Hey Gresham—it’s the team at Premier Dentistry. You’ve made a great choice starting clear aligners; now let’s make sure your aligners stay crystal clear and your teeth stay healthy the whole way through.
Good habits take just a couple extra minutes a day and can shave weeks off your treatment time.
Here’s the straightforward care routine we walk every patient through right here on SE Stark Street.
Daily Must-Dos That Keep Everything on Track
- Wear them 20–22 hours every single day – even an extra hour off here and there adds up fast
- Remove aligners before eating or drinking anything except plain water
- Always brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in
- Rinse your aligners with lukewarm (never hot!) water every time you take them out
- Clean them gently morning and night—no toothpaste, which can scratch the plastic
Follow these and your aligners will stay invisible and odor-free.
The Best Way to Clean Your Aligners (Our Patients’ Favorite Methods)
- Brush them lightly with a soft toothbrush and a drop of mild, clear dish soap
- Or use aligner cleaning crystals (we’re happy to give you a set)
- Once a week, soak for 15–20 minutes in a mix of equal parts cool water and hydrogen peroxide.
Skip the colored mouthwash or denture tablets that can stain—clear is the goal!
What to Watch For (And When to Call Us)
Cloudy aligners? Lingering bad smell? A tray that suddenly feels too tight or too loose? Those are signs something needs a quick check. Most of the time it’s an easy fix during your regular progress visit.
Pro Tips from Our Gresham Team
- Keep a travel case in your car or bag—never wrap aligners in a napkin (we’ve all heard that horror story)
- New tray soreness? Pop in the chewies we gave you for 5–10 minutes; it seats them perfectly and eases discomfort
- Thinking about whitening? Mid-treatment is the perfect time since your teeth are covered most of the day
You’ve Got This!
Taking great care of your clear aligners is truly one of the easiest parts of the journey. Stick to these simple steps and you’ll breeze through to that straight, confident smile.
Have a question or need an extra set of cleaning crystals? We’re always here. For more complete care tips visit our blog.
Give the team at Premier Dentistry in Gresham a call anytime at (503) 667-1184. Let’s keep your treatment moving smoothly!
Frequently Ask Questions
Clean your aligners at least twice daily—morning and night. Rinse them every time you remove them to prevent bacteria buildup.
No. Most toothpastes are abrasive and can scratch the plastic. Use clear antibacterial soap or aligner cleaning crystals instead.
Soak aligners for 15-20 minutes daily in aligner cleaning crystals or gentle denture cleaner. Brush lightly with a soft toothbrush and clear soap.
No. Remove aligners before drinking anything except water. Coffee, tea, and colored drinks can stain aligners and trap sugar against teeth.
Odor means bacteria buildup. Rinse aligners more frequently, soak daily in cleaning solution, and brush your teeth before reinserting.
Always store aligners in their protective case. Never wrap them in a napkin—this is the most common way aligners get lost or thrown away.
Contact Premier Dentistry immediately at (503) 667-1184. We’ll determine if you should move to the next set or order a replacement.
Book Your Appointment Today!
Ready to find your dentist near me in Gresham? At Premier Dentistry, we’re excited to welcome you to our dental clinic.
- Call Now: (503) 667-1184
- Book Online: Schedule your appointment
Don’t wait—join the Premier Dentistry family today and experience why we’re the top Gresham dentist for new patients.
