Will aligners cause dry mouth and bad breath?
Invisalign is the most popular dental treatment option for patients who are looking for an alternative to braces. Although it is a fantastic way to straighten teeth, it is important to be aware of any possible side effects like dry mouth and bad breath.
Most people who wear clear aligners experience bad breath and dry mouth during their treatment.
In this blog, our Orthodontists will learn about such possible side effects of Invisalign, their causes, and how to prevent them.
What causes dry mouth with Invisalign?
A dry mouth also known as xerostomia occurs when your mouth is not producing enough saliva and makes your mouth dry.
Whether metal braces or clear aligners, they cause irritations in the oral tissues, followed by inflammation in the gums.
Such irritations would exist the mouth gets used to the new appliance. Similarly, there are some imbalances in the mouth’s biological functionalities in this stage. It implies that our body considers the teeth straightening appliance alien until the mouth makes room for the aligners.
In those circumstances, the salivary glands produce less saliva to reduce irritation. This is the main reason why some people encounter dry mouth with Invisalign.
If someone already has xerostomia caused by physical conditions or other circumstances, the dryness in their mouth will get worse with clear braces. Various things that can cause mouth dryness include:
- Dehydration is one of the reasons for dry mouth. Drinking enough water helps to increase saliva production in your mouth.
- Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, and other beverages can decrease saliva production and make your mouth dry.
- Chemotherapy drugs, uncontrolled diabetes, and prescription medication can lead to less saliva production.
- Your salivary glands may experience temporary damage from radiation therapy in the neck and head area, which could result in decreased salivary flow and dry mouth (sometimes permanently).
- Nerve damage in the head or neck can result in a dry mouth.
- Tobacco use and drinking alcohol cause your mouth to dry.
- It can also be brought on by uncontrolled diabetes, a yeast infection, and other autoimmune conditions.
- If you snore at night or breathe through your mouth, this will also lead to a decrease in saliva production.
Why does having Invisalign affect your breath?
Bad breath is one of the common side effects of wearing the clear trays.
In most cases, bad breath is brought on by not taking adequate care of your transparent braces. If the smell of your invisible aligner is bad, you probably need to improve your oral hygiene routine.
Here are a few causes of bad Invisalign breath including:
- Forgetting to remove the aligners while eating – Always keep in mind that you should remove your aligners before having meals or snacks.
- Not cleaning your aligners and teeth after eating or drinking – You should brush your teeth and clean your aligners after eating or drinking. This will remove food particles and beverage residue and decrease the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Dry mouth – A dry mouth is another common cause of bad breath in general. With aligners, some patients have dry mouths, especially when they first start their treatment. Because saliva plays a crucial role in eliminating the bacteria that cause bad breath, washing away food particles, and fighting against cavities and other infections. If saliva production is affected by a dry mouth this leads to an unpleasant foul breath.
- Using uncleaned aligners – Your Invisalign aligners may start to smell if plaque, saliva, and bacteria accumulate on them. Due to this your breath also will smell bad. Make sure to use clean aligners before wearing them.
Tips to avoid Invisalign dry mouth and bad breath
- Drinking plenty of water helps to maintain a good saliva flow and reduce dry mouth.
- Ensure to wear clean aligners.
- After every meal, brush your teeth and floss.
- Avoid using tobacco products and avoid consuming alcohol.
- Cut down on excessive caffeinated drinks and beverages.
- Using mouthwashes and rinses for extra freshness.
Bottom line
If you are experiencing a dry mouth and bad breath during your Invisalign treatment you may follow these tips mentioned above.
You may be able to prevent dry mouth and unpleasant breathing issues if you maintain proper oral hygiene, consume healthy foods, have frequent checkups, clean your aligners, and drink plenty of water.
If you have already taken these actions and are still experiencing those conditions, there may be a problem. To prevent any significant issues, you must see your dentist immediately.
