The world of orthodontics changed when Invisalign was released in 1997. It offered patients an alternative to bulky metal braces by using clear, smooth aligners made from plastic to move their teeth into a more ideal position over several months or years. Since these trays are clear, they are a more discreet way to straighten crooked pearly whites. But what if they become stained? Continue reading to learn what can stain aligners as well as how to prevent this from happening.
What Causes Clear Aligners to Become Stained?
Clear aligners will only remain clear and virtually invisible if they are kept clean. There are many things that are capable of staining your trays, including foods and drinks with a lot of pigment, like berries, coffee, tea, wine, grape juice, pasta sauce, soy sauce, and soda. This is why it’s important to remove your aligners any time you consume anything other than water.
Even if you remove your aligners to eat, they can still become stained. This is because food that’s left over on your teeth after putting your aligners back on can transfer to them and leave unsightly stains on your Invisalign trays.
3 Tips for Keeping Your Aligners Sparkling Clean & Clear
Unfortunately, if your aligners are severely stained, this can’t be reversed. Since you’ll eventually move to a new set of trays, there are some ways that you can prevent your next pair from becoming stained as well, such as:
- Practice good oral hygiene – Along with brushing in the morning and at night, you also need to brush after each meal. This will lessen your risk of transferring food or beverage particles to your aligners. It will also make you less likely to develop cavities.
- Drink plenty of water – Drinking water rather than sugary or darkly colored beverages can make a huge difference. This is because it won’t stick to your smile and will help wash away bacteria and food particles.
- Use the right products – WhiteFoam is a product that contains agents designed to clean aligners and remove color molecules. This means that it can help you prevent aligner staining so your trays remain bright and clear.
About the Practice
Dr. Pasquale J. Giordano and Dr. Joseph A. Khalil lead Oakton Dentistry by Design along with a team of compassionate, talented oral health professionals. They aim to give patients a comfortable, relaxing visit from the moment they enter the office. They offer Invisalign to fix gapped or misaligned teeth and can give you tips on how to prevent your aligners from becoming discolored. If you are ready to make an appointment with Dr. Giordano or Dr. Khalil or want more information on Invisalign, call Oakton Dentistry by Design at (703) 938-4300 or visit their website.