Throughout your Invisalign treatment you will wear each set of aligners for two weeks. That's enough time for bacteria and plaque to grow on them. Here's how to care for your aligners in order to keep bad breath under control during your treatment.
Not taking proper care of your Invisalign clear aligners can cause issues such as bad breath, discolouration of the plastic aligners and even problems with your overall oral health.
Get most out of your Invisalign treatment, and curb embarrassing bad breath just by following these easy tips from our dentists.
Brush and floss after eating, every time!
When you put your aligners back in place without brushing and flossing, you trap food particles and bacteria under the aligners. This can create issues with bad breath and eventually lead to other oral health problems.
Drink only water with your aligners in.
Water is the only drink you can enjoy with your aligners in. Always remove your aligners before drinking anything else. Hot beverages such as tea or coffee can warp the plastic. Dark beverages, such as red wine or colas, can discolour the clear aligners.
Never use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your aligners.
Clean your aligners with a mild anti-bacterial soap, not toothpaste. This will ensure they remain fresh and free of bacteria that can smell bad or be harmful.
Avoid smoking with your aligners in, or plan to quit altogether.
Chemicals in cigarettes can cause the aligners to become discoloured, they can also retain some of the smell.