Care Instructions

The Basics

• Wear 20–22 hours per day. Only remove them for eating, drinking (anything except plain water), and brushing/flossing.
• Change your aligners as instructed — our office will provide you with your aligner rotation at your initial visit. If a new tray feels a little tight at first — that's normal and should ease within a day or two.
• Remove your aligners from the inside of your teeth to prevent any attachments and/or elastic hooks breaking off.

Eating and Drinking

• Always remove aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water.
• Avoid chewing gum while wearing them.

Cleaning Your Aligners

• Rinse every time you remove them to stop saliva from drying on the plastic.
• Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water (no toothpaste — it can scratch the plastic and dull it).
• Soak daily in a cleaning solution made for aligners (or the retainer-cleaning crystals your orthodontist recommends). Avoid mouthwash for soaking — the coloring and alcohol can stain or degrade the material.
• Never use hot water on your aligners — it can warp them so they no longer fit properly.

Caring for Your Teeth

• Brush and floss after every meal before putting aligners back in — food trapped against your teeth for hours is a fast track to cavities.
• Keep travel-size floss, a toothbrush, and toothpaste with you for meals away from home.
• Use fluoride toothpaste and consider a fluoride rinse if your orthodontist suggests it, since aligners can trap acid against enamel if hygiene slips.

Storage and Handling

• Always use the provided case when aligners are out — never wrap them in a napkin (a common way people accidentally throw them away).
• Keep aligners away from pets — dogs are drawn to the smell of saliva on them.
• Don't leave aligners in a hot car, direct sunlight, or a pocket.

Managing Discomfort

• Mild pressure or soreness with each new tray is expected and usually fades in 2–3 days.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen) can help if needed.
• Orthodontic wax can be applied to any spot rubbing against your gums or cheeks.

General Tips for Success

• Set phone reminders for aligner changes and wear-time tracking. Download the Invisalign® App at invisalign.ca/mobileapp.
• Keep your next 3–4 aligners on hand (or know where they are) if you travel.
• Attend all scheduled check-ins so we can monitor progress and catch issues early.

Using Chewies

• What they are: small foam cylinders designed to help seat your aligners fully against your teeth.
• When to use them: right after inserting a new aligner, bite down on the chewie and move it along your bite line — front, sides, and back — for 3–5 minutes, two times a day. This helps close any small gaps between the aligner and your teeth so the tray fits snugly and applies pressure correctly.
• Why it matters: aligners that aren't fully seated can leave certain teeth untouched by the tray's pressure, which may slow progress or cause your treatment to fall behind the digital plan.
• Care: rinse chewies after each use and let them air dry. Replace them every few weeks, or sooner if they start to look worn, torn, or discolored — they can harbor bacteria over time.
• Where to get them: our office provides a few to start; extras can be bought online or picked up at follow-up appointments.

When to Call Your Orthodontist

• A tray cracks or breaks
• You lose an aligner
• Pain persists beyond a few days or feels sharp/severe
• A tooth feels loose in a way that seems abnormal
• You notice the aligners no longer fit properly
• You notice gum recession or gum inflammation

Aligner Problems & Solutions