Invisalign clear aligners have revolutionized how people just like you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile during orthodontic treatment. With these discreet, comfortable trays, gone are the days of struggling to clean your teeth around obstacles like wires and brackets. However, what many don’t realize is that oral hygiene is just as if not more important with Invisalign than it is with traditional braces. Here’s why!
Do Invisalign Aligners Protect Against Cavities?
Your Invisalign trays fit comfortably over your teeth to gently guide them into a more ideal position. However, because they prevent saliva and other fluids from touching them, bits of food, plaque, and bacteria can become trapped between them and your trays with no way to be removed.
Thankfully, you can eliminate this debris by brushing and flossing. In fact, with Invisalign, your treatment requires you to do both every time you eat or drink anything but water for this very reason!
Preventing Cavities with Invisalign
In addition to brushing and flossing after each meal or non-water beverage, it is important to keep your Invisalign trays clean, too. Thus, be sure to rinse them well each time you take them out and brush them daily with a mild hand soap and a soft-bristled brush and rinse them again.
Furthermore, it’s very important to never eat or drink anything but water when wearing your aligners, as this can trap food and beverages inside your trays, increasing your risk of aligner stains, cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.
Should you notice any dental damage forming, such as cavities, tooth sensitivity, or a painful toothache that doesn’t go away within 24 hours, contact your dentist right away.
Remember, Invisalign is an excellent option for people who want to discreetly straighten their teeth faster and more comfortably than they can with traditional braces, but in order to keep your teeth strong and healthy during treatment, you’ll need to take some extra steps to protect them. To learn more about Invisalign and see if it’s right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Dr. Stampe
Dr. Melody Stampe earned her undergraduate degree at the University of North Texas and her dental degree at Baylor College of Dentistry. She is board certified with the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine, and a proud, active member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry among numerous others. To schedule a consultation for Invisalign at Cityline Dental Center, visit our website or call 972-231-9499.