Aligners cover your teeth, trapping saliva and bacteria. Learn the "Sip and Swish" rule and how to keep your enamel pristine.
Aligners are amazing, but they create a unique environment in your mouth. By covering your teeth with plastic, you prevent saliva from washing over them. Saliva is your natural defence against acid.
If you trap sugar or acid under that plastic, it sits against your enamel for hours. This leads to Decalcification (white spots) or rapid cavities.
The Golden Rules of Aligner Hygiene
1. Water Only
You can only drink cool water with aligners in. No lemon water, no sparkling water (it's acidic), and definitely no tea/coffee/soda.
2. The "Sip and Swish"
If you absolutely must have a sneaky drink on a night out, use a straw to bypass teeth, and swish with water immediately after. But try to avoid this.
3. Floss is Boss
As your teeth move, gaps open and close. Food gets stuck in new places. If you don't floss, you will get "interproximal decay" (cavities between teeth). We recommend carrying floss picks.
✅ Do
- Brush after every meal
- Soak aligners in crystals
- Drink loads of water
❌ Don't
- Use toothpaste on trays (scratches them)
- Drink hot tea (warps plastic)
- Wrap in napkin (you will throw it away)
Dr Yasha Shirazi's Tip:
"If you can't brush after lunch at work, at least rinse vigorously with water. Also, chew sugar-free gum for 5 minutes before putting trays back in—it stimulates saliva to neutralise acids."
Cleaning Your Trays
Smelly trays = bad breath. Bacteria loves plastic.
- Morning: Brush them with a soft brush and water (no paste).
- Evening: Soak them in Retainer Brite or a denture tablet for 15 mins while you shower.
Written by Pro Aligners Team
Medically reviewed by Dr Yasha Shirazi • GDC: 195843