Starting your journey towards a straighter smile is an exciting time, and for many, Invisalign has become a popular choice for discreet orthodontic treatment. As an adult, you may choose to smoke however, we are all aware that this can impact your teeth, gums, and overall health. When it comes to Invisalign treatment, there are some factors to keep in mind.

In this blog, we’ll explore the potential issues you might face of smoking on Invisalign treatment, and how to navigate this part of your orthodontic journey.

What Are Invisalign Aligners?

Invisalign is an increasingly popular orthodontic treatment, otherwise known as clear aligners, designed to gradually move your teeth into their desired position. The aligners are almost invisible to the naked eye, fitting comfortably over your teeth, offering patients a more appealing treatment to achieve a straighter smile.

So What Is The Impact Of Smoking With Aligners?

• Invisalign Aligners Can Stain From Smoking

Smoking is known to cause discolouration of the teeth, and the same applies to your clear aligners. When you smoke, the risk of discolouring your Invisalign only increases which may cause them to become less transparent, making them more noticeable.

• Prolonged Treatment Time

Your dentist will advise you that your trays need to be worn 22 hours per day in order for your treatment to be effective. However, if you choose to smoke and remove your aligners when doing so, your teeth will take longer to move and prolong your overall treatment plan.

It’s important to keep in mind how frequently you smoke or vape, since the number of times you remove your aligners will add up throughout the day, and this doesn’t include the time spent eating. 

• Oral Health Complications

In rarer cases, smoking while undergoing Invisalign treatment can cause problems for your teeth or gums. Nicotine can get caught between your teeth and the trays when you place them back on, leading to an increase in plaque. Over time, this plaque will break down your tooth enamel which can lead to tooth decay.

Tips For Smokers With Invisalign

• Remove Your Aligners When Smoking

Whenever possible, make sure to remove your Invisalign aligners while smoking. This will help to prevent direct exposure of the tobacco to your trays, helping to minimise staining.

• Keep Your Aligners Clean

Clean your aligners thoroughly and regularly with tailored cleaning solutions. This will help to ensure your aligner trays remain free of any residue and bacteria, while helping them to remain transparent.

• Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

As we advise all patients, it’s important to stay on top of your oral hygiene. Particularly for smokers, following a daily routine of brushing and flossing your teeth will ensure your teeth remain free of stains while helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

As your dental professionals, we would urge you to stop smoking and particularly when undergoing aligner treatment as this will be a great step towards improving your overall oral health. However, we aren’t here to lecture you about smoking!

Smoking with Invisalign requires some careful consideration while being proactive with your oral hygiene to ensure the success of your orthodontic treatment. If you are smoker contemplating aligners, this is a great opportunity to review your oral health habits to identify what positive changes you can make, so you can achieve a straight and healthy smile in no time.

Are you looking for more information about treatment for aligners? Get in touch with our team at Robinson’s Dental Practice today for a free orthodontic consultation with one of our aligner dentists in Christchurch.