smoke with Invisalign

It is now difficult for an orthodontist to deal with a patient with Invisalign who smokes frequently. If you smoke frequently and want to get orthodontic treatment like Invisalign, you should be aware of certain things. 

In this blog article, we are going to clearly explain the problems of smoking with Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is the most popular orthodontic treatment used to straighten your crooked or misaligned teeth without the use of traditional metal braces. They are non-visible clear aligners, and you can remove them, eat whatever you want, and wear them again after thoroughly cleaning your teeth. They are not as uncomfortable and humiliating as conventional metal braces. Likewise, they are not painful.

Can you smoke with Invisalign?

It is usual that smokers frequently experience dental stains that vary from yellow to brown. However, smoking is absolutely not advisable while undergoing Invisalign treatment. 

If you are unable to control your urge, the best you can do is take out your aligners when you smoke. After flossing and cleansing your teeth, put them back on. Even if the trays are taken out while smoking, the nicotine and tobacco residue that remains in your mouth after smoking can stain your aligners. It is also dangerous to have tobacco residue in your mouth. 

Removing Invisalign frequently to smoke may affect treatment

However, Invisalign is designed to be removed while eating, brushing and flossing your teeth and smoking. They ought to be worn for at least 22 hours per day. 

If you wear an aligner for less than 22 hours, it could affect the duration of your treatment and make it require prolonged time for the teeth to become properly aligned.

What Effects Does Smoking Have While Receiving Invisalign Treatment?

Smoking is dangerous for you for a variety of reasons. It has a number of negative impacts on dental health, including:

  • It may raise the chance of gum disease and dental decay.
  • It can cause stains or discoloration on the teeth.
  • It may increase the risk of oral cancer.
  • It can lead to chronic bad breath. 
  • It can cause dry mouth.
  • It can lead to enamel erosion.

In addition to harming your oral health, it also has the following negative effects on your overall health.

  • It may raise the chance of lung disease. 
  • It could lead to higher blood pressure more likely.
  • It may raise the chance of developing the risk of heart problems. 

The impact of smoking on Invisaligners

The following problems are likely to happen if you smoke while wearing aligners trays:

  • Aligners become stained, which is extremely noticeable.
  • Persistent foul breath throughout the day.
  • There can be a higher risk of gum disease while receiving aligner treatment. 
  • Wearing aligners for less time means a higher chance of Invisalign failure. 

We provide the following guidelines to smokers who are receiving Invisalign treatment because the risks are serious and should not be taken lightly.

Only smoke when you are not using an aligner tray

If you have to smoke, do so only after taking aligner trays out of your teeth. By doing this, you can avoid stains developing on your aligner surfaces. That will make it harder for people to notice when you are wearing them.

Brush and floss your teeth after smoking

It is always good to brush and floss your teeth after having a cigarette to avoid the smell because of the smell that remains in your mouth. This will prevent the stain from sticking to the aligners and lower the chance of gum disease, teeth discoloration, and other negative oral health impacts from smoking. 

Reduce the number of cigarettes you have

The most important thing is that smokers getting Invisalign must reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke each day due to the fact that the aligners must be attached to teeth for at least 20 to 22 hours for Invisalign to work effectively. 

If you smoke frequently,  it will make things more difficult. Limiting your cigarette consumption will be very helpful for the success of the treatment.

You can follow certain precautions to protect your teeth and ensure treatment success, such as:

  • Try to smoke during mealtimes to reduce the amount of time it needs to be removed.
  • Brush your teeth before putting them back in position. 
  • Always take out your aligners before smoking.
  • Clean your aligners at least twice a day.
  • Ensure to wear the aligners consistently for at least 20 to 22 hours each day.

Bottom line

Quitting smoking is an ideal solution for your dental and overall health. It might be difficult, but it is good if they don’t smoke during Invisalign treatment to help ensure desirable outcomes. 

We welcome you to contact us to set up a consultation with the professionals at Surya Dental Care to learn more about Invisalign or find out if it’s the right treatment option for you.