Our SmileTown Orthodontics Braces & Invisalign orthodontists share a few tips about how to care for your aligners, to keep bad breath under control.
During your treatment with clear aligners, the one or two weeks you spend wearing each set of aligners is plenty long enough for bacteria to flourish. While it's true that clear aligners are low-maintenance, you do need to maintain an excellent oral health routine during treatment to avoid issues such as bad breath, discolouring of your plastic aligners and oral health issues.
To get the most out of your treatment with clear aligners and lower risk of embarrassing bad breath, follow these tips from our orthodontists at SmileTown Orthodontics Braces & Invisalign.
Drink water only with your aligners in.
If you are drinking anything other than water, it's always best to remove your aligners, as dark-coloured beverage such as pop and wine can discolour your clear aligners. They may warp if they come into contact with hot beverages such as coffee or hot chocolate.
Always brush and floss after eating.
If you put your aligners back in before brushing your teeth, bacteria and food particles could become trapped, which could lead to issues with bad breath and potentially other oral health issues such as cavities, gingivitis and gum disease.
Use anti-bacterial soap to clean your aligners - not toothpaste.
To clean your aligners, use mild, anti-bacterial soap, not toothpaste, to help keep your aligners fresh and free from harmful bacteria that may produce a foul smell.
Avoid smoking while wearing your aligners.
The chemicals in cigarettes can not only cause problems for your physical health - they're also bad news for your aligners, as they can cause them (and your teeth) to become discoloured. The smell might also get trapped in your aligners. Keep your teeth and aligners (as well as your breath) looking and smelling fresh by avoiding or quitting smoking, or removing your aligners when you light up.