How do you clean clear aligners?
Align Technology’s April 2026 article gives its daily routine in two short lines: “Clean your aligners daily. Use a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water; avoid hot water which can warp the material.”
A soft toothbrush and lukewarm water, every day, is the routine Align Technology gives for its aligners in an April 2026 article, which also says to avoid hot water because it can warp the material. The American Association of Orthodontists says to remove aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water and give them a thorough cleaning too, and that the orthodontist or staff will brief you on any special instructions.
Align’s daily routine: a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water
Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign® aligners, builds its routine around a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water. Align’s April 2026 article on the first two weeks of treatment says to clean the aligners daily that way, and Align’s July 2024 article on accessories adds the rinse: “Brush your aligners with a soft bristled toothbrush and thoroughly rinse them with lukewarm water before putting them in your mouth.”
Read together, Align’s two lines give a frequency and an order: daily, and brushed and rinsed before the aligners go back in the mouth. Both are Align’s instructions for its own aligners, and what applies to yours is a question for your orthodontist’s staff.
Teeth and aligners: what the AAO says about each
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) speaks of the teeth and the aligners separately. The AAO’s December 2025 article on oral hygiene during treatment says “If you’re wearing aligners, make sure to remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water, and give them a thorough cleaning too,” and says of the teeth “Ideally, you should be brushing after every meal with toothpaste.”
The toothpaste in that line is for the teeth, and the article does not spell out what a thorough cleaning of aligners involves. The AAO’s FAQ adds the order at mealtimes: “After you are done drinking or eating, brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.” When the aligners have to come out at all belongs with what you can eat and drink with clear aligners.
Damage, by Align’s account: hot water can warp aligners, and the case protects them
Hot water is the hazard Align’s cleaning line names, in an April 2026 article that says to “avoid hot water which can warp the material.” A warped aligner is a changed shape, and the AAO’s glossary describes aligners as “Clear, thin, removable trays that are formed to fit an individual’s teeth.” If an aligner has warped, call the orthodontist’s office.
Between wears, the case is the protection Align names. Align’s April 2026 article says “Store your aligners in their case. Always use the case to prevent loss or damage when not in use,” and Align’s July 2024 article says to store removed aligners in a protective case to keep them safe from damage. The AAO’s June 2024 article says “When you remove your aligners, make it a habit to slip them into their case.”
Who gives you the routine for your own aligners
The routine for your own aligners comes from the orthodontist’s office, in the AAO’s account. The AAO’s FAQ says “Your orthodontist or a member of the orthodontist’s staff will brief you on brushing, flossing, toothpaste, rinses and other hygiene tools for your teeth, as well as any special instructions on cleaning your aligners.”
That briefing is the place for whatever Align’s and the AAO’s lines leave open, such as toothpaste on the aligners or any cleaning product. Cleaning is one part of daily life in aligners, a subject the treatment page on clear aligners takes up with meals and the case, and other answers about it are grouped on the questions page. A clear retainer, worn after treatment ends, has its own care instructions under cleaning a clear retainer.
Toothpaste and hot water: more on cleaning aligners
Does toothpaste go on clear aligners?
Align’s pages differ on that. Align’s April 2026 line names a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water, as does its July 2024 line, and neither mentions toothpaste, while its April 2025 article on treatment during pregnancy says “Use a soft-bristle toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste and water to clean your aligners.” The American Association of Orthodontists’ line about toothpaste concerns brushing teeth. For your own aligners, that question goes to the orthodontist’s staff.
Why can’t aligners be cleaned in hot water?
Align Technology’s reason is the material: its April 2026 article says to avoid hot water, which it says can warp the material. Lukewarm water is the temperature Align’s cleaning lines name.
Sources
- Align Technology (invisalign.com), Invisalign Week 1 vs Week 2: Your First Two Weeks Journey
- Align Technology (invisalign.com), Cases for Invisalign Aligners
- Align Technology (invisalign.com), Invisalign Treatment and Pregnancy
- American Association of Orthodontists, Orthodontic FAQs: Your Questions Answered (read November 6, 2026)
- American Association of Orthodontists, Oral Hygiene Tips During Orthodontic Treatment
- American Association of Orthodontists, Clear Aligner Therapy: How Transparent Aligners Work
- American Association of Orthodontists, Glossary of Orthodontic Terms
Ask how to look after clear aligners at a consultation
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