Your first aligners
Welcome to your new smile.
Everything you need to know for day one — how to put your aligners in, take them out, how long to wear them, and how to keep them clean. Each step has a short video and written instructions.
1 · How to put your aligners in
- Wash your hands and rinse the aligner with cool water.
- Check the marking. Each aligner is labeled — upper (U) or lower (L) and the step number. Start with the set for your current step.
- Front teeth first. Line the aligner up over your front teeth and gently push it on.
- Then the back teeth. Use your fingertips to press down evenly over the molars on both sides until the aligner sits flat with no gaps.
- Never bite it into place. Biting can crack the aligner. Use fingertip pressure only.
- Chewies help. If you were given chewies, bite on them gently for a few minutes to seat the aligner fully.
Feeling pressure? That's normal for the first day or two of every new step — it means the aligner is working. If an aligner won't seat after a few tries, don't force it — message us.
2 · How to take your aligners out
- Start at the back. Place a fingertip on the inside of the aligner behind your back molar on one side and gently lift it off the teeth.
- Other side. Repeat on the opposite side so both back ends are loose.
- Then the front. Work forward and lift the aligner off your front teeth.
- Be gentle. Don't twist or pull hard from the front — that's how aligners crack.
- Straight into the case. Rinse it and put it in your case right away (see step 3).
Hard to remove? It gets easier after the first few days. An aligner removal tool or a dry paper towel for grip can help.
3 · How long to wear them
22 hours a dayYes — even while you sleep
- Wear your aligners 22 hours every day, including overnight. Your teeth only move while the aligners are in.
- Take them out only to eat, to drink anything other than plain water, and to brush and floss.
- Out of your mouth = in your case. Every single time. Never wrap them in a napkin or set them on a plate — that's how aligners get thrown away or crushed.
- Put them straight back in after eating. Rinse or brush first if you can.
- Follow your step schedule. Change to the next set exactly when Dr. Delgado's plan says to — not sooner, not later.
Why the case matters: aligners are custom-made and expensive to replace, and losing a set can set your treatment back by weeks. Keep the case with you everywhere.
4 · How to clean your aligners
- Rinse the aligners under cool running water every time you take them out and before you put them back in.
- Clean with soap & water. A drop of clear liquid hand soap, rubbed gently over the inside and outside with your fingertips, then rinsed well. Do this at least once a day.
- Never use toothpaste. Toothpaste is abrasive — it scratches the plastic and turns clear aligners cloudy.
- Never use hot water. Heat warps aligners so they no longer fit.
- Keep the case clean too. Wash it with soap and water and let it dry.
- Brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in — trapped food and sugar sit against your teeth all day otherwise.
Skip: toothpaste, mouthwash soaks, denture tablets, bleach, and hot water. Use: cool water, clear liquid soap, and a soft touch.
Questions? We're here.
Anything about fit, soreness, a lost or cracked aligner, or your step schedule — reach out and Dr. Delgado's team will help.