Traditional braces have a long history of successfully straightening smiles, but many patients prefer a more discreet method. If you’re seeking a comfortable, less intrusive orthodontic service, you might be a good candidate for ClearCorrect aligners.
Many teens and adults opt for this treatment because the transparent trays allow their natural smile to shine through rather than draw unwanted attention. However, if the material becomes tinted yellow or brown, it defeats the purpose of ‘invisible’ aligners. Continue reading to learn why this sometimes happens and what you can do about it!
How Does ClearCorrect Work?
Instead of relying on bulky metallic brackets and wires, ClearCorrect utilizes smooth plastic trays that fit snugly over your arches to gently move your teeth into their ideal positions. Because they are removable, you must wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your pearly whites from reverting to their previous places.
Then, after a week or two, you’ll switch to the next series of trays to account for the ongoing movement of your teeth. Many patients complete treatment in 12 to 18 months, though it can be longer if you don’t adhere to the allotted wear time, have more severe misalignments to address, or have stubborn teeth that resist shifting.
Why Are My Aligners Tinted Yellow?
If your aligners have begun to look cloudy or have taken on a darker shade, you might start to feel self-conscious about your appearance when they’re inserted. There are a couple of reasons your trays might look worse for wear, and they are:
- Bacteria buildup. There are plenty of germs in your mouth that get trapped in the space between your teeth and the plastic material, allowing them to thrive and form plaque on the surface, which can cause chronic bad breath in addition to discoloration.
- Eating darkly tinted foods. Your aligners aren’t intended to be worn to eat or drink anything other than water. If you keep them inserted while consuming darkly pigmented foods, like coffee, tea, tomatoes, or berries, they can become stained.
How Can I Clean My ClearCorrect Aligners?
Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your trays looking and feeling fresh. Some tips to maintain them include:
- Removing them for meals.
- Rinsing your mouth out after eating so it’s cleaner when you reinsert them.
- Keep their carrying case with you so you have a safe place to store them if you’re eating on the go.
- Scrub them gently twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear dish soap that won’t abrade the surface.
- Soak them in a specially designed cleaning solution intended to remove up to 99% of germs without harming the plastic material.
If you’re still concerned about stained aligners, your dentist might offer additional tips and tricks you could try!
Meet the Author
Dr. Rupeshwar Renkuntla has twenty years of experience helping families improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Oklahoma after first achieving a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in India. Today, he’s a proud member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association, so you can trust that your smile is in good hands. He offers a comprehensive menu of services, including ClearCorrect aligners to straighten your grin. You can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 989-2832.