Wearing your aligners
Wear your aligners 22 hours every day.
Only remove them to eat, drink anything other than water, or brush and floss your teeth. Your aligners only work when they're in your mouth. Taking them out too often slows your treatment and lets your teeth start drifting back.
Adjustment period
For the first few days, you may notice extra saliva and a slight lisp. Both are normal and usually improve quickly as you get used to the aligners.
Staying on track (especially for teens)
Consistent wear is the key to a successful result. Some teen aligners have blue wear indicators so your doctor can see how long they've been worn. Your doctor may also ask you to use the My Invisalign mobile app to track your daily wear time.
Putting in and taking out
Wash your hands with soap and water before handling your aligners. Each aligner is marked with "U" for upper or "L" for lower, plus a stage number that shows which step of treatment you're on.
To insert your aligner
- Gently push the aligner over your front teeth first.
- Use your fingertips to apply gentle pressure over your back molars until the aligner snaps into place.
Attachments and chewies
Attachments are small, clear bumps on certain teeth that help the aligners move your teeth. Check your attachments every day. If one is chipped, broken, or missing, contact our office right away.
Your doctor may also give you "chewies" (small foam cylinders) to help seat your aligners fully on your teeth. Bite gently on them as directed.
Eating and drinking
Do
- Drink cool water with aligners in
- Remove aligners before any food
- Rinse your mouth and your aligners with warm water before reinserting
- Brush and floss before reinserting whenever possible
Don't
- Eat anything with aligners in
- Drink coffee, tea, soda, juice, wine, or anything sugary or acidic with aligners in
- Chew gum with aligners in
- Use hot water on your aligners (it can warp them)
Why this matters
Drinking sugary or acidic drinks with your aligners in changes the acid balance (pH) in your mouth, increases the risk of tooth damage, and stains your aligners. Even hot coffee on its own can distort their shape.
Cleaning your aligners
Clean your aligners every time before you put them in.
What you'll need
- A soft-bristle toothbrush
- Low-abrasive toothpaste
- Cool to lukewarm water
Gently brush the inside and outside of each aligner. Rinse and you're good to go.
Your starter kit
Your kit may include cleaning crystals, an aligner case, and a printed use-and-care document from Invisalign®. Read that document carefully and follow it alongside these instructions.
Storing your aligners
Whenever your aligners aren't in your mouth, they're in their protective case.
Never store them in
- A napkin
- A tabletop or tray
- A pocket or bag, loose
This is the most common way aligners get lost, damaged, or accidentally thrown away. The case is small. Use the case.
Lost or broken an aligner? Contact our office immediately for instructions on what to do next.
Questions or problems?
Call or text us right away if you experience any of these.
- Pain that feels unusual for a new aligner
- A damaged or missing attachment
- A lost or broken aligner
- Anything that feels wrong, confusing, or unexpected
Starting Invisalign® comes with a learning curve, especially in the first few days. Mild pressure, extra saliva, and slight speech changes are all common during the adjustment period. If something feels off, contact our office. We'd rather answer a small question early than have you worry through treatment alone.