What about oral hygiene and aligners?

One of the most vital components of comprehensive care in the context of dentistry is orthodontic treatment. A straight and healthy dental alignment is a must for overall health as it not only impacts local circumstances like eating but can also play a significant role in the psychosocial aspects of the individual’s life where an aesthetic appeal can go a long way.

With an increased number of orthodontic patients now seeking treatment with cosmetic alternatives like clear aligners, we are beginning to see a shift in the treatment process and the subsequent consequences of this novel form of orthodontics. While there are innumerable studies and reviews that evaluate the efficacy of aligners and how they compete with traditional braces, very little is known about the effect of clear aligners on oral health and hygiene.

What is OHRQoL?

It is no secret that clear aligners can have a substantial effect on the oral hygiene of patients. Studies show that upon assessment of oral health with aligners, they were able to affirm that aligners were associated with better oral hygiene and health as compared to braces.

This is where we are introduced to a different evaluation technique associated with oral health, one that assesses social, psychological, and physical aspects of individual well-being. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) refers to the quality of life produced when external factors like clear aligners are applied.

Some studies have pointed out a prominent relationship between malocclusion, orthodontic treatment and OHRQoL. They found that untreated malocclusion was able to negatively affect the quality of life in patients.

Can clear aligners improve my oral health?

When it comes down to it, orthodontics is all about recreating a healthy occlusion. Orthodontists work hard to ensure that their patients do not face the possible consequences of malocclusion such as occlusal wear, abfractions, incipient decay, periodontal disease, and temporomandibular joint disorders.

Clear aligners are made up of thermoplastic material and are used to cover many or all of the teeth during the course of treatment. Clear aligner therapy (CAT) varies widely from braces in that they do not cage the teeth at all hours of the day and can be removed based on social situations or during eating. Therefore, we can declare that with clear aligners, people can maintain their oral health better and easier.

Tips for good oral health with aligners

Clear aligners do well on the oral hygiene scale. Unlike the brackets and wires of braces that lodge food debris in their nooks and crannies, clear aligners created a comparatively cleaner and healthier experience. Furthermore, there is no real evidence that indicates that clear aligners can create any oral health problems whatsoever. And as long as the patients adhere to the care and hygiene recommendations given by the orthodontists, they will be able to maintain proper dental and periodontal health.

However, patients are not entirely safe. Since plastic aligners are still prone to collecting bacteria, they should be cleaned regularly to prevent the initiation or aggravation of oral diseases. Here are a few tips to help you keep your clear aligners squeaky clean:

• Brush your teeth after every meal to loosen up the food particles that can get trapped in your teeth. On that note, you should remove your aligners when you eat.
• Flossing your teeth after eating can also help dislodge the food debris in your teeth.
• Limit foods and drinks that can stain your teeth like tea, coffee, wine, or juice.
• Brush your aligners properly. Avoid using toothpaste on them, especially whitening toothpaste.
• Use an Invisalign® cleaning kit to deep clean your aligners.
• When you’re not using your aligners, store them in a case