As you have smooth sailing with your Invisalign treatment, you may be enjoying your experience. You don’t have to worry about breaking any metal wires or brackets, but what if your clear aligners don’t look so transparent anymore? They may have gotten a yellow tint, but how can you fix it up? Here’s why this discoloration happens and tips to avoid it in the future.
What Made My Invisalign Yellow?
Oftentimes, multiple reasons might cause the yellow coloring. Here are some you should know:
- Drinking anything with your trays in can cause stains on both the aligners and your teeth. The plastic that Invisalign is made from is porous, so dark particles can linger in these areas.
- You use colored mouthwash. Similar to the point above, doing this part of your oral hygiene while wearing your trays or without rinsing with water afterward can be the culprit.
- Saliva may have dried on your aligners. While it is mainly made of water, there are minerals, proteins, mucus, and enzymes that give it a different color when it dries.
- Plaque and bacteria might’ve transferred to your trays. When they harden, they can cause discoloration.
How Can I Avoid Staining My Trays?
With there being multiple culprits to keep an eye out for when it comes to yellowing Invisalign, taking steps to avoid it is easy. One thing you should keep up with is brushing and flossing after eating. This will clean out any bacteria and debris on your teeth, so they can’t pass onto your aligners.
As well, only drink water when wearing your trays. Anything else can get stuck between them and your teeth. This can not only lead to discoloration on your orthodontics, but on your smile as well. You might also be putting yourself at a higher risk of cavities. Just be sure to take them out and swish water after enjoying other beverages.
What Can I Do to Turn My Aligners Clear Again?
That being said, if you do have aligners with a yellow tint, then there are things you can do to lessen it. Try to brush them with a water and white vinegar mixture or diluted hydrogen peroxide. While they may not get rid of it fully, either can help until you move on to your next set.
You’ll need to swap out your Invisalign trays relatively soon, so look forward to that. Once you do, then remember the tips to help ensure you can make sure they stay as transparent as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Zahara Munis earned her dental degree from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. She is proud to offer a braces alternative like Invisalign to the Snow Dental community. By sticking with you every step of the way, you can feel confident knowing you can do your best to avoid delays to your healthier bite. If you have questions about your aligners, schedule an appointment or call Dr. Munis’ office at (512) 371-7239.