Aligners have become increasingly popular for discreetly straightening teeth. While effective and convenient, aligners require diligent care to achieve the best results. If you vape, you may wonder how it affects both your aligner treatment and oral health.
Vaping involves more than inhaling vapour; the nicotine, heat, and chemicals can impact your aligners and teeth. This blog will discuss the risks of vaping and smoking with aligners and offer practical tips to protect your oral health.
Is it safe to vape with teeth aligners?
If you use Invisalign aligners, you might wonder whether vaping is safe. Generally, vaping with aligners is not recommended due to the associated risks.
One risk is that vapour chemicals can become trapped between your aligners and teeth, potentially staining the aligners and reducing their effectiveness. These chemicals may also react with the aligner plastic, leading to deterioration and tooth decay.
Additionally, the heat from vaping can warp or damage aligners, altering their shape and diminishing their ability to straighten teeth. This heat can also irritate your gums and mouth.
Overall, it’s best to avoid vaping while using Invisalign. If you choose to vape, remove your aligners first and clean them thoroughly afterward. Also, keep aligners away from excessive heat and chemicals to avoid damage.
How does vaping affect your Invisalign treatment?
While many people consider vaping to be safer than smoking, it still poses risks, particularly for dental health. Let’s examine how vaping impacts your Invisalign treatment specifically.
Nicotine and Staining
Using vape products can stain your teeth due to nicotine. This staining becomes more noticeable when you wear clear aligners like Invisalign, affecting how discreet your treatment appears.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth occurs when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, and vaping can worsen this condition. This dryness can be uncomfortable and may lead to gum disease and other dental issues like tooth decay.
Oral Health Issue
Vaping can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, making orthodontic treatment more challenging. The chemicals in vape liquids can irritate the soft tissues in your mouth, causing pain and swelling.
Damage
Keeping your aligners clean is essential for effective treatment. Smoking or vaping can damage your aligners by warping the plastic, making them less effective, and causing unpleasant odours. Since smoking is also unhealthy, why risk harming your teeth, aligners, and health? It’s time to quit smoking and take care of your smile and lungs.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is unpleasant, especially for people vaping while having braces or Invisalign. Vaping can cause bad breath because nicotine dries out your mouth, allowing bacteria to grow.
No one wants to be around someone with bad breath. If you want to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh, it’s time to quit vaping. This will help you maintain good oral hygiene and ensure that your Invisalign works effectively.
Tips for Vaping with Invisalign
If you choose to vape while using Invisalign aligners, consider these tips to reduce the associated risks:
- Clean your aligners: After removing your aligners, wash them thoroughly with a gentle cleanser, mild soap, and warm water to remove any residue.
- Remove aligners before vaping: Always take out your aligners before vaping to avoid exposing them to harmful chemicals in the vapour.
- Rinse your mouth after vaping: Rinse with water after vaping to minimize irritation and discomfort.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once a day to maintain a clean mouth while using Invisalign and vaping. You may need to add one or two additional tooth brushing sessions a day if you find yourself vaping. Remember, it will have to be done with a gentle brush so as not to irritate your gums.
- Avoid high heat: Heat can warp or melt your aligners, disrupting your progress. Keep your aligners away from heat sources—avoid smoking or vaping while wearing them to protect your smile.
How can you get smoke stains off Invisalign?
To help remove smoke stains from Invisalign aligners, follow these simple steps to keep them clearer.
Use approved cleaning products and methods
- Retainer Brite tablets: Designed for aligners, these tablets can be found at orthodontic clinics or online. Dissolve one tablet in water, then soak your aligners for the recommended time to clean them safely.
- Clear, unscented antibacterial soap: This gentle option is ideal for daily use. Mix a small amount with lukewarm water, brush your aligners with a soft toothbrush, and rinse thoroughly.
- Invisalign cleaning crystals: Specifically made for deep cleaning, these crystals help remove tough stains and prevent yellowing. Soak aligners in the solution for 20-30 minutes, then rinse well. Avoid overnight soaking.
- Hydrogen peroxide solution: For stubborn stains, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and lukewarm water. Soak for 15 minutes, then brush gently and rinse thoroughly.
Rinse and brush regularly
Rinse your aligners with water each time you take them out, and brush them gently with mild soap and a soft toothbrush once or twice a day. This routine helps prevent new stains and keeps aligners fresh.
Conclusion
Vaping with aligners can lead to discolouration, heat damage, and oral health issues like dry mouth and gum inflammation. To protect your aligners and oral health, it’s best to remove them before vaping, maintain good oral hygiene, and minimize vaping whenever possible. Small precautions can make a big difference in achieving the best results with your aligners.
From consultation and diagnosis to aligner care and maintenance, Enhance Dental Centre is here for you every step of the way. Our team offers expert advice on aligner use and care, along with follow-up checkups to ensure the best results. Book an appointment today to keep your smile and aligners in top shape.
