The 10 Essentials You Need to Survive Your Invisalign / Clear Aligners Treatment

Ahoy there! I know it’s been a long while since my last post (and this one has been sitting in the drafts for quite some time now) that I am happy to come to you with something very lifestyle.

I, myself, have embarked on a clear aligners journey within the past year. Truth be told, I had some lower overcrowding that was making keeping up with my teeth very cumbersome. In an effort to improve my oral health (less food getting trapped, more ease of flossing, etc.), I got myself onto the clear aligners train. Bonus is that, while it didn’t really bother me aesthetically too much, my lower teeth are finally going to get their chance to shine (no pun intended) individually, straight up!

With all of that said, I have consulted my own doctors, hygienists, tons of forums, and my own trial and errors to come up with my 10 key essentials that I would 10000% recommend if you are on the clear aligner journey!

Let’s get to it!

1. Zima Dental Pod

Keeping your aligners sparkly clean is a high priority during this journey as they are going to collect so much rubbish from food particles in your mouth and saliva, which breeds a hot spot club for bacteria that can lead to things like baby cavities (ew no, stay away). Without proper care, your aligners will start to get cloudy and yellow.

The solution is this Zima Dental Pod (just click the link to see it in action) that uses ultrasound stainless steel reverberation. It comes in cute colors (I have the white) and a money-back guarantee if you aren’t feeling it. Though, trust me, you’re going to love it. I’ve traveled with it and have accidentally left it in two hotels and have called to be reunited with my beloved pod each and every time.

Just put in some water into the pod, pop the aligners in, turn it on, and in 5 minutes you have all of that gunk shaken off! Which leads me to the next product essential I love to add in there:

2. Daily Aligner Cleanser Tablets by PUL 

I have searched far and wide (and have read the tiny prints) for the best cleaner that I feel most comfortable using. These daily aligner cleanser tablets by PUL are my most favorite, mostly because unlike so many other products I came across and tested, they do not have artificial dye in them and they don’t leave your aligners feeling slime-y. I usually use one in the morning, to clear away all of that stuff from the sleeping night and then once again before bed! And in my dental pod, it’s just *chef’s kiss* :).

3. Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser

This is, yet again, one of those things that I always travel with! Fortunately, I’ve only had to ask one hotel to send it back to me (haha). Using my Waterpik Flosser is always step #1 in my brushing routine! I love that it holds a good amount of water in the tank (I usually just refill once), has three speed settings and a charge lasts me like a month! It always amazes me just how much I can get out between my teeth that just regular flossing alone won’t! I always follow-up with my next favorite product:

4. Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss, Dentist-Designed Oral Care

I LOVE this floss because it is a little thicker than your regular floss and really grabs all of the things left clinging to your teeth right out! I love that it is woven, doesn’t have the yucky chemicals in traditional floss and is infused with coconut oil. Oh! And it also has a measuring dial on the back, so you know how much you have left “60 days, 30 days, 14 days.”

I like to buy the 3-pack because I save a little than purchasing individually and I can make sure I have one for home, in my bag, etc. versus trying to remember bringing the ONE. It always comes in a pinch, especially when going out to restaurants! Your teeth are shifting, one tooth might not catch food today, but it will in 4 weeks from now. You know how it goes (or, you will soon find out! haha).

I have tried all of the “flavors” and, personally, I don’t really taste anything different! Maybe because it’s so light? However, I stick to the original coconut because I just love how it smells :). And if you are looking for a travel bundle, with minis, check this one here!

5. Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush

Seriously, the biggest thanks goes to my hygienist in TriBeCa (who is now on the Upper East Side) because I told her my tooth concerns and she turned me onto the Sonicare Toothbrush. I was previously using the Oral B oscillating one and when I tell you that this one was just such a game changer, it was a. game. changer. So much that my husband requested one for himself as well after testing mine with an extra head! With three brushing modes and 3 intensity settings, I can adjust how much I want to handle, especially on days where my teeth are a little extra sensitive. Bonus that the battery lasts a long time and it comes with a very cute travel case!

This toothbrush has worked so well with my teeth that I even impressed the same hygienist that recommended it to me when I went in for my next cleaning with how much cleaner my teeth were!

The toothbrush already comes with 2 normal heads, but if you are a little more sensitive like I am, put these sensitive brush heads in your cart as well — I love them!

6. Boka Fluoride Free Toothpaste – Nano Hydroxyapatite, Remineralizing, Sensitive Teeth, Whitening

Toothpaste has always been a sensitive topic for me (no pun intended!) because a lot of them are filled with questionable things and, personally, have been too brash.

I am so happy to have found the Boka Toothpaste that has nano hydroyapatite, proven to help remineralize your teeth and is perfect for sensitive teeth. It doesn’t have SLS, Parabens, artificial flavors nor any artificial colors. The mint is not overpowering and leaves my teeth feeling refreshed and clean :). I usually have two on hand: one I keep in my bathroom and the other I toss in my travel bag. Bonus is that these Muji tubes (also available on amazon) let me take them with me and refill as necessary for smaller bags!

I also love using this Dr. Michelle sensitive tooth powder to help with any extra remineralization (and just to switch it up :)).

7. Boka Tongue Scraper With Travel Pouch

We cannot neglect our tongue in our routine! Having clear aligners makes me hyper aware of ensuring that everything in my mouth stays healthy and that includes my tongue! I like the Boka Tongue Scraper because its wide enough for a comfortable, yet gentle, scraping. I’ve tried others and they often feel too narrow! It’s made from non-toxic, stainless steel material which makes it rust proof! So important because I’ve had scrapers from other brands that have rusted indeed! Bonus is the little travel pouch it comes with; it’s so useful, ensuring that my scraper is protected at all times.

8. Boka Travel Size Mouthwash Tablets

While I just adore my everyday mouthwash by Dr. Michelle, the glass bottle is big & difficult to travel with! Enter the Boka Mouthwash Tooth Tablets! They are tiny, perfect for travel, and do not need any water! (Don’t ever have to worry about the 3 oz. rule at airports or something spilling into your bag again!).

You just pop them into your mouth, chew and, with the power of your own saliva, swish around! After 30 seconds you are done. Spit out and resume with your activities! The Mouthwash Tablets contains the nano hydrapatite for remineralizing and doesn’t contain any of the other yucky stuff, including alcohol! Perfect for sensitive teeth. Perfect for on-the-go!

9. Dental Aligner Trays Seater Chewies

Your dentist may send you home with just a couple of these after your initial clear aligner appointment but, in my experience, I am so happy that I have my own stash of additional chewies! I cannot tell you how many times I have suddenly misplaced my little chewie (oops!), felt that it wasn’t as ‘chewy’ enough anymore, or just thought it was time to retire it because it was feeling a little, erm, germy. I like using a new one for my new sets of aligners. Maybe that’s just me, but ensuring that I have these on hand (and extras) at all times (bathroom, travel bags, purse, etc.), ensures that I am being a good student and doing my little chewy exercises / homework as I am supposed to! Ensuring my treatment goes as planned :).

10. Dr Plotkas Extra Soft Flossing Toothbrush, Folding Travel Toothbrush

Last, and certainly not least (!), are these folding tooth brushes from Dr Plotka! Folding toothbrushes are great for keeping one in your bag and maybe one in the car, without taking up so much room! What drew me into these toothbrushes was the soft bristles with flossing (they engineered it so the tippity tops of the bristles actually are smaller than the bottoms of the bristles for sneaky flossing!). Not only that, but it’s also silver infused. My mouthwash is silver infused, so I know the benefits of using it to strengthen weakened enamel and help reverse any decay. But, it is also antimicrobial (!) and Dr. Plotkas Toothbrushes are infused with this, meaning that it does a little self-cleaning in a couple of hours, making it ready for your next brushing session! It’s great for sensitive teeth and, can you just tell how much I love them?

I love these travel toothbrushes so much that I actually also ordered, have and use as a back-up to my electric toothbrush their regular-sized toothbrushes!

BONUS: The City Essentials Pouch Mini

All of your travel stuff needs to fit in a small, dedicated pouch, and I found this Lululemon one to work just swell! I specifically made sure that it was water resistant (lots of splish splash happening!) and was easy to just throw in a travel bag. It’s my aligner kit and holds of my aligner treasures inside (including my next and previous aligner set!)

And there we have it, my top 10 essentials to surviving the clear aligners journey! Hope you love them as much as I do!

Congratulations on your aligner journey, better oral care journey, and if this has helped you, leave us a comment below! Or any question you may have! Share it with someone who is thinking about aligners, currently on it, or will be in the future!

You got this ;).

xx,