Clear aligners are crafted to shift teeth over time and fit on your teeth without any hassle. Unlike traditional braces, they can be removed when you eat, drink, brush, and floss, which makes them convenient for many people. While that flexibility can be good, it can also impact the effectiveness of your everyday habits at keeping your aligners clean, comfortable and in place during treatment. Some habits might appear to be harmless, but they can cause stained trays, foul odors, bacterial growth or extra harm. Others can reduce the amount of time your aligners are actually working, which may affect your treatment progress. Fortunately, many of these issues are simple to prevent.
Here are a few everyday habits that may affect clear aligners progress.
Eating While Wearing Your Aligners
The most significant everyday habit to break is eating with clear aligners in place. Food may get stuck between the tray and your teeth, and bacteria and food particles can stay against the surface of your tooth for a longer period of time. Hard or crunchy foods can also put pressure on the aligners and potentially cause them to crack, deform, or become uncomfortable. Even soft foods can leave behind residues that are hard to adequately remove from the tray. Thus, take your aligners out during meals and put them in their case, not the table or on a tissue. Once you have finished eating, clean your teeth when possible before putting the trays back in. This is an easy habit that will keep your aligners and teeth safe during treatment.
Drinking Coffee, Tea, or Colored Beverages with Your Trays In
Clear aligners can get stained by coffee, tea, soft drinks, juices, and other colored drinks. Since the tray is very close to the teeth, pigments from these beverages can settle around the teeth and inside the plastic. Hot drinks can also be problematic because high temperatures may affect the shape of the thermoplastic material used to make many clear aligners. Even if the tray does not appear visibly distorted, changes in its shape can potentially affect how it fits. Water is generally the safest drink to have while wearing your aligners. For other beverages, remove the trays first. After that, wash away the plaster and polish your teeth before reinserting the aligners as much as possible.
Not Cleaning Your Aligners Regularly
Clear aligners are worn for a number of hours a day, and therefore do come into contact with food particles, bacteria and saliva. So, simply taking them out at mealtimes does not keep them clean. If you regularly put dirty trays back into your mouth, bacteria and debris can accumulate on their surface. This can contribute to unpleasant odors and make the aligners look cloudy or less clear. Rinse your trays with water whenever you remove them and clean them regularly according to your orthodontist’s instructions. Do not use cleaning solutions that are too harsh or abrasive, as they may scratch the plastic surface. Keeping your aligners clean is not just about maintaining their appearance, it is also part of maintaining good oral hygiene during treatment.
Putting Your Aligners Back Without Brushing Your Teeth
When you put your aligners over the food debris or plaque, the tray clings to them and keeps them against your teeth. This is particularly important after meals or snacks containing sugar or carbohydrates. Whenever possible, brush and floss your teeth before replacing your aligners. If you are away from home and cannot brush immediately, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and clean your teeth as soon as you can. Remember, your clear aligners are not a substitute for normal oral hygiene. You still need to brush twice daily and clean between your teeth as recommended by your dentist. Keeping teeth clean under your trays minimizes the risk of cavity and gum disease and plaque buildup during teeth movement.
Using Hot Water to Clean Your Aligners
Using very hot water to clean your aligners may seem like a good way to kill bacteria, but excessive heat can affect the plastic. If a tray that fits your teeth is molded, it might not fit properly again. Rather, use cool or lukewarm water, as directed by your orthodontist, when cleaning. Avoid harsh brushing or cleaning products in the house unless directed by your orthodontist. Beware of any changes in the feel of an aligner after it has been exposed to heat, as the aligner should never be reshaped by the patient.