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Caring for Aligners: On Your Way to a Healthy Smile

Caring for aligners is a key part of your orthodontic journey. The better you look after your Invisalign or clear aligners—and the more consistently you wear them—the more predictable and comfortable your treatment will be. Proper aligner care allows your teeth to move as planned, helps prevent oral health issues, and ensures your treatment stays on schedule.

This guide covers everything you need to know about caring for your aligners, maintaining excellent oral hygiene, cleaning your trays, and protecting your attachments.

Why Oral Hygiene Matters During Aligner Treatment

For aligners to work effectively, your teeth and gums must stay clean. Unlike braces, aligners fit closely over the teeth, which means plaque or food debris left behind can become trapped, increasing your risk of decay, gum inflammation, and staining on or around the attachments.

At your attachment appointment, you’ll receive a toothbrush and personalised instructions to help you maintain a high level of oral hygiene throughout your treatment.

Daily Oral Care Tips

  • Brush for at least two minutes, morning and night.
  • Floss once a night using standard floss, floss picks, or oral hygiene aids recommended by your orthodontist.
  • Use a soft toothbrush head and a fluoride toothpaste.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles wear down.
  • After removing aligners to eat, rinse your mouth with water to reduce plaque build-up during the day.
  • Be gentle when brushing near your gums and attachments to prevent irritation.

If your oral hygiene falls below a high standard, you may be at increased risk of treatment needing to be paused to prevent long-term damage. Keeping your teeth clean is one of the most important parts of successful aligner therapy.

Wearing Your Aligners Correctly

To achieve predictable, stable tooth movement, Invisalign aligners must be worn for 20–22 hours each day. Consistency is the key to your success—especially for younger patients.

Because children are often busy with school, sports, and social activities, it’s easy for aligners to be accidentally misplaced or forgotten. Regular reminders help children understand that wearing aligners and storing them safely in their case are crucial for treatment success. Setting routines, such as putting aligners directly into the case at every meal, helps children stay on track and reduces delays in alignment progress.

Aligners must be removed only for:

  • Eating any foods
  • Drinking any beverages other than cold water (hot drinks can distort aligners)
  • Brushing and flossing

Every time you remove your aligners, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching them again.

What to Expect With New Aligners

Most patients change to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, depending on your orthodontist’s instructions. You may develop a temporary lisp for a few days—this is normal and improves as your tongue adapts. Each new set of aligners can feel tight or slightly uncomfortable for the first few days. This pressure means the aligners are doing their job.

You will receive chewies to help seat your aligners properly. Bite into them several times a day to ensure the aligners fit snugly and teeth move efficiently. Chewies are reusable so rinse and store them in your case for long-term use. 

Review appointments are usually scheduled every 8–12 weeks to monitor progress. Do not try to speed up your treatment. Advancing aligners too early can delay your final result.

How to Clean Your Aligners

Clean aligners are essential for fresh breath, stain prevention, and healthy teeth.

Commit to a daily cleaning routine that follows two essential rules:

  1. Rinse aligners with cold water twice a day. Never use hot water or put aligners in the dishwasher
  2. Brush the inside and outside surfaces gently using a soft toothbrush and dishwashing liquid. Avoid toothpaste, as many formulas are abrasive and can scratch or cloud the aligner surface.

After eating, always rinse your mouth before putting your aligners back in to prevent trapping food particles against your teeth. To eliminate odours and help keep aligners clear, soak them in undiluted white vinegar for five minutes, once per week.

Looking After Your Attachments and Aligners

Aligner attachments are small, tooth-coloured ridges placed on specific teeth to help guide movement. They can feel unusual at first, but you’ll quickly get used to them.

  • Keep aligners away from pets, especially dogs.
  • Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods, as these can break attachments.
  • Keep all previous aligners until your treatment is completed (they may be needed if an emergency occurs).
  • If you lose or break an aligner, move to the next set and contact us immediately.

If you are wearing elastics, only remove them to eat and brush your teeth. Inconsistent wear allows teeth to drift back toward their original positions, adding time to your treatment.

When Aligners Are Not in Your Mouth

Always store them in their protective case. Do not wrap them in a napkin or tissue, put them in a pocket or bag, or leave them out on surfaces.

If something breaks or an attachment feels loose, contact us as soon as possible. After hours, you may temporarily move forward to the next aligner. If it does not fit well, return to the previous set and call us during business hours for guidance.

Appointments and Staying Consistent

Review appointments allow your orthodontist to check progress and make sure the aligners are tracking properly. Missing appointments can delay your overall treatment time. Aim to attend all scheduled visits to keep your smile progressing smoothly.

Aligners are one of the most effective orthodontic treatments when worn and cared for properly. With consistent wear, excellent oral hygiene, and the right daily habits, you’ll achieve a healthier, straighter smile with minimal discomfort or disruption.

If you ever feel unsure about aligner care, cleaning, breakages, or fit, contact our orthodontic team—we’re always here to help keep your treatment on track.

Shakespeare Orthodontics: Shaping a Smile You Will Love

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Ph: 09 2166 888

Our team of specialist orthodontists at Shakespeare Orthodontics includes:

  • Dr Mo Al‑Dujaili, BDS, DClinDent, MRACDS‑Orth, MOrthRCSEd
  • Dr Azza Al‑Ani, BDS, DClinDent, MRACDS‑Orth, MOrthRCSEd
  • Dr Adriana Perez, BDS (Ven/Esp), MDS‑Orth (Arg)

They provide expert care across our Auckland clinics in Takapuna, Epsom, Warkworth, and Howick, offering tailored treatment based on your individual needs.

PLEASE NOTE: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical or orthodontic advice. Each patient’s dental and orthodontic needs are unique and require personalised assessment. For accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, please consult a registered specialist orthodontist.

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Dr. Adriana Perez

BDS (Ven/Esp) | MDS-Orth (Arg)
 
Dr. Adriana Perez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. She is one of the registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland.

 

In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.

In the year 2011, Adriana moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip new-born, children, and adolescent patients.

Adriana is a Spanish speaker. On her spare time she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.

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Orthodontist Adriana Perez

Dr. Azza Al-Ani

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Dr Azza Al-Ani, grew up in Christchurch, is a registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland. You can find her at one of the clinics in the city, or at their Takapuna clinic on the North Shore. 

In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago.

She worked as a dental house surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals; and as a dental officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

In 2012, she completed the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) primary examinations.

Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.

In 2016, Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, and the New Zealand Dental Association.

Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia.
She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting, and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Outside of work, Azza loves spending time with her son and Mo (her husband), socialising with family and friends, overseas travel, and tries to keep up with Mo mountain biking.

Waiheke Island

Dr. Mo Al-Dujaili

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Mo is a Specialist Orthodontist. He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia.

After completing a year in Health Sciences, and later physiotherapy, he qualified as a dentist in New Zealand. He spent the next four years working alongside his father in Sydney where he practised general dentistry. Mo then returned to Dunedin to specialise, gaining his specialist degree – Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago.

During the three years of specialist training, Mo had the privilege of learning from the best. The combined clinical and academic acumen of professors, doctors and staff provided an invaluable experience.

Meanwhile, Mo published and presented significant research and clinical cases at both national and international forums, including the International Association of Dental Research, the Australasian Begg Society of Orthodontics, the European Orthodontic Society and the New Zealand Dental Association conference.

A firm believer in maintaining high clinical standards, Mo successfully completed further examinations to become affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Sydney).

Mo is currently a part time senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists and also holds professional memberships with the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists.

He has also been involved in the supervising and lecturing of students at the Auckland University of Technology.

Outside of work, Mo enjoys the precious time with his young family and the outdoors. He especially loves mountain biking, running, fishing, diving and, in winter, snowboarding.

Traveling along with his best friend and wife (Azza) around the world has also been a big part of Mo’s life. Mo is primarily based in Shakespeare Orthodontic’s city clinics and on the North Shore.

 
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Mo holding a large snapper