Caring for your clear aligners
Clear aligners work when you do two simple things well. Wear them 20 to 22 hours a day, and keep them clean. Take them out only to eat and to drink anything other than water, rinse and gently brush them daily, store them in their case, and change to the next set on schedule. Do that and your treatment stays right on track.
★ 4.9 from 75 Google reviews · Specialist orthodontist · Real patient results · Newmarket, Auckland
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Wear them 20 to 22 hours a day
Aligners only move your teeth while they are in your mouth, so wear time is everything. The more consistently you wear them, the smoother and faster your result.
20 to 22 hours a day
Wear your aligners all day and all night, taking them out only to eat and to clean your teeth. Aim for 20 to 22 hours every day. Consistent wear is the single biggest thing you can do to finish on time with a great result.
Off only to eat and drink
Remove your aligners for meals and for any drink other than plain water. Coffee, tea, juice and fizzy drinks can stain or warp them, and chewing with them in can crack them. Plain water is the one thing you can sip with them in.
A snug, comfy fit
A new set can feel tight for a day or two, which means it is working. Gently biting on chewies helps seat each aligner fully. Any tenderness eases quickly and is a normal sign your teeth are moving as planned.
Clean your aligners every day
Aligners sit against your teeth for hours, so a quick daily clean keeps them clear, fresh and healthy. It takes less than a minute.
Rinse and brush gently
Rinse your aligners every time they come out, and once a day brush them gently inside and out with a soft toothbrush and a little clear soap or aligner cleaner. Rinse them well before they go back in so they stay clear and smell fresh.
Cool water only
Never use hot water, boiling water or a dishwasher on your aligners, as heat distorts the plastic and ruins the fit. Skip coloured or abrasive toothpaste too, which scratches them and turns them cloudy. Cool water and a soft brush are all they need.
Clean teeth first
Brush and floss before you put your aligners back in. Sealing food or plaque against your teeth for hours invites decay and bad breath. If you are out and about, at least rinse your mouth and your aligners before you reinsert them.
Storing, changing and staying on track
A few small habits keep your aligners safe and your plan moving. Get these right and treatment looks after itself.
Always in its case
Whenever your aligners are out, they go straight into their protective case, never wrapped in a napkin. Napkin wrapped aligners get thrown out or sat on, and a lost set costs time and money. Keep the case with you so it is always to hand.
Change on schedule
Move to your next set exactly when we tell you, usually every one to two weeks, and swap at bedtime so the new set settles overnight. Keep your last set until the new one fits well, and check them off so you always know your number.
Staying on track
If an aligner will not seat, a set feels loose, or you lose one, phone us on (09) 520 1880 before opening the next. A quick check keeps your plan on course and your finish date where it should be.
Clear aligner care, at a glance
Discreet, custom made, comfortable
Milk primarily uses Angel Aligners, a modern, near invisible system custom made for your teeth. If you are considering clear aligners or want to understand your options, learn more or book a free Smile Assessment and we will see if they suit you.
Answered honestly
How many hours a day should I wear my clear aligners?
Wear them 20 to 22 hours a day, all day and all night, taking them out only to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to clean your teeth. Aligners only move your teeth while they are in, so consistent wear is what keeps your treatment on time and your result on track.
How do I clean my clear aligners?
Rinse them whenever they come out, and once a day brush them gently inside and out with a soft brush and a little clear soap or aligner cleaner, then rinse before you put them back in. Use cool water only, never hot water or a dishwasher, and avoid coloured or abrasive toothpaste that scratches the plastic.
Can I eat and drink with clear aligners in?
Take your aligners out to eat and to drink anything other than plain water. Hot drinks, coffee, tea, juice and fizzy drinks can stain or warp them, and chewing with them in can crack them. Brush or at least rinse before you put them back so food is not sealed against your teeth.
What should I do if I lose an aligner or it will not fit?
Put your previous set back in, keep wearing it, and phone us on (09) 520 1880 before moving to the next one. Do not skip ahead on your own. We will get you back on track quickly, often by wearing the last set a little longer or by ordering a replacement.
See if clear aligners suit you
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. No referral needed, no obligation, just honest specialist advice on your smile and the best way to get there.