To straighten your smile with Invisalign, you will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks. That's long enough for bacteria and plaque to grow on them. Here's how to care for your aligners to keep bad breath under control.
Neglecting the proper care of your Invisalign aligners could put you at risk of developing bad breath, discolouring of the plastic aligners and even problems with your overall oral health.
To keep bad breath under control and get the most out of your Invisalign treatment just follow these easy steps.
Brush and floss after eating, every time!
By putting your aligners back in without brushing your teeth first you risk trapping food particles and bacteria under the aligners. After eating, always brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in place to help prevent bad breath and tooth decay.
Only drink water with your aligners in.
Remember to remove your aligners before drinking anything other than water. Your aligners could become stained from drinking dark beverages such as colas or red wine, and hot beverages such as coffee or tea could warp your aligners.
Never use toothpaste to clean your aligners.
Aligners should be cleaned with a mild, anti-bacterial soap never toothpaste. Keeping your aligners clean will help to ensure that they remain fresh and free of harmful bacteria that could cause bad breath.
Avoid smoking with your aligners in.
Your aligners may retain some of the cigarette smell if you leave them in while smoking. Also, the chemicals in cigarettes could stain and discolour your aligners. Avoid smoking altogether or remove your aligners while smoking, to help keep your aligners clear, and your breath fresh.