I had always been told that Invisalign would be invisible. Yet, my sister-in-law’s is becoming noticeable, sort of yellowing. I had been considering getting them, but don’t want to have these yellowy plastic things on my teeth. Is there something else going on with hers or is the hype about them being invisible just hype?
Catherine
Dear Catherine,
It sounds like your sister-in-law is having trouble keeping them clean. Or maybe she’s developed habits that stain the aligners. When well taken care of, Invisalign is completely invisible even at a conversational distance.
Here are some tips to help keep Invisalign invisible:
Don’t Smoke or Vape with Your Aligners In
When you smoke or vape while wearing your aligners, it stains them a dingy yellow color. Now think about it doing that to your lungs. It’s impossible for me not to do a PSA about the hazards of smoking. However, many people still choose to continue the habit.
If that’s you and you’re determined to keep smoking, be certain not to do that while your Invisalign aligners are in. If you do, they will become stained and very noticeable.
Don’t Use Traditional Tooth Cleaners With Your Aligners
Using regular toothpaste, or even worse a whitening toothpaste will scratch your aligners. Though the little grooves they create may not be visible, those same grooves will begin to pick up stains. Instead, you’ll want to use the cleaning kit your dentist provided for you when you first received your Invisalign.
If you can’t find it or your dentist doesn’t provide that, I’ll give you an option in a moment. Be careful not to use mouthwash either. It will tint your aligners the same shade as the mouthwash. Bear in mind you can use regular toothpaste and mouthwash on your teeth. Just make sure you do it when your Invisalign is out of your mouth.
Cleaning them with Baking Soda
If you don’t have a cleaning kit for your aligners, you can mix some baking soda with some water and give them a brush. Make sure you use a soft bristled brush. You don’t want to scratch them.
Soak to Freshen the Up
If they need some freshening up because they’re picking up some scents you’re not proud of, you can always do a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. You can even soak them in full-strength vinegar, just make sure you don’t do it longer than about 10 minutes.
A plus with Invisalign. Most patients don’t realize the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This can allow you to get your teeth brightened and straightened at the same time.
This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.