General information, not dental advice. Your orthodontist's instructions come first.

Holiday season 2026: the cleaner guides are fresh

RetainerCareGuide
Category hub

Aligner chewies and tools for clear aligner wearers

Chewies, seating and removal tools, and the small kit aligner wearers carry.

2guides

Start here

Hand holding a clear plastic aligner against a plain white background
Top listComing soon

The Best Aligner Chewies and Seating Tools

Chewies, removal tools and what owners keep in their bag.

The tools, below

Seating and aligner removal tools

Chewies and mints seat a tray; a hook takes it out.

How to use a chewie

  1. Put the aligner in as your orthodontist showed you.
  2. Place a chewie between your upper and lower teeth.
  3. Bite down on it repeatedly for several seconds.
  4. Move it to another spot and repeat.

Healthline suggests about 5 minutes twice a day; your orthodontist may set a different plan. Healthline

Movemints and Munchies

Movemints are mints you chew to seat a tray; Munchies come in several hardnesses. Healthline

An aligner removal tool

Hook the PULTOOL onto the aligner's back edge and gently pull forward. Maker

Every aligner chewies guide

Planned pages are marked.

Every top list
Two open palms holding a pair of clear aligner traysTop list

The Best Cleaners for Clear Aligners

Crystals, foams and machines for aligner trays.

Coming soon
Cup of black coffee with a water carafe on a black cafe tableExplainer

Can You Drink Coffee With Clear Aligners In?

What the aligner makers' own guidance says.

Coming soon

Aligner chewies and tools: the basics

What chewies are

Soft plastic cylinders, about cotton-roll size, that help seat a tray Healthline

When people use them

A new aligner, after a meal or cleaning, or a spot that does not fit Healthline

Clean the trays too

Invisalign Crystals: at least 15 minutes in about 100 ml of warm water Maker

Aligner chewies questions

What are aligner chewies?

Healthline describes them as soft plastic cylinders about the size of a cotton roll that can be used to help seat an aligner: repeated biting helps the tray conform to the shape of your teeth.

Do you need chewies with clear aligners?

Healthline notes your orthodontist may give you a supply when you start and specific instructions on when and how long to use them. Ask yours before you start.

How do you clean clear aligner trays?

Invisalign's directions for its Cleaning Crystals: at least 15 minutes in about 100 ml of warm water. The AAO's routine for clear retainers adds a lukewarm rinse each time a tray comes out, and no hot water.