Clear aligners are a great way to get the new smile you've always wanted, but the treatment does have side affects. Invisalign dry mouth is a common complaint, but there are things you can to to keep it under control. In our latest blog post, we will cover simple and easy solutions to cope with Invisalign dry mouth.
Drink Plenty of Water to Replenish Invisalign Dry Mouth
Stay Hydrated to Prevent Invisalign Dry Mouth
One of the easiest — and probably most obvious — treatments for Invisalign dry mouth is drinking more water throughout the day. But you should also keep in mind that certain drinks, such as those that contain sugar, caffeine, or alcohol can actually make your dry mouth worse. An extra glass or two of water will do just fine. You can also try sucking on ice cubes, which not only helps dry mouth but can also provide Invisalign pain relief. Just be mindful about chewing the ice, as it can damage your Invisalign trays.
Clean Aligners Help Prevent Invisalign Dry Mouth
Dirty Aligners Contribute to Dry Mouth
Clear aligner patients should learn how to clean Invisalign the right way. Most people simply clean them at the same time they brush their teeth, but that isn’t always sufficient. To help prevent Invisalign dry mouth, you can follow a series of simple tips for cleaning your clear aligners, including:
- Rinsing your trays every time you take them out to prevent saliva from drying on them
- Brushing your clear aligners with a mild soap or non-abrasive toothpaste at least once a day
- Purchasing a specialized Invisalign cleaning kit
- Soaking your trays in a mixture of white distilled vinegar and tap water for 15-30 minutes before rinsing it off with water
- Use a spray cleaner like Smilesaver Spray, which works in 60 seconds to kill germs and bacteria
Try Sugar-Free Mints or Invisalign Dry Mouth Rinse
Keep Your Aligners Fresh and Clean With These Products
Want to stay hydrated while controlling Invisalign bad breath? You can suck on a sugar-free mint, but remember that not all sugar-free mints are created equal. Many are sweetened with aspartame and other artificial sweeteners that just aren’t good for you. That's why we created Movemints, sugar-free mints designed specifically for Invisalign and have patented grooves that seamlessly fit between your top and bottom trays to help you wear them comfortably.
Plus, Movemints are sweetened with a therapeutic dose of xylitol, which is clinically proven to prevent Invisalign dry mouth and also has other beneficial properties for oral health. Chewing on Movemints is also great for keeping your breath fresh and minty so you can stay confident throughout your treatment.
If dry mouth is a real issue for you, try a sugar-free moisturizing spray like Biotene to more proactively treat dry mouth. Biotene, for instance, is designed to relieve dry mouth symptoms for up to four hours. Alcohol-free mouthwash can also provide relief for dry mouth.
Consider Purchasing a Humidifier
Having Trouble Managing Your Invisalign Dry Mouth? Try Running a Humidifier
Do you constantly find yourself waking up with dry mouth? The Pure Enrichment MistAire Humidifier can treat dry mouth by increasing moisture in the air, thereby supporting saliva production. Humidifiers can do more than prevent dry mouth. Many people enjoy using them for relieving dry, itchy skin, sinus conditions, dry coughs, and more. If you are looking for a product that can address multiple aspects of your health, a humidifier might be the perfect addition to your room.
Replace Food and Drinks That Cause Invisalign Dry Mouth With Healthier Alternatives
A Change in Diet Can Make a Huge Difference in Your Treatment
Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol can often cause dehydration in consumers. This often results in dry mouth in patients who currently wear invisible trays.
Try to avoid or cut down on these foods and drinks:
- Soda
- Coffee
- Alcoholic beverages such as wine or beer
- Dry or salty foods like chips or bread
Invisalign users should also avoid using tobacco products, as they tend to dry out one’s mouth too. This includes tobacco products in any form, such as hookah or cigarettes.
Foods with high moisture content, on the other hand, are effective in preventing the formation of dry mouth in patients. Remember to add these foods to your grocery cart the next time you hit the store:
- Fruits such as strawberries or bananas
- Vegetables including carrots and broccoli
- Fruit Smoothies
- Soups
- Fish
- Eggs
Serving the food lukewarm rather than piping hot can also help you retain moisture in your mouth. As always, remember to take your clear aligners out before you eat.
Are you ready to fix your Invisalign dry mouth issues once and for all? Visit Movements — mints designed for invisible aligners and seat trays — to learn more about how you can eliminate dry mouth and other discomforts that typically result from Invisalign. For years, Invisalign patients have used Movemints to improve their dental health and eliminate dry mouth, so isn’t it time you gave the Mint that Fits™ a try?