Always remove your aligners before eating. Brush your teeth and clean the aligners before putting them back in. Inadequate cleaning can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Do not clean clear aligners with very hot water.

Keep aligners in their case whenever you remove them, even briefly, as clear aligners are easy to lose. Do not discard recently completed aligners right away. Keep one or two previous sets clean as a temporary option until you can visit your clinic if an aligner is lost or damaged.

Slight discoloration can occur even with normal use. If discoloration is accompanied by deformation and the aligner no longer fits, wear your previous aligner and visit your clinic for an assessment as soon as possible.

Aligners can occasionally develop holes or become damaged. Contact your clinic and describe the condition accurately. Follow its guidance on whether to continue wearing the aligner or use the previous set until you can visit for an assessment.

A slight gap near the molars can occur when you begin a new aligner. Bite down gently to seat the aligner properly; in most cases, the gap reduces with wear time. If the aligner feels very uncomfortable or does not fit properly, visit your clinic for an assessment.

An aligner may be difficult to seat for several reasons. If tooth angles differ, try gently adjusting the angle of insertion to match the teeth. Accumulated minor discrepancies or deformation of the aligner can also affect fit.

If you cannot seat the aligner on your own, visit your clinic for an assessment. Wear the most recent aligner that fits until your appointment.