One of the biggest advantages of clear aligners is that they are discreet. They are almost invisible when they are on the teeth, so patients can speak and laugh confidently throughout their treatment. Unfortunately, though, clear aligners can turn yellow in some cases, causing patients to feel self-conscious about their smile. Why does this issue occur, and what can you do about it? Read on to learn the answers.
Why Do Aligners Become Discolored?
Foods and beverages are among the most common reasons why clear aligners can become discolored. For example, if you eat or drink anything other than plain water while your aligners are in your mouth, pigments from what you consume may stick to your aligners and cause them to take on an unsightly yellow appearance.
Even if you remove your aligners whenever you eat and drink, your food and beverage choices could still affect your aligners. Particles from your meals may cling to your teeth and transfer to the aligners.
Another possible cause of discoloration is saliva. Saliva may seem to be totally clear, but it actually has a slight color. If it dries on your aligners, it can cause them to become discolored. This is a common occurrence because saliva dries relatively quickly; it might even dry out on your aligners while you are eating a meal.
What Can You Do?
Here are some tips to help you prevent discoloration on your clear aligners:
- Do not eat or drink while wearing your aligners. (In addition to preventing discoloration, this precaution will also reduce the chances that your aligners will become warped.)
- Be sure to brush and floss your teeth after each meal, before placing your aligners back in your mouth.
- Thoroughly rinse your aligners before you put them in your mouth.
Of course, even if you make efforts to do everything right, there is still a small chance that your aligners could look a little lackluster, especially after several days of use. Fortunately, there are products to help with this issue. Your dentist might recommend a specific cleaning solution. Many patients have found that a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide is effective.
Slight yellowing of clear aligners can happen to anyone. Use the above tips to keep your smile fresh and beautiful throughout your treatment!
Meet the Practice
The team at Brookside Dental Care in Prestonsburg proudly offers SureSmile clear aligners as one of our many services. If you have questions about what to expect throughout this treatment, we would be happy to speak with you. Contact us at 606-874-9311.