If you’re about to start your journey with clear aligners, you may be overwhelmed with the sheer volume of information out there.
Hi, my name is Sarah and I completed my Invisalign journey in 75 weeks!
This blog documents my own personal experience with wearing Invisalign aligners - all the ups and the downs.
This blog does not constitute medical advice, so speak to a dental professional about any specific concerns.
I’ve created this list of essential and non-essential Invisalign accessories.
Exciting times ahead! But, just like setting off on any adventure, it’s always best to be well-prepared.
There are some absolute must-have essentials you’ll want to stock up on before you pop in that first aligner tray.
Drawing from my own Invisalign experience, I’ve compiled a list of items that will make your journey smoother, more comfortable, and yes, even a tad stylish.
Ready to gear up for your teeth-straightening adventure? Let’s dive in!
A Case For Your Aligners
Most providers of clear aligners (including Invisalign) will give you a single case for your aligners.
But look – you’ll have to play Tetris with your trays every time you want to put them in the case (at least, that’s what happens with Invisalign)
Also, it’s handy to have multiple cases – one for the car, one for work, one for the kitchen, one for your bag, etc – as you never know when you’ll be out and about and need a snack!
The case provided by Invisalign is pretty basic – there’s no mirror, light or any of the other features available on Amazon.
Aligner Removal Tool (PulTool or OrthoKey)
One of the hardest parts at the start of your Invisalign journey is having to take the trays in and out.
At first, it feels like you’re pulling your teeth out of your mouth!
After a while, you’ll be able to quickly whip your trays out in no time, but at the start, removing them is extremely difficult.
So, the PulTool or Orthokey is a must-have for new aligner wearers.
It’s also more hygienic than using your fingers and fingernails to unhook your trays from your teeth.
If you have acrylic nails or nail extensions, you risk damaging your nails and your trays by removing them with too much force.
With a PulTool or Orthokey, you can easily unhook the trays from behind the back teeth until they’re easy to remove.
You can also wash and sterilize your aligner removal tool after every use.
Chewies or Munchies
Chewies (sometimes called munchies) are spongey pieces of silicone for you to chew on to help your aligners seat properly.
When your aligners are new, or you’ve just changed to a new tray, they may not fit perfectly.
That’s where Chewies come in!
Spend 5-10 minutes gently biting down on a chewie after changing to a new tray.
This will help ensure the tray is fitting tightly around your teeth so it can get to work!
There are cylinder shaped chewies and Y-shaped chewies. Both work in exactly the same way, so the choice is yours!
Baby teething rings also work well for this purpose (just make sure you’re sterilizing them first!)
Hygiene Essentials: Water Flosser
This has been a game-changer when it comes to oral hygiene!
You’ll know that your oral hygiene regime needs to be thorough as hell when you’re wearing aligners.
The water flosser makes this so easy! It’s like a pressure washer for your gums, and it feels amazing.
Ultrasonic Cleaning Pod
Many people will tell you this is a luxury – not an essential – but I wholeheartedly disagree.
Instead of having to scrub your trays every day with a brush – why not drop them inside an ultrasonic cleaning pod and let that do the hard work instead!?
These pods get filled with water (and an optional fizzy cleaning tablet) – then the pod will vibrate 42,000 times per second! This dislodges microscopic dirt and particles from your trays leaving them sparkly clean!
Seriously – a game changer.
Plus, you’ll likely be wearing retainers after your treatment finishes, so you can continue to use it to keep your retainers fresh.
It’s also handy for cleaning jewellery, earrings, keys and other small items.
I’ve been through 3 cheap $25 Ultrasonic Cleaning Pods which all gave up after about a month of daily use.
I finally caved and bought the ‘Zima Dental’ pod – which is still going strong so far!
Retainer Cleaning Tablets
Alongside your Ultrasonic cleaning pod, you can also put some effervescent tablets inside the pod with some water to sterilize and clean your trays.
These tablets work in a similar way to denture cleaning tablets, but they’re formulated especially for clear plastic used in retainers and aligners.
With these tablets, even without an ultrasonic cleaner, you can soak your aligners for up to 20 minutes to remove plaque, odor and stains from your trays.
Electric Toothbrush
Give yourself a break – let an electric toothbrush do the hard work for you.
As your brushing and flossing routine is about to take twice as much time as it usually does, save yourself some effort by investing in an electric toothbrush.
I know there’s no difference between electric and manual toothbrushes (unless you have dexterity issues), but my teeth just feel so much cleaner after the electric toothbrush!
Orthodontic Wax
Just like traditional braces, sometimes your trays can irritate your gums, lips and tongue.
Fortunately, orthodontic wax is an accessible and affordable way to reduce this irritation.
You only need a tiny amount, roll it between your fingers and stick it on the tray in the exact spot where your aligner is bothering you.
The wax creates a barrier – and no more irritation!
See Also: Rating My Invisalign Trays for Pain (out of 10)
Peroxyl Mouthwash
On the topic of your trays irritating you – this miracle mouthwash is the other part of the solution!
Colgate Peroxyl Mouthwash is an antiseptic mouthwash that contains Hydrogen Peroxide.
This irrigates and disinfects any mouth sores, canker sores and gum irritation caused by your Invisalign (or other clear aligner) trays.
Use it 2-3 times per day and you’ll be surprized at how quickly this stuff works!
Whatever mouthwash you use – make sure it’s alcohol-free (because alcohol can damage the plastic used in your trays!)
Sensodyne Rapid Relief Toothpaste
At some point during your journey towards straighter teeth, you’re going to experience some pain and sensitivity as your teeth and jaw adjust to their new positions.
Remember, you’re moving your teeth. That means pain and sensitivity for your teeth and gums!
If this becomes bothersome, this Sensodyne Rapid Relief toothpaste is here to save the day.
When my teeth are feeling particularly sensitive after changing trays, I take a small amount of this toothpaste and rub it directly onto my tooth surface, then put the tray on top to ‘trap’ the toothpaste there for a few hours.
The ingredients in Sensodyne Rapid Relief (including Sodium Fluoride and Stannous Fluoride) penetrate through your tooth’s enamel to reduce sensitivity from the inside out – it really works!
Canker Sore Treatment
Mouth ulcers and canker sores are unpleasant at the best of times, but wearing clear aligners can often make them worse, or create new canker sores.
The edges of your trays can sometimes irritate the soft tissue in your mouth, so over the counter canker sore treatment can be your best friend!
Fortunately, it’s relatively inexpensive and these treatments work fast!
Lip Balm, Vaseline or Chapstick
Don’t ask me why – but your lips become incredibly dry while wearing Invisalign or other clear aligners.
Perhaps it’s to do with the change in saliva flow while wearing trays, but either way, it’s annoying.
I always have tubes of Chapstick and lip balm within arms reach since starting my Invisalign treatment!
I’ve also removed SLS-containing products from my routine to help with this, but my lips still feel dry as hell!
Lip balm. It’s an easy solution.
A Refillable Water Bottle
Ah – water. It’s going to be your beverage of choice for a while.
You’ll have surely been told that you can’t drink – basically anything else – with your aligners in.
Sugary drinks will get trapped within your trays and destroy your enamel.
Hot drinks will damage and warp the trays, possibly even melting the plastic!
Colored drinks will stain your trays and turn them a luminous yellow, orange or green color!
So, water it is.
Non-Essential Invisalign Accessories
The following items are nice to have, but you definitely don’t need them!
MoveMints
These are definitely a luxury – nice to have – item. But you certainty don’t need them.
MoveMints are sugar-free xylitol mints that are shaped in a way so that they act a bit like a chewie.
MoveMints are shaped to fit between the top and bottom trays of clear aligners.
They help in seating the aligners properly, ensuring they are snug against the teeth, which can aid in the effectiveness of the treatment.
Unlike regular mints, MoveMints are designed to be chewed.
The act of chewing helps in seating the aligners better and can also provide relief from the initial tightness when switching to a new set of trays.
Colgate Whisps
Colgate Wisp is a disposable mini-toothbrush designed for on-the-go use, allowing individuals to freshen up when they don’t have access to their regular toothbrush or toothpaste.
These are handy if you’re wearing trays, as they make it simple and convenient to brush your teeth on the go.
They’re designed to be waterless – so you can use them without access to running water.
⚠ Colgate Whisps are not Vegetarian or Vegan-Friendly. They contain beef gelatin.
UV Sterilizer (for baby pacifiers)
UV (ultraviolet) sterilizers are devices that use ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying their DNA, preventing them from reproducing and spreading.
UV sterilizers are often portable and can quickly sterilize a pacifier (or your trays!) without the need for water or chemicals.
This is especially handy when traveling or when you’re out and about.
Over time, Invisalign trays can develop stains or an unpleasant odor due to the accumulation of bacteria and food particles.
Regular sterilization in an Ultrasonic Cleaning Pod or UV Sterilizer can help in preventing this.
Summary
Wrapping up our Invisalign essentials journey, it’s clear that embarking on the path to a straighter smile requires a tad more than just those transparent trays.
From specialized cleaning solutions to handy storage cases, being well-prepared can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Remember, it’s not just about moving those teeth; it’s about maintaining optimal oral health and comfort throughout the process.
So, before you pop in that first set of aligners, make sure you’ve got these must-haves on your checklist.
Here’s to a confident and radiant smile, every step of the way! 🦷✨🎉
