Getting Bad Breath Under Control During Your Invisalign Treatment

During your Invisalign treatment, you'll wear each clear aligner for about two weeks. But don't be fooled; this gives germs and plaque plenty of time to form on them. Our Halifax dentists offer tips on how to care for your aligners and avoid bad breath while you're getting treatment.

If you do not properly care for your Invisalign Clear Aligners, you may have difficulties like foul breath, discoloration of the plastic aligners, and even concerns with your general dental health.

If your Invisalign aligners are smelling bad, your dental hygiene likely needs to be improved. Bad breath during Invisalign treatment is most often caused by not properly caring for your aligners. Your teeth and breath should be fresh and clean if you take proper care of them.

Follow these recommendations to help you get the most out of your orthodontic treatment while also preventing unpleasant bad breath from developing.

Brush and Floss After Eating

If you put your aligners back in place before brushing, you can trap food particles and bacteria that are still in your mouth under them. In the long run, this could result in bad breath and possibly oral health issues.

Try Using Mouthwash Too

Try using mouthwash after every meal, as well as after cleaning your aligners and brushing your teeth, to give your mouth an extra shot of minty freshness. There are even mouthwashes specifically designed for dry mouth, so you may be able to find a solution to all of your Invisalign-related issues.

It's possible that despite following these guidelines, you're still experiencing dry mouth or bad breath due to an underlying cause. For a consultation and to see if this is the case, contact your Halifax dental office.

Drink Water with your Aligners in

While you can drink water while wearing your aligners, it is usually best to take them out before eating anything else. Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or some teas, can cause the plastic to distort, while dark liquids, such as red wine or cola, can stain transparent aligners.

Maintaining a good flow of saliva is an excellent way to combat Invisalign's dry mouth. Saliva is the mouth's natural cleanser, which is why drinking plenty of water can help with bad breath. So drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if it's a little more than you normally would because you need to keep your saliva flowing.

Do Not Use a Toothbrush or Toothpaste on Your Aligners

After each use, wash your aligners with a bar of mild anti-bacterial soap. This will ensure that they stay fresh and free of microorganisms that could be harmful or cause them to smell bad. Toothbrushes and toothpaste are abrasive and can leave tiny scratches in your plastic aligners, allowing bacteria to thrive and produce an unpleasant odour.

Avoid Smoking While Wearing Your Aligners, or Plan to Quit

In addition to discolouring and smell, the chemicals in cigarettes can cause the aligners to become discoloured and retain part of the cigarette's scent.