Invisible aligners allow people of all ages to discreetly and effectively straighten their teeth without attracting unwanted attention. They’re particularly popular with Keen Dental Care’s adult patients, who may feel self-conscious about having metal wires and brackets on their teeth. But while they’re incredibly convenient, these revolutionary aligners require a special type of care.

Read on for a few tips from Columbia, MO’s best dentists for getting the most out of your invisible aligners:

• Store Them Properly: To get the full benefits from your aligners, wear them for at least 22 hours every day, and only store them in the proper conditions. Orthodontists recommend storing them at temperatures no warmer than the inside of your mouth—so this summer, turn on the A/C and make sure your aligners don’t get so warm they melt or warp.

• Clean Them With a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: Invisible aligners need to be fully removed for proper cleaning and gently scrubbed with a soft-bristled toothbrush. A hard-bristled brush could damage them.

• Avoid Colorful Cleaning Products: Only use the best dentist-approved cleaning products on your aligners—do not use regular toothpaste, especially colorful varieties. The wrong product could stain or have abrasive effects.

• Soak Them to Remove Stains: Occasionally, invisible aligners may become stained. If this happens to you, all you need to do is is soak them for a few minutes with a specialized cleaner you can get from your dentist.  To reduce the chance of staining your aligners, you should always remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water.

• Brush After Every Meal: One of the perks of wearing invisible braces is you can enjoy foods you wouldn’t be able to eat with conventional braces. All you need to do is remove your aligners beforehand. Additionally, you should brush your teeth after every meal to avoid trapping food particles in your aligners.

If you’re ready to finally straighten your smile, you can do it discreetly with a set of invisible aligners from Keen Dental Care. To schedule an appointment or teeth cleaning with the best dentist office in Columbia, MO, give them a call at (573) 875-5336. More information is available on their website.