Caring For Your Clear Aligners
Below is information to help you keep your teeth healthy and happy during clear aligner treatment.
Aligner Instructions
- Wear your aligners all the time for a minimum of 22 hours a day
- Remove your aligners before brushing, eating, and drinking coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, etc. Water is the ONLY drink you can have with aligners in
- When seating aligners, ensure to use your fingers to insert the aligners. Avoid biting your aligners in as if it’s placed incorrectly, the aligners can break
- Use bite sticks daily for 2 minutes when putting new aligners in and before going to sleep – this ensures your aligners are properly seated.
Oral Hygiene with Clear Aligners
- Clean your aligners every time you brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and water, don’t use toothpaste
- If you don’t brush after eating, ensure to rinse your mouth out with water before putting aligners back in
- Avoid drinking anything other than water with your aligners in. After eating or drinking, rinse your mouth out with water before putting your aligners back in.
- If your aligners need an extra good clean you can use Polident cleaning tablets formulated for clear aligners and retainers.
- Continue flossing as usual.
How to remove your aligners
- Remove aligners by using the hook or finger from the inside back of the aligner.
- Alternate the positions in which you remove the aligner so it doesn’t become weak. Removing it from the front can put excessive pressure on the attachments and cause them to break.
Clear Aligner Treatment FAQ's
Yes — aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day to work effectively. You remove them to eat, drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss. Outside of those times, they should be in. Wearing them less than this will slow down your treatment or affect the result.
Most people notice a very slight adjustment period in the first few days where speech feels different. This settles quickly as you get used to wearing them, and most patients find the impact minimal.
You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort for a day or two when you move to a new set of trays, this is normal and a sign the aligners are working. It’s generally described as a tightness rather than pain, and it passes quickly.
Yes! It is important to have a regular check-ups and cleans with your dentist every 6 months to ensure the health of your teeth are maintained and your clear aligner treatment stays on track.
Yes — one of the advantages of clear aligners is that you remove them to eat and drink, so there are no food restrictions. Just make sure you brush your teeth before putting them back in.
Aligner treatment typically requires fewer appointments than braces. You’ll generally come in every 10 to 12 weeks so Dr Nick can monitor your progress.
Contact us as soon as possible. Depending on where you are in your treatment, we’ll advise whether to wear your previous set, move to the next set, or arrange a replacement. Don’t leave a gap in wear, continuing treatment is important.
Yes, this is completely normal and expected. The pressure you feel is the aligner doing its job, pushing your teeth into a new position. It’s usually strongest in the first 24 to 48 hours after changing trays and then settles. Over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help if needed.
You can pop into the practice during business hours to pick up another packet of elastics. Just give us a call so you know which practice we are at that week.
Changing your trays at night before bed is a good habit, you’ll sleep through the most uncomfortable part. Follow the schedule Dr Nick has given you, whether that’s every 7, 10, or 14 days. Don’t switch early, and try not to go significantly over time on the same set.
If a tray feels like it’s not fully seated or has gaps along the gumline, it could mean your teeth haven’t tracked as expected. Check whether you’ve been wearing your aligners consistently for the required hours. Try using your bite stick for a few minutes each day to help seat the tray. If it still doesn’t feel right after a couple of days, contact us — don’t just move on to the next tray.
You can carefully file the edge with a nail file or emery board to smooth it down. Just be gentle and work in small strokes along the edge. You can also try using some orthodontic wax on the area that is rubbing on your gum/mouth. If it’s not settling or it’s causing significant irritation, bring the tray in and we can take a look.
No — gum will stick to the aligners. Remove them first.
Yes. As your teeth move through different positions during treatment, there can be temporary gaps or slight spacing that looks a little unusual. This is part of the process and will resolve as treatment progresses. If you’re concerned about anything specific, take a photo and send it through or mention it at your next appointment.
Need a clear aligner appointment?
The quickest way to book either your regular aligner check-up or an emergency appointment is to call us during business hours (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm) on 1300 746 465.
If you’d prefer to book via email please complete our form below with as much information as possible so that we can offer you the most suitable appointment spot.
