Invisalign is an increasingly common orthodontic treatment that can realign your smile without the dietary restrictions or clearly visible metal parts that come with conventional braces. Instead of using metal brackets and wires, Invisalign straightens out a smile by using a sequence of customized clear plastic aligner trays. Each set of trays moves the teeth into slightly better alignment until the treatment is complete. However, it is possible to get cavities while wearing them. Here’s how tooth decay can develop while wearing Invisalign and how to prevent that from happening.
How Can I Develop Cavities During Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign clear aligners are to be worn for at least twenty-two hours each day and removed for hygiene, eating, and drinking anything but water. If you eat while wearing them or neglect to clean your teeth or aligners before putting them back in, food can get stuck between your aligners and your teeth. While these aligners may seem like a protective shield for your teeth, they will effectively protect these trapped bits of food from your mouth’s natural cleaning process. This provides harmful bacteria with a safe space to feed and multiply that is pressed directly against your teeth.
If these germs are not eliminated quickly, they can begin to start eating their way into your enamel, causing discoloration, cavities, and more advanced forms of tooth decay.
How Can I Prevent Cavities While Wearing Invisalign?
The best way to prevent cavities while wearing Invisalign is to practice proper oral hygiene. Patients should brush and floss after every meal if possible. This will remove the food particles that can lead to cavities developing. You should also rinse with antibacterial mouthwash once a day, as this will kill more than 99% of the germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
It’s just as important to keep your aligners clean as well. Take care to brush them before replacing them in your mouth and soak them using an approved cleanser as recommended. This will keep them clean and prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying on their surface.
During your Invisalign treatment, you should take care to attend all of the checkups that your orthodontist recommends. This will allow your teeth to be professionally monitored so that tooth decay can be caught in its early stages before it can do any lasting damage. Your provider can also provide you with valuable hygiene advice that can keep your treatment going smoothly.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal earned his dental degree from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 1994 before completing a fellowship in Implant Dentistry at New York University. He has been voted the “Best Dentist in Scarborough” by the Readers Choice Awards for four consecutive years. His office in Nepean, ON offers general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry in addition to Invisalign treatments. For more information on keeping your teeth healthy during Invisalign, contact his office online or dial (613) 800-1800.