When wearing clear aligners for orthodontic treatment, bad breath may occur due to bacterial growth on the surfaces of your tooth enamel and gum tissue. Saliva contains certain types of microorganisms that, when trapped between your aligner and teeth, grow into plaque.
What Is Invisalign?
Clear aligners like Invisalign are a great option for people who want something a bit less noticeable than traditional metal braces to straighten their teeth. These clear aligners work like an invisible retainer that slowly moves your teeth into alignment over time.
Aligners are usually worn for more than 22 hours per day. However, since they’re comfortable and easy to use, most patients are able to tolerate them easily. Also, Invisalign trays are custom-made for your mouth, so you know you’ll get something that fits you exactly.
How Do I Use Them?
Before putting them on, you’ll need to brush and/or floss your teeth. Cleaning your aligner regularly with a soft-bristled toothbrush is also recommended. If you experience any issues with your aligner, contact us immediately.
Why Choose Invisalign to Straighten Your Teeth?
Clear aligners offer several advantages over traditional braces. They’re virtually undetectable, so no one will notice them when you wear them.
Another advantage is that you can take them out whenever necessary. For example, you can take them out when you want to eat or sip something hot or cold, clean your mouth, floss, or brush your teeth.
What Is Plaque?
Plaque is a thin layer of food debris and saliva that builds up on the surface of your teeth. It is formed when the carbohydrates you eat combine with the bacteria in your mouth to create a sticky biofilm. Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste helps prevent plaque buildup. However, if you wear clear plastic aligners, plaque may accumulate faster because food debris gets trapped between your teeth and the aligner.
If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you may develop gum disease. Gum disease causes inflammation of the gingiva (gum tissue), leading to blood loss and infections. The longer you wait before treating gum disease, the worse the condition gets.
If you have gum issues, you might experience:
- Bleeding from the gums
- Swollen gums
- Painful gums
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
Why Does Bad Breath Happen With Clear Aligners?
One of the reasons you may have bad breath while using clear aligners is the aligners trap bacteria around your teeth. Bacteria then produce sulfur, which causes your mouth to smell.
How Do I Prevent Bacteria From Growing In My Mouth With Clear Aligners?
If you want to avoid this problem, you need to brush with toothpaste twice daily for at least 2 minutes.
You can also use floss or an interdental brush (which is specially made for cleaning between your teeth) to remove any particles that might be stuck between your teeth and around your gum line. They also help maintain healthy gum tissue.
If you notice that your breath smells when you wear clear aligner trays, use a mouthwash containing antibacterial ingredients. These will help eliminate the bacterial agents that cause bad breath.
Make sure you clean your aligner. When you first put it in your mouth, it’ll feel slick. That’s normal. After wearing it for a few days, though, it’ll start getting sticky. To avoid this, wash your aligner regularly with warm water. Using a soft toothbrush, gently brush off any leftover debris. Dry it thoroughly before placing it back into your mouth.
Can You Chew Gum With Clear Aligners?
You can chew gum during orthodontic treatments using clear aligner trays, but you need to remove them before chewing. Chewing gum while wearing clear aligner trays can be messy. Trust us.
Chewing sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes every day can help prevent tooth decay. It may also be helpful if you’re prone to developing cavities.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know About Using Clear Aligners?
If you have minor misalignment of your teeth, clear aligners such as Invisalign are great. However, if you’re dealing with more serious tooth-alignment concerns, you might want to consider seeing an orthodontist about other treatment options. Orthodontists are trained to correct bites and other conditions that affect your jaw movement.
We offer clear aligner treatment and many more options to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Contact us to start designing your smile!