Invisalign treatment involves wearing trays to straighten your pearly whites. But do these clear aligners also keep your teeth safe from cavities? Read on to learn if your smile is still susceptible to bacteria during Invisalign treatment and ways to protect your oral health.
Does Invisalign Keep Cavities at Bay?
While clear aligners cover the surface of your teeth, they are not designed to protect you from cavities or tooth decay. In many cases, germs can end up developing without proper care. Invisalign trays are meant to fit perfectly over your teeth, which means they can also potentially trap bacteria and sugars if your smile isn’t cleaned before putting them on.
How Do Cavities Form During Invisalign Treatment?
Since your orthodontic appliances won’t protect your teeth from cavities, it’s a good idea to know how decay starts. Some of the reasons bacteria develop during Invisalign include:
- Eating or Drinking with Aligners: Sugary or acidic beverages and food can make your teeth vulnerable to harmful bacteria if left trapped underneath your clear aligners.
- Inadequate Cleaning: Without cleaning your teeth or Invisalign aligners properly, you end up increasing your risk of tooth decay.
- Forgoing Dental Visits: Routine dental checkups and cleanings are perfect for catching cavities ahead of time. Skipping these appointments can leave underlying issues unchecked, raising their chances of worsening.
Ways to Prevent Cavities While Using Invisalign
To avoid dental decay during your orthodontic process, you’ll need to take proper steps to keep your teeth safe and clean. During your Invisalign treatment, be sure to implement the following tips:
- Daily Oral Hygiene Routine: Remember to brush and floss after every meal to make sure no food or particles get trapped when you put your Invisalign back on, especially before bed.
- Clean Aligners Frequently: Other than your teeth, be sure to carefully clean your aligners before wearing them again.
- Take Off Aligners Before Meals: If you want to eat or drink anything other than water, always remove your aligners first to prevent sugar and debris from accumulating on them.
- Visit Your Dentist Often: Scheduling checkups and cleanings with your dentist helps protect your smile from cavities and other potential problems throughout your Invisalign treatment and afterward.
While clear aligners are an effective way to straighten your pearly whites, they aren’t meant to keep bacteria away. The good thing is that you can do this with simple everyday habits. With the above tips and your dentist’s help, you can be sure to maintain healthy teeth while achieving your dream smile!
About the Practice
At Smile Specialties, our team is proud to serve patients in Lincoln with personalized, high-quality dental care. Dr. Jennifer Reed and our caring staff are experienced in Invisalign treatment and are here to support your smile throughout every stage of your orthodontic journey, including if a cavity pops up along the way. If you have questions or concerns about your Invisalign treatment, we’d love to help. Check out our website or call (402) 488-5007 to schedule an appointment today!
