Can Invisalign Give You Cavities In North Tampa?
We get it. Patients at Miller Orthodontics ask if Invisalign causes cavities. Any orthodontic work changes how you take care of your teeth so it’s good to know how Invisalign changes your risk of cavities. The short answer is Invisalign itself doesn’t cause cavities but not taking care of your teeth while wearing it can make you more likely to get them. We’ll explain how this works and what you can do to keep your teeth safe during treatment.
When bacteria in your mouth eat sugars and starches they produce acid that eats away at tooth enamel. This is how cavities form. This happens all day long but your saliva helps neutralize the acids and wash away food bits. Invisalign aligners fit tightly against your teeth which can stop saliva from doing its job of protecting your teeth. If you put your aligners back in after eating without brushing your teeth you’re basically trapping food, sugars and bacteria on your teeth for hours. This makes it easier for cavities to form. Invisalign for Adults offers a subtle and effective way to achieve a confident smile without the look of traditional braces.
Keeping your mouth clean is the most important thing you can do to avoid cavities while getting Invisalign. Before putting your aligners back in after eating or drinking anything other than water you should brush and floss your teeth very well. This gets rid of food bits and plaque that could get stuck under your aligners. If you can’t brush your teeth right away at the very least you should rinse your mouth out with water and clean your aligners before putting them back in. But this is only a short term fix so you should brush your teeth properly as soon as you can.
Unfortunately many people in North Tampa develop habits during their Invisalign treatment that make them more likely to get cavities. One common mistake is putting aligners back in after eating without brushing their teeth first. Another is drinking sugary or acidic drinks all day long while wearing your aligners. Some people cheat and drink other things while wearing aligners even though you should only drink water. This is especially bad because it puts sugar or acid on your teeth that gets stuck under the aligners which is the perfect environment for cavities to form.
We tell all of our Invisalign patients at Miller Orthodontics that their oral hygiene routine is even more important during treatment than it was before. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal. You should also floss every day. Fluoride toothpaste helps make your enamel stronger and protects your teeth from cavities even more. Some patients also find that using a fluoride rinse as their dentist recommends helps them.
During your Invisalign treatment you still need to go to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Your dentist can look for early signs of cavities and do professional cleanings that get rid of plaque and tartar that you might miss when you brush your teeth. We recommend you keep your regular dental appointments which are usually every 6 months or more often if your dentist tells you to.
You also need to clean your aligners on a regular basis. Just like on your teeth bacteria can grow on the aligners. You should clean your aligners every morning and night with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or special aligner cleaning products. Aligners that are clean not only look and smell nicer but they also help your mouth stay healthy by lowering the number of bacteria in it.
Some patients are worried that wearing aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day will automatically make them more likely to have cavities since it will restrict the flow of saliva. This is a valid concern however good oral hygiene can help lower this risk. Many orthodontists including us have treated thousands of Invisalign patients who finish their treatment with healthy cavity free teeth because they keep their teeth clean the whole time. Braces for Kids help guide proper tooth alignment early, supporting healthy dental development as children grow.
The good news is you can take care of your teeth while you’re getting Invisalign. If you promise to brush your teeth after every meal, floss every day, keep your aligners clean and see the dentist regularly your chance of getting cavities during treatment shouldn’t be higher than it was before you started. Some patients even say their dental health gets better while they’re getting Invisalign treatment because they pay more attention to how they clean their teeth.
At Miller Orthodontics in North Tampa we give you clear instructions on how to keep your mouth clean while you’re using Invisalign. We’re also always available to answer questions or concerns. If you feel any pain, sensitivity or changes in your teeth during treatment please let us know right away so we can see if there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. If you take care of your teeth while you’re getting treatment you’ll end up with a healthy smile that looks great.