Now that you have Invisalign, you may be enjoying the convenient benefits it offers. You get to enjoy your normal diet, not having to worry about breaking any wires or brackets. Your smile looks great with your clear aligners, but what if you are noticing they are turning yellow? This may go against the discreet advantage they offer, but why does this happen? Keep reading to learn why and how you can get rid of it.
What’s Making My Invisalign Turn Yellow?
The exact reason that your Invisalign isn’t as invisible anymore is often a result of multiple factors. Here are some common ones to know:
- Drinking dark-colored beverages while wearing your trays can lead to stains on both them and your teeth! The plastic this type of orthodontic is made from is porous, so particles may find their way into these spots.
- Using a colored mouthwash. Like the point above, having your aligners in while you do this can lead to stains.
- Dried saliva on your Invisalign. While this is a watery liquid, there are also minerals, proteins, enzymes, and mucus in it that get food ready for the digestive process. However, this combination has a yellow tint when it dries.
- Plaque and bacteria can transfer to your trays if you don’t brush your teeth after eating. When they harden, they often can cause discoloration.
How Can I Prevent Stained Trays?
Despite there being many reasons that can cause stained Invisalign, there are simple ways to avoid it! One of the easiest things to do is to brush your teeth and floss right after you eat. This will help clean out any debris that can cause cavities, but also ensure nothing transfers over to your aligners.
Be sure to also only drink water when you have your trays in. You should be taking them out when enjoying any other beverage and swishing around water afterward. This will help remove any particles that may be lingering.
Can I Clear Up My Aligners?
However, if you have already developed staining on your set, then you might want to get rid of this flaw if you still have a couple of days with them. If so, then you can brush them with diluted hydrogen peroxide or a water and white vinegar mixture. These may not fully eliminate the yellow discoloration, but it can help.
Just remember that you will move on with your treatment relatively soon! So, you’ll have a new set of aligners that are clear. Keep the tips above in mind and keep them nearly invisible!
About the Practice
At Blue Coast Dental Group, you benefit from a team of skilled dentists who look after you and your oral health. We are here to help the Torrance community get the best smiles they feel confident with through Invisalign. By customizing your orthodontic journey and sticking with you every step of the way, you can know what you can do to avoid any delays. If you need help caring for your new trays, schedule an appointment or call our office at (310) 424-3100.