Invisalign is a great option to straighten teeth without wearing fixed materials like braces. However, many people find that Invisalign smells bad even though it’s removable.
In this article, we will discuss why this happens and what you can do about it.
Why does your Invisalign smell bad?
There are a few reasons why your Invisalign might smell bad.
1. Poor oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of bad breath whether or not you are wearing Invisalign.
If you don’t brush and floss regularly, food and bacteria can build up on your teeth and Invisalign, causing the Invisalign to smell bad.
Bacteria that build up on the teeth, tongue, gums, and lips can cause bad breath. If these bacteria aren’t removed through brushing and flossing, they can produce sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
Another thing that may be responsible for the foul smell is Invisalign attachments. These are small plastics that are attached to your teeth and you can’t remove them until the treatment is completed.
And, if you don’t clean your teeth and attachments properly, it may cause a bad smell. It will also stain the attachments.
2. Not cleaning your Invisalign properly
It’s important to clean your Invisalign trays thoroughly. If you don’t, bacteria can grow and cause your Invisalign to smell bad.
3. Wearing your aligners for too long
You should only wear your Invisalign for the prescribed amount of time. If you wear it for too long, food and bacteria can build up on your Invisalign, causing it to smell bad.
4. Bacteria build-up on aligners
If you don’t clean your Invisalign properly, bacteria can build up and cause it to smell bad. Sometimes, even after maintaining hygiene, it may happen.
5. Food particles trapped in aligners
If you don’t brush your teeth before putting on your Invisalign, food particles can get trapped in your aligners and cause them to smell bad.
6. Dental plaque
Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, it can build up and cause your Invisalign to smell bad.
7. Tartar
Tartar is a hard deposit of calculus that forms on your teeth. It can be caused by not brushing and flossing regularly. If you have tartar, it can make your Invisalign smell bad.
8. Bad breath
If you have already bad breath, it can make your Invisalign smell bad. This is because the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath can also cause your Invisalign to smell bad.
9. Dry mouth
A dry mouth can cause your Invisalign to smell bad. This is because the saliva in your mouth helps to keep it clean.
When there’s not enough saliva in the mouth, bacteria can grow more easily, causing bad breath.
Moreover, less saliva can’t clean your Invisalign, and it can start to smell bad.
10. Chewing gum with aligners in
If you chew gum with your Invisalign in, the gum can get stuck in your aligners and cause them to smell bad. Moreover, it will break or damage your aligners.
11. Dental problems
Invisalign might not be responsible for the foul smell in your mouth. Dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth sores can also cause bad breath.
12. Infections in the nose, throat, or lungs
Infections in the nose, throat, or lungs can also lead to foul-smelling breath. These infections can produce foul-smelling mucus that can cause bad breath. This can also happen when you wear Invisalign.
13. Certain medications
Certain medications can cause dry mouth and lead to bad breath. Medications that can cause dry mouth include antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, and diuretics.
14. Smokers and tobacco users
Smokers and tobacco users are also more likely to have bad breath. The chemicals in tobacco products can cause gum disease and tooth decay, both of which can lead to bad breath.
Moreover, smoking can cause your Invisalign to smell bad because the tobacco smoke sticks to your aligners.
15. Alcoholics
Alcoholics are also more likely to have bad breath and cause smell from the aligners. This is because alcoholics often have poor oral hygiene and dry mouth.
16. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is another condition that can lead to bad breath. So, the problem might not be with our Invisalign trays or your oral hygiene. GERD may make your Invisalign smell bad.
In this condition, stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. This can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), which can cause bad breath.
17. Liver or kidney disease
Liver or kidney disease can also be responsible for bad breath. These diseases can cause an accumulation of toxins in the body, leading to foul-smelling breath.
If you have this condition, Invisalign treatment has nothing to do with the smell.
18. Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a condition that can cause bad breath. Diabetics often have gum disease and dry mouth, both of which can lead to bad breath.
As adults get Invisalign to align their teeth now a day, foul smells can be a result of having Diabetes mellitus.
19. Metabolic disorders
Metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU) can lead to bad breath.
20. Gastrointestinal problems
Gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also lead to bad breath. And, you might be mistaken for it is an Invisalign smell.
21. Other medical conditions
Some medical conditions, such as nasal polyps, ketosis, and acid reflux, can also cause bad breath.
Nasal polyps are small growths that can develop in the nose. These growths can block the flow of air and lead to bad breath.
Ketosis is a condition that can occur when the body breaks down fat for energy. This process can produce ketones, which can cause bad breath.
Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. This can lead to heartburn and bad breath.
Food allergies can also cause bad breath because the body produces histamines in response to the allergens. These histamines can lead to inflammation and bad breath.
Inflammation such as sinusitis, bronchitis, or tonsillitis can lead to bad breath.
22. Foods with strong odors
Some foods with strong odors, such as garlic and onions, can cause bad breath.
What to do if Invisalign smells bad?
If your Invisalign smells bad, there are a few things you can do about it:
1. Practice good oral hygiene
Brush and floss regularly, and be sure to clean your Invisalign trays thoroughly.
You should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day. You should also floss your teeth at least once a day.
As maintaining oral hygiene is more important while you are wearing Invisalign, you can also get an electric toothbrush to make it more effective.
You can also use a tongue scraper to keep your tongue clean.
2. Clean Invisalign aligners regularly.
You should clean your Invisalign trays at least twice a day. Be sure to brush them, and then rinse them off with lukewarm water. You can also soak them in a denture cleaning solution.
3. Use a mouthwash
Use an antibacterial mouthwash. Antibacterial mouthwashes can help to kill bacteria in your mouth and freshen your breath.
4. Consider professional cleaning
If you have tartar or plaque build-up, you may need to see a dentist for a professional cleaning.
This will help to remove the tartar and plaque, and it will also help to freshen your breath.
5. Find out the cause
If you are not sure what is causing your Invisalign to smell bad, try to find the cause first. You should always see your dentist for that. They will be able to help you find the cause and provide you with treatment.
6. Treat the dental problems
If you have bad breath because of dental problems such as dental caries or gum disease, it’s important to see a dentist so that they can be treated.
7. See your dentist or orthodontist
If you are having trouble with the Invisalign smell, see your dentist or orthodontist for advice.
They may be able to recommend a different type of Invisalign that is easier to keep clean.
8. Treat the certain medical conditions
If you have bad breath, see your doctor and find out the medical cause for it. Treating the underlying health condition of bad breath will usually help to get rid of it.
How to prevent Invisalign from smelling?
There are a few things you can do to prevent your Invisalign from smelling bad.
1. Brush and floss regularly
Brush and floss regularly to maintain good oral hygiene. This will help to remove food and bacteria from your teeth and gums.
2. Clean your Invisalign trays thoroughly
You need to clean your Invisalign trays thoroughly after each use to prevent them from smelling bad.
3. Wear your Invisalign for the prescribed amount of time
Wear your Invisalign aligners as directed. Don’t wear your Invisalign for more than the prescribed amount of time. This will help to prevent food and bacteria from building up on your Invisalign.
Check out my other article on what happens if you don’t wear Invisalign enough.
4. Rinse your mouth with water after eating and drinking
After eating or drinking, rinse your mouth with water. It helps to eliminate food and microorganisms from the mouth by swishing it around.
5. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue daily
Your tongue can harbor bacteria. Use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from your tongue.
6. Quit smoking
Smoking can cause your Invisalign to smell bad. If you smoke, try to quit.
7. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water can help to flush out bacteria and food particles from your mouth. It also helps to keep your mouth hydrated.
8. See your dentist regularly
See your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. This will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
9. Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks
Sugary and acidic foods and drinks can cause tooth decay. Avoid them to keep your teeth healthy.
10. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles
You should use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging your teeth and gums.
11. Use toothpaste with fluoride
Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride.
12. Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing gum can help to freshen your breath and remove food particles from your mouth. Chew sugar-free gum that contains xylitol. However, while chewing gums make sure you remove the aligners.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to prevent your Invisalign from smelling bad.
Takeaways
Invisalign can smell bad if it is not cleaned properly or if you don’t maintain oral hygiene. Be sure to practice good oral hygiene, keep the aligners clean and only wear your Invisalign for the prescribed amount of time. If you are having trouble keeping your Invisalign clean, see your dentist or orthodontist for advice.
