5 Tips to Easily Remove Your Clear Aligners

Do you find that your clear aligners are getting stuck to your teeth and you have trouble removing them? If this is a frequent occurrence for you, this doesn’t mean that it’s time to get frustrated and give up. It is important that your aligners are fitted close to your teeth so they can move effectively. There are steps that you can take to make taking them out a breeze. Here are five tips to help you easily remove your clear aligners without breaking a sweat.

Remove Your Aligners from the Back

Instead of tugging at your aligners from the front, try removing them from the back. By positioning your fingertips on the back molars and pulling the aligners away from your teeth, you can slowly and effectively remove them. You could also try taking turns on each side of your mouth until they pop out.

Avoid Cold Drinks Beforehand

If you take a sip of an ice-cold glass of water, this can make the removal process more challenging. Ultimately, the plastic is less flexible when it is exposed to a cooler temperature, making it more difficult to loosen its grip from the teeth. On the other hand, you should also avoid drinking hot beverages before taking out your aligners, as this can distort the shape. It is best to remove your aligners at room temperature.

Remove Your Aligners with a Dry Mouth

To get a better grip on your aligners, try opening your mouth for a few seconds before removing your trays. This will temporarily dry out your mouth, making it easier for you to get a hold of. On top of that, it also helps to have dry fingertips during this process.

Use an Aligner Hook

Aligner hooks look like small crochet hooks. These tools are a helpful way to remove your aligners when there are additional attachments keeping them in place, like buttons. To use an alignment hook, place it at the end of your aligner and gently use the hook to lift it from your teeth and detach. Be especially careful not to hook your gum.

Cut Your Nails

If you love the appearance of long, manicured nails, this can make it more difficult for you to care for your clear aligners. Long nails make it very challenging to remove your aligners effectively, and you could accidentally end up with broken nails and mouth injuries. Ultimately, it is more strategic to trim your nails before trying to take out your aligners.

Clear aligners can take some time to get used to, but with a little bit of practice and by using the tips listed above, you will get the hang of it!

About the Practice

At Orange Place Family Dentistry, Dr. Jed M. Koops and Dr. Thanh Mollica work together to treat patients in the Beachwood community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about clear aligners or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (216) 464-2448.