It’s a Snap! How to Easily Remove Your Clear Aligners

Clear aligners can be an excellent way to bring your teeth into a better alignment without the dietary restrictions and conspicuous metal wires that come with traditional braces. This is possible because the clear aligners it uses can be removed from and reinserted into their positions. Since some people can have difficulty learning how to remove their clear aligners, here are a few tips to get them off your teeth safely and comfortably.

Tips to Remove Your Clear Aligners

Warm Up Your Mouth

Colder temperatures make materials more rigid and stubborn, and many patients report that it’s harder to remove their clear aligners after drinking cold water. You might try drinking warmer water or opening your mouth for a few seconds before you try to get them out.

Start at the Molars

It’s best to start from the back when removing your clear aligners. One way is to lift the aligner from the molars on each side simultaneously, but some patients report having an easier time when they start on one side and work to the other. If your aligner has an attachment, it can be harder to remove. Start by lifting the less stubborn parts of the aligner and get to the bits with the attachments last. If you are dealing with an especially difficult area, get your fingernails beneath the aligner at that point and lift it from the teeth.

Paper Towels Can Help

All the saliva in your mouth can make your aligners slippery. Many patients find that using thick paper towels can allow them to get a solid grip on the aligner. Hold the paper towel in your hand, firmly grip the aligner through it, and pull it away from the molars. Repeat this on the opposite side and then the front area.

Many patients report that very fine surgical gloves can improve your grip while still allowing you to feel the teeth and aligners. You can buy them in boxes of 50 or 100.

Have Patience while Removing Your Clear Aligners

Removing your aligners soon after they are first placed can be difficult, but after an aligner has had some time to realign the teeth, it should be more easily removed. For this reason, it might be best to change aligners in the evening when it comes time to start a new set. This way, you can sleep through the uncomfortable adjustment period, and you should have an easier time removing them in the morning.

One of the best things you can do to help get your aligners out is to relax. It’s much harder to figure out a task if your brain is overwhelmed or in a state of panic. Take a ten-minute break if you have to, and remember that you’ll get better at it with time.

About the Author

Dr. Maryam Ashraghi earned her dental doctorate in 2003 before completing three years of specialty training in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. With more than twenty years of experience in the dental field, she provides her patients with expert dental care and a relaxing environment at her office in Burke, VA. Her areas of expertise include preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry, as well as clear aligner treatments. To learn more about living with clear aligners, contact her office online or dial (703) 440-7010.