How to Prevent Staining While Wearing Clear Aligners

Common Reasons Clear Aligners Get Stained

Let’s discuss some common factors that stain your dental aligner trays. 

Food and Drinks: Coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and other dark-colored foods and beverages can stain your aligners. The pigments in these items easily cling to the plastic, causing discoloration.

Smoking: One of the leading causes of discolored teeth is excessive tobacco usage. Your aligners may have yellow or brown stains from nicotine and tar from cigarettes or other tobacco products.

Bad Cleaning Practices: Over time, discoloration may result from accumulated germs and plaque in your aligner trays due to improper or infrequent cleaning. Another cause of discoloration is not rinsing your mouth after meals or drinking.

Certain Medications: Some drugs might alter the pH balance in your mouth or produce a dry condition. This is when your aligners may show signs of stains.

Best Ways to Keep Clear Aligners Spotless

Here are some practical ways to prevent your transparent clear aligner trays from staining. 

Take Aligners Out for Colored Beverages

To prevent staining, always remove your aligner trays before consuming beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, or juice. Removing them keeps your dental trays clear and helps maintain their effectiveness in gradually straightening your teeth.

Brush and Floss Immediately

Whether you believe it or not, acidic or darkly pigmented drinks are sometimes impossible to avoid. The least you can do to prevent the yellowing of your orthodontic tray is brush and floss as soon as possible. This helps to get rid of any residue that can discolor your aligners. Besides, you can use water to rinse your mouth if you cannot brush, but clean your teeth first. 

Try Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Using whitening toothpastes may help some patients get rid of stubborn stains. Certain brands are these that get rid of minor tooth discoloration. Make sure you read and abide by the instructions on the label before using these toothpaste products. Remember, strong chemicals that can induce tooth sensitivity may be included in some of these brands. Consult your dentist if you’re unsure which product can give you a stain-free smile.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking is another element that contributes to discoloration. Cigarette tar and nicotine are well known for leaving stains around your dental trays. Try not to smoke anymore if you intend to use clear aligners as your orthodontic treatment option.

Prevention is the key to ensuring your aligner trays remain clear and clean. You can safeguard your teeth from surface discoloring by changing your dietary habits to maintain excellent oral hygiene. 

At Joshua M. Ignatowicz, DMD & Associates, we’ll provide everything you need to achieve the straight, white smile you desire. Book an appointment with our dentist right now to learn more about your teeth-straightening choices!