Keeping the teeth white and sparkling is an important aspect of a smile for some people, so for those who face orthodontic treatment and feel unsure about how it will impact the upkeep of their dental aesthetic, it can be daunting.
Invisalign, if suitable for your dental condition, can be less disruptive to our lifestyles so for those who like to keep their smile crisp and white, Invisalign can seem the best option.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest culprits of tooth staining, how they can be avoided, and answer that all-important question of if our teeth can be whitened through Invisalign treatment.
What Causes Staining and How Best to Avoid it?
Diet and lifestyle are the main culprits of tooth staining and in some cases the more we indulge and enjoy our lifestyle, the more stained our teeth can get. This isn’t to say that you must abstain from everything that could possibly cause staining and ultimately make yourself unhappy, but there are ways to get the best of both worlds.
Coffee, red wine, tea, berries, and dark-coloured drinks are the main culprits in a diet that causes our teeth to become stained, alongside lifestyle choices such as smoking and poor dental hygiene. The tar and other cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke cause your teeth to become yellow and what’s more, if you fail to brush and floss regularly, plaque can build up and turn into tartar which yellows your teeth over time and can lead to tooth loss.
Certain medications can also cause our teeth to stain. Tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline, antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, high blood pressure medications such as captopril and enalapril, and many more can cause our teeth to become with prolonged use.
Eating the things we love in moderation is ultimately the best scenario for our teeth and brushing and flossing as soon as possible afterwards. Quitting smoking is a must and then speak to your doctor to see if there are any other forms of medication you can switch to that cause less or no staining.
Can You Whiten Teeth Whilst Undergoing Invisalign Treatment?
If you plan to whiten your teeth using the dentist-approved trays and solution before you begin Invisalign treatment and your teeth are crooked, there will be parts of your teeth the whitening gel won’t be able to reach, so when your teeth do start to move into alignment you may find that your teeth are two-toned.
It's understandable to think that you will be able to use your Invisalign trays as the whitening trays, however, this is not advised. Invisalign trays fit more snugly than whitening trays, therefore most of the whitening solution poured into them is likely to seep out into the mouth when inserted onto the teeth.
When is the Best Time to Whiten teeth?
Here at Oldham Orthodontics, we recommend whitening your teeth after your Invisalign treatment is finished, around 6 months after realignment. This is so that your teeth can settle into the new alignment and help with tooth sensitivity, which may be higher due to the nature of your treatment but also if a whitening solution is applied.
Tooth Whitening Recommended by a Trusted Orthodontist in Oldham.
Tooth whitening under dental supervision is always recommended. During an in-office whitening, a high bleach concentration is given to the teeth and activated using ultraviolet radiation. Safety precautions will always be secured using rubber and gauze seals to protect the gum line and lips, with dental supervision ensuring that no solution goes where it’s not meant to.
You can also get take-home whitening kits that are dentist-recommended and pose less of a threat to dental health than over-the-counter whitening kits.
Tooth Whitening Alternatives.
There are, however, other ways to whiten your teeth temporarily if you feel you need to keep on top of that crisp, white appearance, such as:
- Take-Home Kits – these function similarly to in-office dental whitening except the chemicals used are weaker and make less of a noticeable difference after first use.
- Whitening Toothpastes & Mouthwashes – far less intense and can sometimes be too abrasive for our teeth but in some cases, users have reported that Invisalign aligners keep the whitening agent close to the teeth, improving the whitening action.
Speak to Oldham Orthodontics about Invisalign in Oldham Today.
Come and speak to our expert staff here at Oldham Orthodontics if you are interested in straightening your teeth with Invisalign and are also inquisitive about how to keep your smile as white as possible.
We have extensive experience when it comes to Invisalign, and it is one of your most popular hidden brace systems, with the majority of our patients claiming that the ease of use and lack of disruption to their lifestyle are the biggest selling points.
We also have extensive knowledge of safe and successful tooth whitening and how to get the most out of combining Invisalign and whitening. Speak to your specialist orthodontist in Oldham today and book your free consultation.