Invisalign is a modern alternative to traditional braces that realigns teeth using a series of customized clear aligners that are virtually invisible when worn. While these plastic aligners provide your teeth with some protection from injury, they can also shelter harmful bacteria and the food debris that fuels them if the patient doesn’t practice proper hygiene. Here’s how to keep your teeth cavity-free during Invisalign treatment.
How Can I Develop Cavities When Wearing Invisalign?
Cavities are destructive infections of dental enamel, and they are typically caused by a combination of excessive sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene. While healthy saliva flow will help control the growth of harmful germs by washing them and food residue away from the teeth under normal conditions, Invisalign clear aligners will shelter any bacteria and debris clinging to the teeth from the mouth’s natural cleaning process. This can allow them to more easily infect your enamel, resulting in cavities, bad breath, and dental stains.
How Can I Keep My Teeth Healthy While Wearing Invisalign?
The best way to keep your teeth infection-free during Invisalign treatment is to make sure that they are completely clean before you insert your clear aligners. It’s important to always thoroughly brush and floss your teeth and rinse off your aligners before putting them back in your mouth after meals. This will eliminate plaque and food debris that can cause destructive oral infections as well as stains and bad breath.
What Happens if I Develop a Cavity During Invisalign Treatment?
Developing a cavity in the middle of your Invisalign treatment can complicate the orthodontic process, but it isn’t the end of the world. Your dentist can place a lifelike tooth-colored filling to eliminate the infection and repair the damaged tooth, but this may require treatment delays and the manufacturing of new aligners. Regardless of any orthodontic treatment, preventing cavities is always better than needing to treat them.
Don’t let cavities get in the way of you enjoying a smooth and effective Invisalign treatment. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to keep your teeth healthy as they are straightened out.
About the Practice
Kemper Meadow Family Dentistry offers outstanding oral health services to the community of Cincinnati. Led by Drs. Alexandra Kulwin and Jasmina Maric, the staff treats each patient with exemplary courtesy and genuine compassion. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as Invisalign services. To learn more about proper Invisalign hygiene, contact the office online or dial (513) 648-9900.