Clear Braces: Caring For Them And Avoiding Stains

Invisible braces are a great alternative to traditional braces for many dental patients. Metal braces are not only visible to everyone, but it is difficult to eat with them, and you must give up many of your favorite foods, especially when they are chewy or sticky. 

Teens and adults find that clear braces are the best option for them because they do not have to worry about people staring at their teeth, and they are able to eat and drink as they want without giving up their favorite consumables for years at a time. 

Although clear braces are a nice option, it is important that you are caring for them properly to avoid bad breath, staining, and warping of the aligners. 

Caring for Your Clear Braces

One of the most important things you can do is clean your clear braces. Clear braces are usually able to be removed from your mouth, and it is essential that you are taking the time necessary to brush the aligners as well as your teeth. 

If you fail to brush the braces themselves, you will find that plaque builds up on them, and the end result is bad breath that others can smell as well. 

To properly clean your aligners, you will need to use a firm toothbrush with toothpaste. You want to brush the aligners until they are clean, and then rinse them off. After the aligners are rinsed, place them in a special solution such as hydrogen peroxide and water to further clean them and kill off any bacteria.  

You should always avoid any type of heat around your clear braces, as it can melt the plastic and cause them to become misshapen. 

Avoiding Stains on Your Clear Braces

There are certain foods, drinks, and even lifestyle habits that can cause your teeth to become discolored. Just like with teeth, your clear braces can become discolored as well. When you do have clear braces in, you should always remove them before eating, especially when you want to eat foods such as spaghetti sauce. The acid in the sauce can cause stains on the braces, and you will find these stains are not easy to get rid of. 

In addition to spaghetti sauce, red wine, smoking, and dark colored drinks can cause staining as well. If you do choose to eat or drink foods that can stain the braces, remove the braces prior to consuming the food or drink. 

Talk to Your Dentist

If you notice that you are having trouble caring for your clear braces, speak with a professional orthodontist or dentist like Gregory W. Jackson DDS Ltd about how to better care for them. You will find that simply brushing, flossing, and soaking the aligners will keep them looking great for a long time.