When you look closely at an Invisalign aligner, it kind of does theoretically act as a shield for your teeth. But while yes, your trays can keep food and beverages off your pearly whites while in place, they’re not designed to protect them from food, plaque, or bacteria. In fact, one of the biggest rules of Invisalign is that you should never wear them while eating or drinking anything but water. But what about cavities? Can your aligners prevent damage like decay or caries from forming on your teeth? Here’s why you can still damage your teeth when you have Invisalign, and how to reduce your risk!
Cavities and Invisalign
Cavities can form in the teeth when bacteria create a digestive biproduct that eats away at your tooth enamel. Thankfully, brushing your teeth can clear it away, along with food particles, plaque and of course the bad bacteria themselves.
When you wear Invisalign aligners, your teeth are kept behind a clear plastic shield, but if they’re not clean to begin with, you can increase your risk of cavities by trapping all that debris against them with no way for your saliva or water to wash them away.
Protecting Your Smile with Invisalign
Keeping your teeth safe and healthy during Invisalign treatment should be a top priority. Always be sure to brush and floss after every meal and before you put your aligners back on. If you only have a beverage, you don’t need to floss, but you should still brush your teeth. If you drink only water, you can leave your trays on.
Also, be sure to keep up with your regular, biannual dental exam and cleaning appointments. Though your teeth are likely cleaner than normal with Invisalign, you should still be visiting your dentist to ensure that they are healthy and strong while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Should you notice a cavity forming, don’t wait to get treatment. Call your dentist as soon as possible for an emergency appointment. The longer you wait to treat cavities, the worse they can get. This could result in a more painful and costly problem, and the larger the restoration, the greater the risk that your Invisalign trays may need to be remade.
Remember, your Invisalign trays may seem like little shields, but they weren’t designed to protect your smile from cavities and tooth decay. Thus, be sure to always properly care for your teeth and gums by regular brushing and flossing, visiting the dentist, and ensuring that your mouth is clean before putting your aligners back on.
About Dr. Hammond
Dr. Lindsey Hammond earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma and her dental doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association, Oklahoma State Dental Association, American Academy of General Dentistry, and SPEAR Education. If you’d like to learn more about whether Invisalign can help your smile, please schedule a consultation with Glisten Dental Care of Tulsa by visiting our website or calling us today at 918-254-8686.