Can You Whiten Your Teeth While Wearing Invisalign Aligners?

July 21, 2020

The journey to a bright, white smile can sometimes involve a lot of work. Wearing Invisalign clear aligners means taking extra care to make sure they remain transparent and stain-free; otherwise, they may give a yellow cast to the teeth.

Invisalign wearers may be looking into teeth whitening options that are compatible with their aligners. Brightening their teeth while realigning them would be the most efficient way of achieving a perfect smile. But can you whiten teeth while undergoing Invisalign treatment?

Here’s what you should know about whitening your teeth while wearing clear aligners:

Whitening Teeth During Realignment

While it is possible to whiten teeth while wearing Invisalign aligners, most orthodontic professionals would recommend beginning the process six months after realignment is completed. Teeth are more sensitive during realignment, which may cause complications should you choose to undergo a whitening treatment.

Aside from that, your teeth are also constantly moving as they are being adjusted to their final positions, which means that discolouration may still appear in areas that were not exposed to whitening agents. This will result in an uneven appearance and may be difficult to quickly remedy.

Giving time for your teeth to adjust without aligners will help in making the whitening process more comfortable. It will also be a much faster process since you will be evenly whitening your teeth in their final alignment.

Whitening Treatments and aligners

If you would like to pursue whitening treatment while wearing aligners, milder forms of tooth whitening would work best. Good examples of these are kinds of toothpaste or mouthwashes that are specially formulated with whitening agents. These agents help dissolve surface strains, and tiny particles with abrasive properties can help polish the teeth’s surface.

Using whitening toothpaste or mouthwash will help brighten the overall appearance of the teeth. Since these are mild, it will be easier to even out any discolouration that pops up once teeth have been fully realigned.

Another viable option is using whitening gels. These can be prescribed by dentists and can be applied either at their office or at home, on your own. Whitening gels are more intense than most whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes, so they come with instructions for proper usage. If you are interested in using whitening gel, it’s best to seek the advice of your dentist.

Tooth Whitening Trays and Your Invisalign Aligners

Although they are visually similar, tooth whitening trays are different from your Invisalign aligners. Your aligner cannot be converted into a tooth whitening tray either—Invisalign aligners are designed according to the shape and size of your teeth and gums, making them an exact fit. Applying whitening gel to the inside of the aligner may be dangerous, as the aligner will push the compound out, which can irritate your gums and/or stomach if you swallow it.

Conclusion on whitening your teeth while wearing Invisalign

It’s definitely possible to whiten your teeth while wearing Invisalign clear aligners, but it’s best to do so under the guidance of your orthodontist. For optimized results, consider beginning the whitening process once you have finished your Invisalign treatment.

Taking the first step to a healthier, more beautiful smile means knowing you’re always a candidate for straighter teeth with a specialist. Discover your treatment options at Clear Smiles Orthodontics, an Invisalign provider on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Book your free consultation with Dr. Steven J. Semaan today.

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