Can you smoke with Invisalign?

Can You Smoke with Invisalign Trays in?

The short answer is, no, you can’t smoke with clear aligners on, whether it’s cigarettes, marijuana, e-cigarettes, hookah or any other substances. It's crucial to remember that smoking poses significant risks to your health, including the potential for lung cancer. Therefore, we do not endorse or encourage smoking. If, for some reason, you decide to smoke while undergoing Invisalign treatment, it's important to remove your trays before doing so. While it's best to avoid smoking altogether, taking off your Invisalign trays before smoking can help prevent damage to your aligners and reduce the amount of smoke and debris that can get trapped in your mouth. After you smoke, rinse your mouth with a mouthwash or a foam cleaner to remove the odor and debris from cigarettes so that you could prevent the residual chemical on you teeth from staining your Invisalign trays. Rinsing your Invisalign with Fizzy 3-in-1 aligner cleaner, mouthwash and toothpaste after smoking is also recommended as it helps to reduce the odor and discoloration from your trays. 

Why Is Smoking Bad for Invisalign

Tooth Decay And Other Oral Health Problems

Smoking can cause tooth decay and other oral health problems because it reduces blood flow to the gums, which can lead to gum disease. Gum disease can cause the gums to recede, exposing more of the tooth, and making it more vulnerable to decay. Smoking also weakens the enamel of the teeth, making them more prone to cavities. When you wear Invisalign aligners, they can trap bacteria and plaque against your teeth and gums, and smoking can increase the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth, further increasing the risk of tooth decay.

Stained Aligners

Smoke can stain many materials, including plastic, which is what Invisalign aligners are made of. The nicotine and tar in cigarette smoke can build up on the surface of the aligners, creating a yellow or brownish discoloration. This discoloration not only looks unsightly, but it can also be difficult to remove with regular brushing and can affect the overall appearance of your smile. Additionally, the discoloration can make it difficult for your dentist or orthodontist to assess the fit of the aligners, which is important for monitoring your progress and ensuring that your treatment is on track.

Prolonged Process

Smoking can decrease blood flow and oxygen levels in the body. Cigarette smoke contains a variety of harmful chemicals, including nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. And these toxic chemicals cause the blood vessels to constrict or narrow, reducing the amount of blood flow that reaches different parts of the body, including the gums and teeth.

Additionally, smoking causes a decrease in the amount of oxygen that is carried by the blood, which can further exacerbate the negative effects on oral health. This decrease in blood flow and oxygen levels can interfere with the ability of the teeth and gums to heal and can slow down the process of teeth movement during orthodontic treatment because the bone and tissue surrounding the teeth need a healthy blood supply to remodel and adapt to the new position of the teeth.

Melting Trays

The heat from smoking can potentially damage Invisalign aligners by warping or distorting their shape. Invisalign aligners are made of thermoplastic materials that can soften or become misshapen when exposed to high temperatures. This can compromise the fit of the aligners, making them less effective at moving teeth into their proper positions.

Can You Smoke Weed with Invisalign?

Marijuana contains compounds that can interact with other medications, including those used in the dental office. The interaction can increase or decrease the effectiveness of the medications, leading to potential health risks.
Marijuana use can impair the body's ability to heal properly, which can result in complications after dental procedures. In addition, marijuana use can impair cognitive function and decision-making abilities, which can impact a patient's ability to provide informed consent for dental treatment. This can lead to a higher risk of complications or misunderstandings during treatment.

Can You Vape with Invisalign?

Although vaping eliminates tar, which is one of the harmful substances found in cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes or vaping devices still contain nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and various flavorings. And these chemicals can leave a residue on the aligners, causing them to become discolored over time.

Additionally, Nicotine can constrict blood vessels, including those that supply blood to the gums and teeth. This can reduce blood flow and oxygen levels to these tissues, which are essential for maintaining their health. When gums and teeth are not receiving sufficient blood flow and oxygen, it can lead to a host of issues, including inflammation, gum disease, and delayed teeth movement. Additionally, nicotine can interfere with the body's natural healing process, making it harder for the gums and teeth to recover from any damage or inflammation.

Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it narrows blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the tissues. This decrease in blood flow can affect the salivary glands, leading to a reduction in saliva production. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a common side effect of reduced saliva flow. Saliva helps to neutralize the acids in the mouth that cause tooth decay and gum disease, so a decrease in saliva can increase the risk of these oral health problems. Additionally, the reduced blood flow to the gums can also increase the risk of gum disease. Therefore, the use of nicotine, whether through smoking or vaping, can contribute to dental problems even when using Invisalign aligners.

Tips for Keeping Your Invisalign Clean for Smokers. How do you get tobacco stains out of Invisalign?

To keep your Invisalign aligners clean and free from stains, it's important to practice good oral hygiene and follow a few simple tips:

1. Try quit smoking!
2. Brush and floss your teeth before inserting your aligners to prevent staining and reduce bacteria buildup.
3. Remove your aligners before smoking and clean them thoroughly afterwards.
4. Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after smoking to reduce the risk of staining and bad breath.
5. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to clean your aligners gently, avoiding hot water.
6. Consider using a retainer cleaner or Fizzy 3-in-1 aligner cleaner, mouthwash, and foam toothpaste to clean your aligners and your teeth after smoking.
7. Avoid drinking sugary or acidic beverages while wearing your aligners, as they can lead to tooth decay and damage the aligners.
8. Clean your aligner case regularly to prevent bacteria buildup and cross-contamination.
9. Consider using an alternative nicotine delivery system, such as nicotine gum or patches, to reduce the negative effects of smoking on your oral health and Invisalign treatment.

Fizzy 3-In-1 Aligner Cleaner, Mouthwash, And Foam Toothpaste

If you're a smoker undergoing Invisalign treatment, keeping your trays clean is essential to maintain their effectiveness and ensure your teeth stay healthy. That's why we recommend trying Fizzy 3-in-1 aligner cleaner, mouthwash, and foam toothpaste. Fizzy 3-in-1 aligner cleaner, mouthwash and foam toothpaste is a great option to clean your Invisalign trays and your teeth after smoking. The mild cleaning agent in the foam helps to remove any lingering particles from your aligners. It also contain ingredients that can help to freshen your breath and kill bacteria that can cause bad breath. In addition to cleaning your aligners, the mouthwash can also help to remove any stains or discoloration caused by cigaratte on your teeth. Simply apply the foam to your aligner and let it sit. Then, use the mouthwash to swish around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. You can also use it as a toothpaste if you want to give your teeth a deeper cleaning. The product can help to ensure that your Invisalign and teeth stay clean and fresh throughout the day, even after smoking. Give Fizzy a try today and keep your Invisalign treatment on track!

Bottom Line

Smoking and the use of nicotine in any form can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems, while Invisalign treatment can increase the risk of tooth decay due to the aligners trapping bacteria and plaque against the teeth and gums. Smoking can also weaken the enamel of the teeth and reduce the blood flow to the gums and teeth, which can slow down the process of teeth movement during orthodontic treatment. In addition, smoking can cause Invisalign aligners to become discolored or warped, making them less effective. To prevent tobacco stains and maintain good oral hygiene during Invisalign treatment, smokers should practice good oral hygiene, remove aligners before smoking, and clean the aligners thoroughly afterwards, rinse their mouth with water or mouthwash after smoking, and avoid sugary or acidic drinks while wearing the aligners.

Sources:

https://thesmilepractice.com/can-you-smoke-with-invisalign/

https://www.jacksonavedental.com/post/can-you-smoke-with-invisalign