If you're considering Invisalign treatment and currently smoke or vape, it's important to understand how these habits can affect your treatment and oral health.
Smoking and vaping are not recommended during Invisalign treatment. Smoke and vapour residue can build up on the aligners, causing discolouration. Heat from cigarettes or vaping devices can also warp the aligner plastic, affecting its fit and effectiveness.
Tobacco smoke and nicotine can stain clear aligners, causing a yellowish discolouration. This affects both the appearance of the aligners and may affect how well they fit as residue builds up.
Heat from smoking or vaping can warp aligner plastic, changing its shape and reducing its effectiveness. Chemicals in tobacco smoke and vape aerosol can also degrade the aligner material over time.
Nicotine can contribute to dry mouth, which creates an environment where bacteria thrive. This can worsen bad breath, particularly when combined with aligner wear.
Smoking and vaping during Invisalign treatment can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Nicotine reduces blood flow to the gums, which can affect gum health and may compromise the success of orthodontic treatment. These are risks of smoking and vaping generally, but they are particularly relevant during orthodontic treatment when oral hygiene is already more important than usual.
If you currently smoke or vape and are undergoing Invisalign treatment, the following practices can help support your treatment:
Keep your aligners clean: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and cool water to clean your aligners after each use.
Wear your aligners as directed: Aligners typically need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day to be effective. Removing them frequently for smoking can reduce wear time and extend treatment duration.
Avoid heat exposure: Keep aligners away from open flames, hot liquids, and heat sources. Heat can warp the aligner material.
Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush after every meal or beverage, removing the aligners first. Floss at least once a day. This helps maintain oral health and reduces the risk of discolouration.
If you're a smoker or vaper considering orthodontic treatment, discuss your habits with your dentist. Options to consider include switching to nicotine replacement products (patches, gum, or lozenges) during treatment to reduce smoke and residue exposure, or discussing whether traditional fixed braces may be more appropriate for your situation — though fixed braces carry their own oral hygiene challenges and do not eliminate the oral health risks of smoking.
Your dentist can advise on the most clinically appropriate treatment option for your individual circumstances.
All orthodontic treatments carry risks. Risks of Invisalign include discomfort when new aligners are placed; tooth root resorption; enamel wear at attachment sites; gum irritation; temporary speech changes; the possibility that treatment may take longer than estimated or may not fully achieve the planned outcome; and relapse if retainers are not worn as directed after treatment.
For full information about risks and potential side effects, please visit our treatment risks page: https://www.gorgeoussmiles.com.au/treatment-risks/
Smoking and vaping during Invisalign treatment is not recommended. Both can damage aligners, stain the plastic, affect oral health, and potentially compromise treatment outcomes. If you smoke or vape, discuss this with your dentist before starting treatment so they can advise on the most appropriate approach.
At Gorgeous Smiles, we can answer any questions about Invisalign and how your lifestyle habits may affect your treatment. Contact us for more information.
For full information about treatment risks, please visit: https://www.gorgeoussmiles.com.au/treatment-risks/
Gorgeous Smiles Melbourne CBD | 121 Exhibition St | Book online or call (03) 9042 0483
All dental treatment carries risks. The treatments described on this site may not be appropriate for your oral health. A full consultation with an AHPRA-registered dental professional is required before confirming suitability for any procedure. Individual results vary. For information about treatment risks, please visit our treatment risks page.