A question that our dentists often get asked from Invisalign patients is ‘can I still have hygiene cleans during my Invisalign treatment?’ We’re happy to tell patients that they can continue their regular oral hygiene routine including their hygiene appointments with Invisalign. It’s even more important to keep up with teeth cleaning, including deep teeth cleans during your Invisalign treatment and it will help your teeth and gums stay healthy. Find out more about how deep cleaning works and how it will impact your Invisalign treatment.
What Is Deep Teeth Cleaning?
Definition of Deep Teeth Cleaning
A deep teeth cleaning is a more thorough cleaning than a regular hygiene clean. It is sometimes referred to as scaling and root planing because the treatment cleans between your teeth and gums down to your roots. Deep teeth cleaning involves removing plaque and tartar buildup that has gone below the gum line, reaching areas that aren’t normally cleaned during a standard cleaning. Deep cleaning can help to prevent gum disease and improve your oral health.
How It Differs from Regular Cleaning
Regular hygiene treatment is less comprehensive cleaning than a deep teeth cleaning and involves the process of removing plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and just above the gum line. Deep cleaning is usually required if patients require a more extensive clean of their teeth and gums. During a deep clean your hygienist will spend more time on the spaces below your gums to remove harmful bacteria and plaque that can lead to gum diseases and tooth decay. Deep cleaning is recommended when your dentist or hygienist notices evidence of gum disease.
Can You Get Deep Cleaning During Invisalign Treatment?
Compatibility of Deep Cleaning with Invisalign Treatment
You can still get a deep cleaning with Invisalign treatment, it doesn’t interfere with your Invisalign aligners and can be very beneficial for keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout your Invisalign treatment.
How Aligners Are Removed During the Cleaning Process
Before your appointment, you’ll be asked to remove your Invisalign aligners and store them in your protective case. After your cleaning, you can simply put your aligners back in and continue with your treatment as normal.
Benefits of Deep Cleaning During Invisalign
Prevents Gum Disease
Deep teeth cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to gum disease particularly in areas that are difficult to reach. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is essential for ensuring success of your Invisalign treatment and maintaining your overall oral health.
Freshens Breath
A great benefit of deep teeth cleaning is that it leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh, limiting bad breath. Plaque and bacteria are main contributors of bad breath, the deep cleaning process removes this.
Decreases Tooth Sensitivity
Deep teeth cleaning can also help reduce tooth sensitivity, especially if you continue to have regular cleans during your Invisalign treatment as it the clean can help address teeth and gum concerns early.
Improves Oral Health
By having deep cleaning treatment during your Invisalign treatment you will help to maintain optimum oral health and ensure a more successful treatment outcome.
How to Prepare for Deep Cleaning with Invisalign
Remove Aligners Before Your Appointment
You will need to remove your Invisalign aligners before your deep cleaning treatment. Make sure you store your aligners in their protective case.
Discuss Your Concerns Ahead of Treatment
If you’re a nervous patient or experience dental anxiety, make sure you discuss this with your dentist or hygienist before your treatment begins. They will be able to provide reassurance and answer any concerns you might have to help put you at ease.
Follow Your Clinician’s Instructions
Your dentist or hygienist may give you instructions to follow before your appointment, such as avoiding hard or sticky food before your appointment as it could cause irritation or discomfort to your gums ahead of the cleaning.
Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygiene During Invisalign Treatment
Clean Your Aligners Daily
Using a soft toothbrush, a small amount of toothpaste and warm water is the best way to clean your aligners daily. Daily cleaning will help keep your aligners free from bacteria and avoid staining.
Rinse Your Aligners Often
It’s important to rinse your aligners often throughout the day, particularly when you remove your aligners to eat and drink to prevent food build up and staining.
Brush and Floss Regularly
You need to continue with your oral hygiene routine while wearing Invisalign aligners. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss once daily to maintain optimum oral health.
Avoid Particular Food and Drink
Avoid any food or drink that could stain your aligners as well as acidic food and drink that could lead to tooth decay. Drink water after having drinks like coffee and tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my teeth cleaned if I have Invisalign?
Yes, you can still have your teeth deep cleaned with Invisalign. You will need to remove your aligners ahead of your cleaning.
Can you get dental work done while using Invisalign?
You can have dental work done during your Invisalign treatment. Hygiene treatments and deep teeth cleaning is recommended to continue as normal during Invisalign treatment. If required, you can also have other dental treatments such as fillings and crowns with Invisalign treatment. Your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist may recommend treatment before you begin your Invisalign journey. Other treatment such as teeth whitening is better to wait until after completion of your Invisalign treatment.
What is the biggest complaint with Invisalign?
The main pain point that patients find with Invisalign is that it requires compliance. You need to consistently wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day and must remember to remove them to eat.
Can I get my teeth deep cleaned with braces?
You can still have a deep teeth cleaning with Braces, but it may take longer than a regular deep cleaning as you can’t remove your Braces for treatment like you can with Invisalign aligners.
Does deep teeth cleaning hurt?
Deep teeth cleaning can cause some discomfort, particularly if you have gum disease or substantial plaque buildup. We recommend discussing any concerns with your dentist or hygienist ahead of treatment so they can take measures to make the treatment more comfortable for you.
What to expect after deep cleaning of teeth?
You may notice some sensitivity or slight discomfort after a deep teeth cleaning, this will resolve within a day or two. Your teeth, mouth and gums will be left feeling cleaner and fresher.
Conclusion
Continuing regular professional teeth cleaning with Invisalign is important for maintaining good oral hygiene. If deep teeth cleaning is required, it’s crucial to still get this treatment during your Invisalign plan to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and disease free. Looking after your smile during your Invisalign journey will help ensure your treatment progresses as planned. Book your deep cleaning appointment with Lumino today and keep your smile healthy and bright! Get started here