Cleaning Travel Kit

I continue to wait for my aligners... they should be in any day now. I'm trying not to think about it and enjoy the last few days of freedom I have. Once the aligners come in I unavoidably have to change my day to day habits... water will become my main fluid intake and brushing and flossing 3 to 4 times a day an annoying routine. What a pain! It shall be worth it, right? Yes, it will :)

I did go to Target a few days ago to get my cleaning kit ready and decided to write about it.

I've read countless blogs and articles on how to keep the invisalign aligners clean. Many of the articles recommended setting up a little invisalign travel kit. From what I gathered in my research the kit should contain the following:

1. Soft Bristle Toothbrush (2)
2. Cleaning Solution
3. Small Portable Container with lid
4. Toothpaste
5. Floss or Floss Picks
6. Makeup Bag or Ziplock Bag
7. Small Bottle of Water (optional)

Two Soft Bristle Toothbrush

You will use one toothbrush to clean the aligners and one to brush your teeth.

 

Cleaning Solution

I found a lot of controversy on what is the best cleaning method. Recommendation vary from using mouth wash, denture cleaning tablets, hydrogen peroxide or even vinegar. I decided to go with the mouth wash. I chose the Listerine Whitening Mouth Rinse. I will be mixing equal parts of mouth wash and water. I also remember reading never to use colored mouth wash because it may stain the aligners. I don't want to have aligners that make my teeth look blue or green... lol

 

Small Portable Container

This will be used to soak your aligners in the cleaning solution

Toothpaste and Floss

To be used conventionally for oral hygiene

 

 

Makeup Bag or Ziplock Bag

To store everything in

 

I've mapped out my daily routine, I'll wake up take the aligners off soak them in the cleaning solution for 15-20 minutes. Scrub aligners with toothbrush. Brush and Floss teeth. Insert aligner go to work. I get my lunch at 11:30am, so I'll do the same thing... take off aligners, soak, brush aligner, brush and floss teeth and pop them back in. I get a break at 3pm and if I decide to snack I'll repeat the routine. I'll be out of work by 5pm. I'll eat dinner around 7ish and repeat cleaning routine. This schedule should meet the recommended 22hr wear time for invisalign. Wish me LUCK!!