Accidental dental damage

Posted on: 28 October 2020

An ideal way to straighten your teeth discreetly is through the Invisalign treatment. Though the treatment is effective, it may increase the chances of experiencing bad breath if you are not careful. Bad breath is unappealing and indicates that there may be other underlying severe issues. Therefore, it is vital to follow proper dental hygiene practices and visit a dentist when bad breath persists. Here are tips you may get from your dentist so you can bid halitosis goodbye more effectively.

Cleanliness Is a Top Priority

Your retainers should be as clean as possible at all times. If you keep them dirty, they may contribute to bad breath in a big way. In this case, avoid drinking or eating anything besides water when wearing the aligners. If you by any chance forget to remove them, rinse your mouth and the trays immediately. According to most dentists, you shouldn't let sugar be stuck in between these trays. If possible, it is best to brush your teeth every time you wear the aligners. However, a sanitising spray could still be effective if you can't find the time to brush them.

More Water, More Health

Water is quite effective in fighting bad breath, but most people don't realise this. Water increases saliva production, and saliva helps fight bacteria in your mouth. Saliva traps the bacteria and makes it easier for you to swallow them. Once they get to the digestive system, they are killed because the acidic environment can't allow them to survive.

So, it's advisable to take a lot of water whenever you have the aligners in your mouth. Avoid other drinks, especially those that contain ingredients that support the growth of the microbes that cause bad breath.

Know When to Change Your Toothpaste 

Toothpaste comes in many various types and varying qualities. Every brand comes with different formulas and ingredients, and they don't enhance dental hygiene and health the same way. Some toothpaste brands are effective in dealing with sensitivity issues, while others are great teeth whitening products. However, some toothpaste brands are designed to deal with bad breath, especially among the Invisalign wearers. And since you may not know the toothpaste that could fight halitosis more effectively, it's advisable to seek advice from your dentist.

Never Dismiss Flossing

Flossing is vital if you want to boost your oral health. However, you need to know how often you should do it when Invisalign aligners. Since these plastic aligners will cover the teeth for the better part of the day, they are likely to create an ideal environment for the bacteria associated with bad breath. Also, most of those wearing these aligners experience overlapping teeth — something that makes it easy for food particles to get stuck. And since brushing alone might not remove these food particles effectively, it's important to floss.

You may not get rid of bad breath completely, but you can use some ways to reduce it. If you usually follow the proper dental and Invisalign hygiene practices but still experience bad breath, visit your dentist. They know some of the simple ways you can use to keep this embarrassing condition away.