Picture this: you are a few weeks into your new Invisalign treatment and it’s going well. You wake up and, like always, go to put your aligners in. But when you open the case, you notice an unpleasant scent that wasn’t there before. You try to ignore it, but the smell only worsens over time. Before you know it, the odor is out of control.
Believe it or not, it doesn’t take much to make Invisalign braces smell bad. Without regular maintenance to ensure that both your teeth and the aligner trays are clean, bad breath and food debris can easily cause your Invisalign to develop unwelcome odors or stains. Invisalign may be a more convenient alternative to traditional braces but keeping them clean is still important. So, what do you do if your Invisalign braces smell bad?
Before you put those back in your mouth
If you’re noticing that your Invisalign braces smell bad, you don’t necessarily need to run to the orthodontist for your next set of aligners. In fact, it’s probably a sign that you need to improve your oral hygiene.
It may feel like a hassle, but brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal will help keep plaque and food residue from building up on your teeth and affecting your aligners. We also recommend that you have a daily routine to clean your Invisalign aligners by using toothpaste, a toothbrush and lukewarm water.
For more intense cleaning, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda or vinegar can help to remove stains and odors. If you still detect a smell, even after improving your oral hygiene practices, there are a few lifestyle changes that may help such as drinking more water and avoiding tobacco or caffeine products that are known to stain teeth and affect the breath.
Your guide to everything Invisalign
For new patients especially, it can be difficult to navigate Invisalign treatment concerns. After all, every smile is different and each patient is bound to have unique concerns and circumstances. If you’re looking for a guide to answer all your Invisalign FAQs, look no further than Dr. Mario Paz. An Invisalign® Orthodontist in Los Angeles. Dr. Mario Paz and staff are highly trained and at the forefront of orthodontic solutions. They love what they do for both children and adult patients with respect, compassion and care.