designed to simplify and improve the whole flossing process while being gentle on your gums. - Regular Dental Check Ups
Don’t skip your dental check-ups. Regular cleanings help catch any issues early and your orthodontist will be able to treat you before things get worse
The Best Time for Flossing with Invisalign
Flossing is more effective when you do it at the right time. Here are some easy tips to follow:
- You should never floss with Invisalign on, always take out your aligners before you floss.
- Try to floss after meals, especially if you’ve eaten something that can get stuck between your teeth like popcorn or meat.
- Brush first to loosen up any food, then floss to clear out the spaces between your teeth.
- Don’t put your aligners back in until your teeth and gums feel fresh and clean, this helps avoid trapping food and bacteria.
A little routine goes a long way in keeping your mouth healthy during Invisalign treatment.
Taking care of your teeth during Invisalign treatment doesn’t have to be hard, it just takes a little extra attention. By brushing, flossing, and cleaning your aligners every day, you’re not only helping your treatment stay on track but also keeping your mouth healthy and fresh. These small habits go a long way in making sure you get that confident, beautiful smile you’re working toward. Tools like Flossy can help you stick to your oral hygiene routine more easily and keep your aligners—and your smile—in top shape.
Author:
Emily Taylor found the perfect fit for herself as the Online Marketing Manager at Thurman Orthodontics in Fresno CA as she believes that a great smile does more than just make a person look great – it makes them feel great as well. The power of a smile has always been a mystery to Emily and she loves researching and writing about it. She loves to write about everything to do with a healthy bite and a beautiful smile - whether is it ways to achieve it or the importance of it in the various aspects of life. What brings a big smile on Emily’s face is her family and surfing.