Tips for Avoiding Bad Breath for Invisalign Patients

Wilmette, Kenilworth, IL – Invisalign is a wonderful way for patient to get their ideal smiles and perfect bites. But, as with any orthodontic treatment, it requires careful attention to oral care during the treatment. And that means paying close attention not just to your teeth, but to your Invisalign aligners, as well.

“Some patients find they may have more occasions of bad breath while in Invisalign treatment,” says Dr. Stosich. “Bad breath is embarrassing and definitely something you want to work to avoid. Luckily, there are ways you can keep halitosis at bay – it just takes a bit of work on your part.

Dr. Stosich advises his patients to take the following steps to ensure they keep bad breath away:

• Don’t forget to brush and floss often. It’s important to brush your teeth after you eat and drink, before you place your aligners back in. Otherwise, you’re trapping food particles under your aligners. This is a breeding ground for bacteria and bad breath. Flossing at least once a day removes food that has gotten trapped in hard-to-reach areas, such as between teeth or at the gumline.
• Use mouthwash after brushing. This can help wash away any particles that might still remain. Look for one that fights bad breath – many mouthwashes work to kill the bacteria that causes halitosis.
• Rinse your aligners before putting them back in your mouth. Always take the time to thoroughly rinse your aligners before putting them back in. This ensures that you’re rinsing away anything that may have built up on them that could lead to bad breath.
• Always remove aligners before eating or drinking anything but plain water. Not only could eating damage your aligners, eating and drinking with the aligners still in can send debris under the aligners, trapping it against the teeth.
• Don’t forget to clean your aligners. Rinsing your aligners with water before you put them back in is always a good idea, but it’s important to thoroughly clean them at least once a day, as well. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, liquid soap to gently remove any plaque or bacteria that has built up over the day. Rinse thoroughly before placing them back in your mouth.
• Ask your orthodontist about Invisalign soaks and cleaning agents that can help. Invisalign cleaning crystals can help ensure your aligners stay clean and smell-free, but your orthodontist may have some other tips that can help.

“Invisalign offers a discrete and comfortable way to get the smile you’ve always wanted,” says Dr. Stosich. “However, it also has a high degree of patient compliance required to ensure success. Keeping your aligners clean is a big piece of that. Skipping out on proper aligner care can not only lead to bad breath, but it can also cause staining and plaque build-up that can make your aligners more visible to others.”

If you have questions about how to properly care for your aligners, the best cleaning methods or tools, or any other questions or concerns about your Invisalign treatment, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Stosich Consulting.