Does Invisalign cause cavities?

[emmastone]

I'm thinking about getting Invisalign. But wondering if the Invisalign treatment
causes cavities? Anyone with experience of this?

Thanks!
/Emma

[starfish88]

All braces increase your risk of cavities as food can get trapped next to teeth. It means you need to make sure you brush and floss more often, every time you eat is ideal. But this is true of any braces and there are lots of people here with Invisalign and regular braces who didn't get cavities during their treatment because they kept on top of it.

[DrJasonKTam]

Invisalign itself does not cause cavities. Cavities require an acid exposure to the enamel to cause the decay. Here's a blog entry I wrote last year about why some may find more cavities with aligners: http://markhamortho.blogspot.ca/2012/03 ... o-how.html

[cocomi]

it doesn't cause cavities, but there is a high chance you may get them if you don't take care of your teeth and your trays.

with invisalign, you can't drink/eat anything but water with the trays in. you need to remove them, eat, then brush your teeth (or rinse at least) before putting them back in.

it may cause cavities if say.. you drink coffee or soda, then just put the trays back in. cause then the sugar, acid, blah blah get stuck between your teeth and the tray.

basically, invisalign takes a lot more work because you have to brush your teeth a lot more. hope this helps!

[k80]

I've heard you have a higher chance of cavities with Invisalign. Not that it's Invisalign's fault or anything. It's just how your teeth are! I knew this going in, so I planned to get super careful about my teeth.

On a good day, I brush 3x/day. My doc said even just one time will suffice as long as I'm flossing as well. I have been so enlightened as to what can get stuck in teeth in my flossing adventures! I used to never get anything stuck in my teeth. But as my gaps are closed... wow! I'll never not floss again.

Anyway. Just brush your teeth and FLOSS! It's the food that gets stuck between your teeth that's the issue. When it's there, and then trapped under your trays, your saliva can't get to it and break it down like it's used to. That's the real issue. Shuttin' your natural defenses out! But it can be controlled with dental hygiene vigilance

[CatLadyAlice]

It definitely increases the risk of cavities, but as long as you're sure to clean your teeth and trays after eating and drinking, you shouldn't have a problem.

[DrJasonKTam]

Remember also that even after you brush, floss, and rinse, your saliva may still have tinges of whatever you ate/drink. Imagine having a coffee. You'll notice later even if you have cleaned up, your saliva will still have some brown in it. It is probably also a good idea to drink fluoridated water while you are in treatment to help remineralize your teeth.