Are your once-clear Invisalign trays starting to look yellow? If so, then they certainly won’t be as discreet, and it’s only a matter of time until they start to smell as well. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help prevent that from happening, starting with learning the common causes of yellow aligners.
1. Drinking Coffee with Your Invisalign Aligners On
Although there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign, there is one rule: you need to remove your trays before eating or drinking anything other than water. If you start to get in the habit of keeping them on while drinking your morning or afternoon cup of coffee, then yellow or brown stains will quickly develop, bringing unwanted attention to your aligners.
Solution: Take your Invisalign aligners off beforehand and brush your teeth before putting them back on!
2. Not Brushing Your Teeth After Each Meal and Snack
Another habit you want to avoid is putting your aligners back on without brushing your teeth. Doing so will trap food particles, plaque, and other debris in place, increasing your risk of tooth decay as well as pigmented stains.
Solution: Commit to brushing (and flossing!) your teeth consistently. Keeping travel-sized oral hygiene essentials in your purse or in the center console of your car will help make this easier if you work in an office or enjoy going out to eat.
3. Skipping the Daily Soak
Even if you are diligent about rinsing and brushing your aligners, it’s possible for debris to get stuck in the nooks and crannies. That’s why it’s important that you get in the habit of soaking your aligners in an orthodontist-recommended cleaner each day.
Solution: Soak your aligners during one of your meals so they get a deeper clean without cutting into your daily wear time.
4. Leaving Your Invisalign Aligners on the Counter
Whether you’re enjoying your breakfast in the morning or brushing your teeth at night, you should NOT get in the habit of leaving your aligners on the counter. After all, that’s one of the most common reasons they get thrown away or damaged!
Solution: Place your aligners in their designated case when you aren’t wearing them.
5. Using Harsh Cleaners with Your Invisalign Aligners
In an effort to give your aligners a deeper clean, you might think to use toothpaste, mouthwash, or scented soap. Don’t! These can leave behind a residue, discoloring them quickly.
Solution: Follow your orthodontist’s instructions on when to clean your aligners and which products to use.
About the Practice
Nothing makes our team at Simply Orthodontics Wayland happier than seeing our patients smile. That’s why we go the extra mile to make each experience exceptional! If you are interested in learning more about your orthodontic treatment options, including Invisalign, then take the next step: schedule a consultation with us via our website or by phone at (508) 358-6300.