Is Teeth Whitening Possible During Invisalign Treatment?

Invisalign treatment brings simplicity and comfort to the whole process of straightening crooked teeth. This innovative tooth straightening method is so unique and convenient and has a lot of people subscribing to it. A great deal of self-confidence comes from the appearance of your teeth. Should you have gaps between teeth, discoloured or stained teeth, or misaligned teeth, you may not be able to socialise without feeling awkward or judged. In severe cases, you will feel withdrawn, and it could lead to depression which is detrimental to your physical and psychological health.

This brings us to the question of whether you can have Tooth Whitening Cambridge while straightening those pearls. A dental visit and a personal consultation with the expert on the physical condition of the teeth can go a long way to help you decide if aligners could be worn and the teeth whitened at the same time.

Can you have your teeth whitened in the middle of an Invisalign treatment?

The simple answer to this question is yes. You can have a teeth whitening done while wearing Invisalign aligners. But bear in mind that this decision should follow a dental expert’s advice and supervision because of a number of factors. Doing it all on your own may not work so well – it could even be dangerous.

If that is the case, what kind of teeth whitening will work for Invisalign wearers? That will be discussed next, but in the meantime, if you need Invisalign treatment, consult with orthodontist.

Whitening mouthwashes and toothpaste

Sometimes, products like toothpaste and mouthwash, which contain whitening agents, can be of help to those who are using Invisalign. These are less intensive methods of whitening the teeth.

People who have used this technique have revealed that with the aligners in position, the whitening agent is kept in close contact with the teeth – increasing the efficacy of the whitening action. This kind of whitening agents can help in the disintegration of surface stain, while very small abrasive particles can do the work of scrubbing and polishing the teeth surface.

Whitening gels

Apart from mouthwashes and toothpaste, whitening gels can also be prescribed by dentists for application at home or the office of the dentist. The whitening ingredients or agent in gels are higher in concentration than those in toothpaste and mouthwash. This is why gels are quite more intense than conventional toothpaste for bleaching teeth.

These products can bring about teeth sensitivity if not used according to the directive. So, sometimes whitening gels have an instructional manual showing how they should be used. It is important you follow this instruction so that you can make the most out of this treatment.

Some questions on teeth whitening alongside Invisalign use

There is no doubt that right in the process of straightening teeth using clear aligners, your teeth can get whitened, but a lot of dental experts advise that teeth whitening be done after completing the process of realigning the teeth. Do well to consult your dentist for professional advice before you start.

Is the tooth whitening tray the same as Invisalign aligners?

Not at all. Though their shapes may be similar, the clear aligners are not like the trays used for teeth whitening, so the latter should not be used like the former.

Upon installation, invisible trays are tight around the teeth of the patient, and this will make the whitening gel placed inside the aligner spew out. Should this happen, it may irritate the stomach and lining of the mouth.

What time is right for teeth whitening plus Invisalign treatment?

Some people wonder if there is actually a best time for these two procedures. However, it is the recommendation of most dentists and orthodontists that you first finish your teeth realignment before starting the procedure for teeth whitening. Among other reasons, this recommendation is good because, during Invisalign, the teeth are moving gradually and steadily. Some areas that the whitening treatment did not reach may get exposed later due to this movement. Consequently, after the entire process, you may notice some unsightly appearance due to uneven application of the whitening product.

Should you wait until after straightening your teeth to have them whitened, every inch of the tooth surface will receive the whitener in equal proportion. With this, you will easily achieve a brighter smile with whiter teeth.

Bottom line

It is possible to have teeth whitening treatment with gels, mouthwashes, and toothpaste, but most dental experts advise that teeth whitening should be a post tooth realignment work. You should do well to take good care of your teeth while straightening them.

Good oral hygiene like regular flossing and brushing should be done while wearing aligner trays. This can make your teeth appearance better even before the main whitening starts.

With a brighter smile, your self-confidence will receive a boost; you will feel good about everything. It is also important that before you take a major step in improving the aesthetics or function of your teeth that you consult a professional.