Despite the fact that each aligner is only used for 2 weeks, there is still plenty of time for germs and plaque to build up and cause bad breath. Our Smiletown orthodontists have advice to help with bad breath during treatment.
If your Invisalign Clear Aligners aren't taken care of properly you may develop issues such as bad breath, discolouration of the plastic aligners, and even concerns with your overall oral health.
If your aligners are starting to smell bad, you may need to rethink your dental hygiene routine. The majority of the time, bad breath during Invisalign treatment is caused by not taking proper care of your aligners. When properly cared for, your teeth and breath should be fresh and clean.
Follow these recommendations to help you get the most out of your orthodontic treatment while also preventing unpleasant bad breath from developing.
Brush and Floss After Each Meal and Snacks
Food particles and bacteria can get trapped in your mouth below your aligners if you put them back in without first brushing and flossing your teeth. After prolonged use like this you may start to notice bad breath and other oral health issues.
Use Mouthwash Frequently
After every meal, and after cleaning your aligners and brushing your teeth, try using mouthwash to give your mouth an even greater clean.
It's possible that you're following these recommendations but still experience dry mouth or foul breath because of an underlying reason. Try contacting your orthodontic office for a consultation and to see if this is indeed the case.
Only Drink Water While Wearing Your Aligners
While you can drink water while wearing your aligners, it is generally recommended that you remove them before consuming any other liquid. Caffeinated beverages, like coffee or certain teas, can distort plastic, while dark liquids, such as red wine or cola, can discolour transparent aligners.
A good way to address Invisalign's dry mouth is to maintain a good flow of saliva. Saliva acts as the mouth's natural cleanser, which is all the more reason that drinking a healthy amount of water can help alleviate bad breath. So keep drinking lots of water throughout the day, even slightly more than you would normally drink because of the need to keep that saliva flowing.
Never Clean Your Aligners With a Toothbrush or Toothpaste
Take care to wash your aligners with a bar of mild anti-bacterial soap after each use. This will guarantee that they remain fresh and free of microorganisms that might be hazardous or make them smell unpleasant. Toothbrushes and toothpaste can be abrasive and create tiny scratches in your plastic aligners where bacteria can flourish, causing an unpleasant odour.
Avoid Smoking While Wearing Your Aligners
In addition to discolouring and smell, the chemicals in cigarettes can cause the aligners to become discoloured and retain part of the cigarette's scent.