Before we hop into when it is best to whiten your teeth, what even is Invisalign?
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a clear aligner that is an alternative to braces. They straighten your teeth in stages, just like braces. But unlike braces you do not have to wear them all the time! They are clear and usually can not be seen once they are put in. Made of a strong plastic material, the aligner is molded to the shape of the person's mouth so that they fit perfectly for each round of straightening.
So how does the process work? It all starts when the orthodontist takes a mold of your teeth to make the plastic aligner. After waiting for the aligners to come in, you have many different ones over the course of however long your straightening process takes. This can span from a handful of weeks to many months. Throughout the process your teeth begin to shift to the position you are ultimately trying to achieve. In the end you are left with straighter teeth without the look of braces! Many people may wonder, is it okay to whiten my teeth while using Invisalign or braces?
Can I Whiten My Teeth with Invisalign?
The teeth whitening process is completely safe, but there are many factors that make it not the best for when you are straightening your teeth. Professionals suggest not to whiten your teeth during Invisalign sessions as your teeth are already going through a sensitive time and you do not want to add any type of trauma to the teeth. Because your teeth will be moving to a new position, you can feel a lot of soreness during that time. There is also a risk of having uneven whitening patches as your teeth shift throughout the process. Focus on your straightening process during your Invisalign period, once that is done you can focus on achieving that white smile!
But, if you still want to whiten your teeth while having an Invisalign, it is a better option then doing it while having braces. Having clear aligners instead of braces while going through the process of whitening your teeth will be lead to less uneven whitening results. This is because here at Novashine we do not recommend using our teeth whitening kit if you have braces. Once you get the braces off, there may be an uneven white area where the braces were as they were unable to get the treatment. Unlike braces, the clear aligners can be taken out, leaving the whole teeth exposed to the treatment!
What Can I Do Instead?
Because of the shifting and soreness, it is ultimately best to avoid trying to whiten your teeth for both braces and Invisalign! A less intense option that would be great for Invisalign users is a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash! These products can help naturally whiten your teeth but also don't cause any extra stress on your teeth. Dental hygiene is extremely important while getting that straight smile, so why not clean and whiten at the same time!
