You might think of your crooked grin as an aesthetic frustration, but the truth is that misalignments can harm your dental health. Overlapped or gapped teeth are prone to trapping bits of food and other debris, which attracts bacteria that contribute to oral issues. Furthermore, it’s harder to brush and floss them if they’re not evenly spaced, making it difficult to maintain your smile.
Your dentist can straighten your grin with Invisalign, but many patients want to know whether this alternative orthodontic treatment poses any risks. Continue reading to learn about 3 potential complications that can occur!
Concern #1: Gum Disease
Many people choose this treatment because, unlike standard braces, the transparent trays are removable, meaning there are no dietary restrictions. However, to prevent your teeth from reverting to their previous positions, you must wear your clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily.
Unfortunately, that gives any germs trapped in the space between the plastic and your gums plenty of time to thrive, which increases your vulnerability to gum disease. This can thankfully be avoided by removing your trays at least twice daily to wash them with a soft-bristled brush and clear soap. Be sure to also brush and floss your teeth so that your mouth is clean before reinserting them.
Concern #2: Cavities
Tooth decay is another common oral issue that can occur with Invisalign. You’ll take your trays out to eat, but anything remaining in your mouth when you put them back over your teeth stays put or the rest of the day. As a result, harmful germs can produce acids that erode your enamel.
In addition to cleaning your teeth, gums, and clear aligners twice daily, you can help avoid tooth decay by rinsing your trays and your mouth after meals. Water has a nearly neutral pH balance to counteract acid damage, and clears away leftover particles that attract bacteria.
Concern #3: Aches
Although Invisalign is considered more comfortable and discreet than traditional orthodontics, anything that exerts enough pressure over your pearly whites to shift them has the potential to hurt. It’s normal to experience mild aches when you first start wearing your trays regularly, and then again when switching to the next set in your series.
You can reduce the impact by switching to new trays at night, so the worst of the pain passes while you’re asleep. It’s usually also safe to take Tylenol or ibuprofen to provide relief.
Fortunately, proper preventive care can help avoid potential problems that can happen with Invisalign. If you think you might have developed an issue, contact your dentist immediately so they can treat it before it progresses!
About the Practice
Patients at Elite Dental of Fountain Valley benefit from two dentists committed to helping families improve their lives by enhancing their smiles. Dr. Saber and Dr. Shah collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services under one roof to meet all your needs. Whether you require a routine checkup or want to upgrade your grin with Invisalign, they have the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to help. You can request a consultation on the website or by calling (714) 962-4486.