If you are straightening your smile with the help of clear aligners like Invisalign or Six Month Smiles, you likely chose them at least in part for their discreet appearance. Unfortunately, however, although your trays started out clear, they may begin to take on a noticeable tint with time. Here’s what could be causing this embarrassing discoloration, and what you can do to prevent it from happening in the future!
Poor Oral Hygiene
Although you may not think the two are related, one of the main causes of discolored aligners is improper oral hygiene. Whether your teeth have developed stains due to your diet, or you simply aren’t brushing and flossing as often as you should, darkly pigmented foods and beverages and unsightly plaque buildup on your teeth can cause your aligners to change hues so your teeth look dull and dirty when you wear them.
Improper Cleaning
Your teeth aren’t the only things that need to be properly cleaned to keep your trays clear. The aligners themselves should be cared for regularly, too. You can do this by soaking them in a clear retainer soak (colored soaks can stain them), and scrub them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild hand soap. Just make sure you rinse them very well before putting them back in your mouth!
Eating While Wearing
One of the most important rules of clear aligners is to take them out of your mouth before you eat or drink anything but water. This is why you’re given a two-hour “break” each day. Unfortunately, while it would certainly be convenient, wearing aligners while you eat can cause them to stain and can even damage them and put your treatment behind schedule!
Keeping Aligners Clear
To keep your aligners as discreet and stain-free as possible, be sure to follow your dentist’s care instructions, and the following tips and tricks:
- Remove your aligners every time you eat or drink anything besides water.
- Brush and floss your teeth after you eat and before you put your aligners back on.
- Rinse your aligners with water before you put them back into your mouth, even if you’ve only had water to drink or they’ve only been out of your mouth for a few seconds.
- Clean trays at least once a day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild hand soap or retainer cleaner.
- You can soak your trays in retainer soak if you’d like but be sure to use a clear product. Please also note that soaking them does not replace brushing them and if you choose to soak them, you’ll still need to brush them.
Remember, one of the best things about clear aligners is their discreet appearance. If yours are starting to become noticeable in your smile due to stains or discoloration, try the above tips for keeping them clean so they can continue to align your teeth without drawing any unwanted attention.
About Dr. Dean
Dr. Stephen Dean earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia and his dental doctorate at the Medical University of South Carolina. He currently holds a Fellowship in the International Dental Implant Association and is a member of the Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, just to name a few. To schedule a consultation for clear aligners, visit our website or call us today at 770-786-3915.