Congratulations on starting your smile journey with clear aligners!
To get the best results and keep your aligners in great condition, follow these easy guidelines:
✅ How to Wear Your Aligners
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- Wear your aligners 20–22 hours a day (day and night!)
Only remove them to eat, drink anything besides water, or brush/floss your teeth.
- Wear your aligners 20–22 hours a day (day and night!)
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- Change to your next set as directed
Usually every 1-2 weeks unless instructed otherwise.
- Change to your next set as directed
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- Always wear your aligners in the correct order
Skipping ahead can cause poor fit or discomfort.
- Always wear your aligners in the correct order
🧼 How to Clean Your Aligners
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- Rinse with lukewarm water every time you remove them
This helps prevent buildup and keeps them fresh.
- Rinse with lukewarm water every time you remove them
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- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush twice a day
Use clear, mild soap—not toothpaste, which can scratch the aligners.
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush twice a day
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- Deep clean 1–2 times a week
Use an aligner cleaning crystal, retainer cleaning foam, or diluted white vinegar (1:1 with water) soak for 15–30 mins, then rinse off. Ultrasonic machines work well too!
- Deep clean 1–2 times a week
🚫 What NOT to Do
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- ❌ Do not eat or drink anything (except water) with aligners in
Food and colored drinks can stain, warp, or crack them.
- ❌ Do not eat or drink anything (except water) with aligners in
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- ❌ Do not use hot water to clean aligners
Heat can permanently distort the plastic.
- ❌ Do not use hot water to clean aligners
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- ❌ Do not wrap aligners in napkins or place in your pocket
They’re easy to lose or accidentally throw away.
- ❌ Do not wrap aligners in napkins or place in your pocket
📦 When Not Wearing Them
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- Always store aligners in your case
Never leave them out or exposed to air.
- Always store aligners in your case
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- Keep away from pets – dogs especially love to chew on them!
🕳️ Attachments, Chewies & Fit Tips
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- Use chewies as directed
Gently bite on them for 5–10 minutes each time you put in new aligners to help them seat properly, checking your teeth all around from front to back.
- Use chewies as directed
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- Make sure aligners fit snugly
Gaps between your teeth and aligners mean they’re not tracking. Let us know if this happens, and chew on those chewies to help seat your aligners better.
- Make sure aligners fit snugly
🦷 Oral Hygiene is Key
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- Brush and floss after every meal before putting aligners back in.
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- Dirty teeth + aligners = trapped bacteria, bad breath, and risk of cavities.
📅 Appointments & Progress
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- Keep up with your scheduled check-ins
These help us track your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
- Keep up with your scheduled check-ins
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- Safely store and keep all previous aligners in case you need to go back to a previous step.
🆘 If You Lose or Damage an Aligner
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- Contact our office as soon as possible
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- Do not skip ahead to the next set unless instructed
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- Keep all previous aligners in case you need to wear one as a backup
If you have any questions or concerns, call or text us at (818) 572-0670.
We’re here to help every step of the way!
– LA Smile Co. Orthodontics
📍 Glendale, CA | @drhennakimortho
