Can Aligners like Invisalign® Aligners lead to cavities? Your Oral Hygiene during Treatment
Why Do People Think Wearing Aligners like Invisalign® will Cause Cavities?
A common concern is that wearing aligners will prevent saliva coming into contact with your teeth. Saliva is important for a clean mouth. It’s part of the mouth’s natural defence against cavities.
Your aligners do cover your teeth meaning there will be less regular saliva flow, however – drinking lots of water, eating well and ensuring that your teeth are clean and cared for will ensure your teeth are well-protected throughout treatment.
A healthy diet helps protect against cavities – whether or not you are in Invisalign® treatment
Do Aligners like Invisalign® Create a ‘Bacteria Breeding Ground’?
If you fail to clean your teeth after eating and put your aligners back in, then yes, you could trap harmful bacteria, which could lead to tooth decay and gum disease. So, don’t forget to rinse out your aligner, as well as clean your teeth after a meal, or after drinking anything other than water.
Steps for Success
After eating and drinking, following these steps can help to prevent cavities during aligner treatment:
- Drink plenty of water, as well as swishing it around and rinsing to get rid of leftover food particles.
- Consider chewing a sugar-free gum for a couple of minutes after eating, this can help remove some food particles and can encourage healthy saliva flow.
- Brush your teeth gently and finish by brushing your tongue.
- Floss regularly. Flossing is essential to get rid of leftover food particles and plaque that your brush just can’t reach.
- Clean the aligners with a soft toothbrush before putting them back in your mouth.
See your General Dentist Regularly – as well as your Orthodontist
Choosing a specialist orthodontist for your clear aligner treatment is wise. Only a specialist with years of additional training can ensure that you get the best result possible. The same goes for cavity-protection: your general dentist is the expert in ensuring that all other aspects of your oral health are monitored and maintained. Does treatment with aligners like Invisalign® lead to cavities? With regular hygiene and dental checkup visits, there is no need to be concerned about tooth decay during your treatment.
Want to find out more about aligners like Invisalign® and find out if it could be right for you? Book a free* assessment.
*If orthodontic X-rays are required, a fee of $180 applies. Treatment may not be suitable for you.
These Products are not available for purchase by the general public. They are however available to Fine Orthodontist Sydney patients. Always read the label and follow the instructions for use.
Find out more about Invisalign®:
Learn more about Invisalign aligner treatment.
Learn more about the differences between Invisalign vs braces.
Learn about the pricing for Invisalign treatment.
