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During your Invisalign treatment, your teeth will remain covered by clear aligners for most of the day. Some patients assume that this gives them protection from cavities, but is this actually true? Or do you still need to worry about tooth decay even while wearing the aligners? Here’s everything you need to know about Invisalign and cavities so that you can keep your smile healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Can Cavities Happen During Invisalign Treatment?
Simply put, yes, you can still get cavities during your Invisalign treatment. The clear aligners will stay in your mouth for 20 to 22 hours a day in order to place pressure on your teeth, gradually causing them to move closer to their ideal positions. However, to avoid damaging the aligners, you’ll have to take them out of your mouth whenever you eat or drink anything besides water. As such, there will still be plenty of opportunities for food particles and cavity-causing bacteria to build up on your teeth.
On top of that, while Invisalign does not cause cavities, it can still indirectly contribute to their development. Any food particles lingering in your mouth after a snack or meal could get trapped between your clear aligners and your teeth, which can ultimately lead to tooth decay.
What Can You Do to Prevent Cavities While Wearing Invisalign?
If you don’t want cavities to disrupt your Invisalign treatment, you need to make a point of practicing excellent oral hygiene. Before you put your aligners back in your mouth, you should thoroughly brush and floss your teeth to ensure that they’re as clean as possible. It’s also important to regularly brush and occasionally soak your aligners to get rid of any harmful bacteria that may have accumulated on them.
Your diet while wearing Invisalign can make a difference as well. Your clear aligners won’t come with any diet restrictions, but that doesn’t change the fact that certain foods and beverages can increase your risk for cavities if you overindulge on them. You should therefore make a point of limiting your consumption of anything that’s acidic or high in sugar.
Naturally, you should also continue visiting your general dentist for biannual checkups and cleanings throughout the Invisalign process. They’ll be able to check your teeth for signs of decay, and they can help you explore your options for addressing any problems that might be developing.
In short, you do indeed still need to watch out for cavities during your Invisalign treatment. Fortunately, simply taking the right precautions can go a long way towards keeping your teeth healthy while you’re on the path toward the straighter smile that you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Asrar, or Dr. A for short, has more than 15 years of orthodontic experience and has had the opportunity to improve thousands of smiles. As part of her dedication to continuing education, she has completed the Invisalign Orthodontic Masters Program. She’s proud to offer Invisalign as an image-friendly alternative to traditional braces. If you think your smile might benefit from clear aligners, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. A at Big Smile Orthodontics in Round Rock by visiting her website or calling (512) 828-7900.
