Getting Bad Breath Under Control During Your Invisalign Treatment

During your Invisalign treatment, you will wear each clear aligner for about two weeks. But don't be fooled; they have plenty of time for germs and plaque to form on them. Our Edmonton dentists offer tips on how to care for your aligners and avoid bad breath during 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 smell bad, you probably need to improve your dental hygiene routine. Most bad breath during Invisalign treatment is caused by not properly caring for your aligners. When your teeth and breath are properly cared for, they should be fresh and clean.

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. In the long run, this may result in bad breath and possibly oral health issues.

Try Using Mouthwash Too

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

It's possible that you're following these recommendations but still experience dry mouth or foul breath because of an underlying reason. Try contacting your Edmonton dental office for a consultation and to see if this is indeed the case.

Drink Water with your Aligners in

While you can drink water while wearing your aligners, it is generally recommended that you remove them before consuming anything else. Caffeinated beverages, like coffee or certain teas, can distort plastic, while dark liquids, such as red wine or cola, can discolour transparent aligners.

In fact, maintaining a good flow of saliva is an excellent way to address Invisalign's dry mouth. Saliva acts as the mouth's natural cleanser, which is why drinking plenty of water can help you get rid of bad breath. So drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if it's slightly more than you normally would because you need to keep that saliva flowing.

Do Not Use a Toothbrush or Toothpaste on Your Aligners

After each use, make sure to wash your aligners with a mild antibacterial soap. This ensures that they remain fresh and free of microorganisms that could be harmful or cause them to smell unpleasant. Toothbrushes and toothpaste can be abrasive, causing tiny scratches in your plastic aligners where bacteria can thrive and cause 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.