Now more than ever, people are choosing clear aligners over traditional braces – and for good reason!

One of the main benefits of wearing clear aligners (along with the obvious invisibility of aligners) is the ease of cleaning and maintaining them. You can remove your clear aligners as needed, which means you won’t have to work around any brackets or wires to get a thorough cleaning.

That said, maintaining proper oral hygiene with any orthodontic treatment is crucial to achieving the best results.

How to Keep Teeth Clean with Clear Aligners

Whether you’re new to wearing ClearCorrect® clear aligners or have been using them for a while, here are some essential tips to keep your aligners clean and your smile sparkling:

1.Brush regularly and thoroughly
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft-bristle manual toothbrush or soft-bristle electric toothbrush to avoid damaging your gums and enamel.

In an extensive 11-year study by the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, using an electric toothbrush resulted in 22% less gum recession and 18% less tooth decay in subjects, as compared to using a manual toothbrush! If you don’t have an electric toothbrush, this could be a good investment for you.

If you really want to keep that smile sparkling throughout treatment, we recommend brushing your teeth an additional time in the afternoon! Less food debris stuck in your teeth means less bacteria, less plaque, and better oral hygiene.

2. Don’t neglect floss!
Flossing should be used alongside brushing to remove plaque and food particles from places where your toothbrush can’t reach. This helps keep your teeth and gums clean, prevent cavities and gum disease, and prevent bad breath!

Floss at least once each night for a thorough cleaning.

3. Do a quick mouthwash rinse each day.
Flossing and brushing are absolutely essential, whether you’re in clear aligner treatment or not, but using an antibacterial mouthwash can really boost your oral hygiene routine and safeguard you from bacteria buildup.

Antibacterial mouthwash kills bacteria and freshens your breath. Since bacteria thrive in the warm, moist environment of your mouth, rinsing with mouthwash after brushing and flossing is an easy way to further disinfect your smile with minimal effort.

4. Stay hydrated!

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps wash away food particles and keeps your mouth hydrated, reducing the risk of dry mouth and bad breath. Plus, when your body is hydrated, it has a better chance of fighting off harmful bacteria and preventing gum disease.

5. Be consistent.
Consistency is key! If you’re committed to achieving that perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of, you have to commit to consistent cleaning. Don’t go to bed without cleaning your teeth, and make a practical routine of caring for your smile throughout the day.

Cleaning Clear Aligners

The same way you commit to cleaning your teeth, it’s important that you commit to cleaning your clear aligners too. After all, clear aligners are hanging out in your mouth day and night, which means they’re susceptible to the same bacteria buildup that occurs in your teeth and gums.

1. Gently brush your clear aligner with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive, non-whitening toothpaste or mild soap and lukewarm water after every meal.
2. Soak your clear aligners regularly too! You can use lukewarm soapy water, or you can use a retainer cleaning solution, like Retainer Brite, to eliminate odors, calcium and mineral deposits that can lead to yellowing retainers and bacteria growth.

Commit to your oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment for the best results!

Maintaining oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is non-negotiable. Along with cleaning your teeth and clear aligners daily, here’s what you can do:

1. Be sure not to miss any of your regular dental check-ups/cleanings. Your dentist is here to monitor your oral health and catch any issues before they progress.
2. Eat a balanced diet. Overloading on sugary and acidic foods can cause yellowing or discoloration in teeth, tooth decay and gum disease. Opt for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to support not only your oral health but your overall health and wellbeing too.
3. Wear your aligners as directed. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how long to wear your aligners each day. Consistent wear is crucial for the success of your treatment.
4. Store your aligners properly. When you’re not wearing your aligners, store them in their protective case to prevent damage and contamination.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene while using clear aligners doesn’t have to be a chore. With daily care, you’ll be well on your way to a perfect smile that lasts a lifetime.

If you haven’t started your transformation journey yet, getting started is easy! Get started from home or on-the-go with a quick virtual consultation.

We’re proud to provide top-quality clear aligner treatment at Secure Dental, with conveniently located dentist offices in Portage, IN, Lake Station, IN, Hammond, IN, Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, Foster Ave., Chicago, IL, Schaumburg, IL, East Peoria, IL, Moline, IL, and Davenport, IA!

At Secure Dental, we know how important a bright, white smile is for your confidence and overall appearance. Many people wonder, “Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?” or, “why is my tooth gray/brown?”

We’re here to help you understand the causes of tooth discoloration, the different types of tooth stains, and your available treatment options! Here’s everything you need to know:

(Keep reading to find out how you can get your teeth professionally whitened and straightened!)

What causes tooth discoloration?

There are different types of discoloration in teeth, which can be broadly categorized into two types: extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Once you know the type of discoloration you have, it’s easier to determine the right treatment route.

Extrinsic tooth stains

Extrinsic stains affect the outer layer of the tooth, known as the enamel. These may be brown, orange, yellow or green in color.

Common causes of extrinsic tooth stains include:

• Food and drinks: Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored fruits and vegetables can stain teeth.
• Tobacco use: Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause yellow or brown stains.
• Poor dental hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to plaque buildup, which can cause discoloration. In severe cases, this may cause green tooth discoloration.

Intrinsic tooth stains

Intrinsic stains occur within the tooth structure, not on the surface.

Common causes of intrinsic tooth discoloration include:

• Medications: Certain antibiotics, like tetracycline, can cause tooth discoloration if taken during childhood.
• Trauma: Injury to a tooth can cause it to turn gray or brown.
• Aging: As we age, the enamel wears down, revealing the yellowish dentin beneath.

Most Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration in Adults

Adults may experience tooth discoloration due to various factors, including:

• Diet: Frequent consumption of staining foods and drinks
• Lifestyle: Smoking and poor oral hygiene
• Genetics: Some people have naturally thinner enamel, which can make their teeth appear more yellow.
• Aging: Natural wear and tear over the years
• Medical conditions and treatments: Certain illnesses and treatments, like chemotherapy, can affect tooth color.

Why do I have gray tooth discoloration?

Gray discoloration of a tooth is often a result of trauma or damage to the tooth’s nerve. When the nerve is injured and receives limited blood flow, it can cause the tooth to break down and turn gray over time.

If you have this type of discoloration, please schedule an appointment with us. One of our highly-experienced doctors will assess your condition to address both the cosmetic issue as well as underlying health concerns.

Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?

Even with regular brushing, teeth can become discolored due to factors like diet, genetics, and aging. Brushing alone may not be enough to remove deep-set stains or intrinsic discoloration.

Professional dental care, including regular cleanings and whitening treatments with your Secure Dental team, can help maintain and improve the appearance of your teeth.

We’re here to give you any tips you need to reach your smile goals.

Professional Teeth Whitening for Tooth Discoloration

If you have tooth discoloration and are looking for “professional teeth whitening near me” in Schaumburg, IL, Portage, IN, Lake Station, IN, Hammond, IN, Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, Foster Ave., Chicago, IL, East Peoria, IL, Moline, IL, or Davenport, IA, we’re here to help.

We provide Pola Light professional teeth whitening take-home kits to help brighten your smile! Unlike over-the-counter products, professional whitening agents provide faster, more dramatic results.

Pola Light teeth whitening is safe, fast, and easy to use! It also features a unique blend of soothers and conditioners with high water content to reduce sensitivity and create a more comfortable experience during and after whitening.

Get teeth straightening and whitening near you!

If you’re looking to improve both the alignment and color of your teeth, our Secure Dental team offers ClearCorrect® clear aligner treatment with professional teeth whitening! We’re your all-in-one solution for achieving and maintaining a smile that’s not only healthy, but beautiful, straight and brilliant.

Clear aligners are a discreet and comfortable way to straighten your teeth without the need for noticeable, traditional metal braces. They’re virtually-invisible and won’t hinder your social or professional life, and they’re custom-designed just for you.

With ClearCorrect clear aligners and professional Pola teeth whitening, you can experience a stunning smile that lasts a lifetime.

Take the first step to renew your smile today.

Tooth discoloration is a common issue that can affect anyone. You’re not alone!

Understanding the causes and types of teeth stains can help you take proactive steps to mitigate potential causes and maintain a bright, healthy smile.

Whether you’re dealing with yellow teeth, gray discoloration, or other types of stains, Secure Dental is here to help. Our teeth straightening and whitening service is cost-effective and convenient.

You can get answers without even leaving your house, by completing a virtual consultation before you visit us! Simply click the SmileSnap button in the bottom right corner of our site to complete a quick clear aligner consultation and find out if clear aligners and whitening are ideal for you.

Prefer to start in person? Schedule an appointment with our family-friendly dentist’s office today.

So you’re ready to experience the beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of, but you aren’t sure which treatment route is best? You’ve probably heard of both clear aligners and braces, but you may not know the specific differences between braces and aligners.

We’re here to help! Here’s everything you need to know to weigh the pros and cons of braces vs. clear aligners:

1. Convenience: Braces vs. Aligners

Braces are permanently fixed to your teeth for the duration of your treatment, but clear aligners (like ClearCorrect®) are removable. This means you can easily take them out to eat, brush, floss, and clean your clear aligners.

Braces tend to get food stuck in the brackets and wires, which requires you to play closer attention to your oral hygiene to prevent plaque buildup. With clear aligners, you just clean your teeth as you normally would before treatment!

When it comes to convenience, clear aligners are the clear winner over braces.

2. Appearance: Braces Vs. Aligners

One of the reasons why many people don’t take the step to improve their smile and enhance their quality of life is because they don’t see traditional braces as aesthetically-appealing. Maybe you’re concerned with braces affecting your confidence, or impacting your social or professional life. It’s a valid concern!

Fortunately, braces are not your only option nowadays. Clear aligners are their modern alternative. ClearCorrect clear aligners are made of high-quality, transparent plastic that makes them virtually-invisible when in place.

If appearance is your concern, clear aligners are the winner of this debate. Nobody has to know that you’re wearing clear aligners, and you can take them out temporarily for special occasions.

3. Comfort: Braces Vs. Clear Aligners

ClearCorrect clear aligners are custom-made to fit your unique smile. The curved, custom-fit edges of your clear aligners are molded to the natural contours of your gums and are designed to prevent discomfort.

Traditional braces are not custom-designed for your smile. Brackets may bother your cheeks and tongue, and can create soreness in your mouth. With braces, you run the risk of an “orthodontic emergency”, like a bracket breaking or wire popping out of place. This can require more visits to the orthodontist to fix your braces.

Clear aligners eliminate the risk of these emergencies, because they don’t use brackets, wires or rubber bands. When it comes to comfort, these special smile-transforming trays take the cake again!

4. Getting started: Braces Vs. Aligners

To get started with braces treatment, you’ll typically need to visit an orthodontist in-person for an exam, visit them again to have your braces placed, then visit them every 6 weeks to have your braces adjusted/tightened.

With ClearCorrect clear aligner treatment, you can get started from home! We offer a virtual assessment so you can use your phone to snap some pics of your smile, send them to us, and receive a personalized treatment plan within 24 hours.

Once you visit one of our highly-experienced doctors for a professional exam, you’ll get to complete virtual check-ins throughout the process for us to monitor your progress remotely, and minimize office visits for your convenience.

If you’re someone who values flexibility in your schedule and easy experiences, you’ll like how simple and streamlined the clear aligner treatment process is.

Take the first step today.

While both clear aligners and braces are effective treatments for aligning smiles, ClearCorrect clear aligners come out on top in terms of convenience, appearance and comfort.

We’re proud to provide top-quality clear aligner treatment at Secure Dental, with dentist offices in Portage, IN, Lake Station, IN, Hammond, IN, Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, Foster Ave., Chicago, IL, Schaumburg, IL, East Peoria, IL, Moline, IL, and Davenport, IA.

Our doctors and team are dedicated to providing the best possible care in your area. We take pride in creating a family-friendly atmosphere at our offices, and going above-and-beyond to meet our patients’ needs.

Take the first step to achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted! You can receive a personalized treatment plan and estimated treatment costs without leaving your home. Get started from home or on-the-go with a virtual consultation.

Do you wish you had braces as a kid? Or maybe you had braces but didn’t wear your retainer, and now your teeth have shifted? Either way, the idea of getting braces nowadays may make you cringe.

Fortunately, orthodontic treatment has come a long way, and braces aren’t your only option anymore. If you’re looking to straighten your teeth but aren’t familiar with clear aligners, you’ll want to know all of your treatment options.

Understanding the Basics

How do braces work?
Traditional braces have metal brackets that are glued to your teeth, with metal wires that connect the brackets. Each bracket has a colored rubber band, or elastic, that secures the wire to the brackets.

Throughout braces treatment, you’ll visit your doctor every 4 to 6 weeks to have your braces “tightened.” This involves replacing wires and rubber bands to maintain pressure on teeth.

How do clear aligners work?
Clear aligners are a modern solution and alternative to braces. They’re made of transparent plastic, which makes them virtually-invisible when in place.

Clear aligners are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth. They work in a series of sets – with one clear aligner for the top teeth and one for the bottom. Every two weeks or so (depending on your personalized treatment plan), you simply replace your current clear aligners with your next set of aligners. Each clear aligner set is designed to guide your teeth one step closer to their beautiful new formation.

Throughout clear aligner treatment, you get to complete virtual check-ins, only visiting us every 12 to 16 weeks or less! No unnecessary driving or energy needed.

Braces vs Aligners: Pros and Cons

Now that you know how braces and clear aligners work, how do you know which treatment is right for you? Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Appearance

Braces
Traditional braces are undeniably noticeable due to their metal brackets and wires. Even clear braces are noticeable from a distance. One of the reasons many people choose clear aligners is because the appearance of braces may impact a person’s professional or social life.

Clear Aligners
Clear aligners have a very discreet appearance. They’re virtually invisible and undetectable and won’t draw attention when you’re speaking or smiling. You can straighten your teeth with clear aligners without anyone knowing!

Comfort

Braces
Every time you get your braces tightened (every 4 weeks or so), you will feel increased pressure and soreness for a few days. This can require you to switch to a soft diet and take pain relievers.

Metal brackets and wires can also hurt your cheeks and tongue, and require numbing gel or wax to cover the brackets. They also have an increased risk of brackets or wires popping out of place, falling off or loosening, which can be uncomfortable and can require you to visit your doctor earlier than planned.

Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are made from smooth plastic and are generally more comfortable than braces. There are no metal parts to cause irritation, and they apply gentler, more consistent pressure to the teeth. There are no tightening appointments and no extra pieces to break or fall off, which means no emergency appointments.

Convenience

Braces
Certain foods must be avoided during braces treatment in order to prevent damaging your brackets or wires, and meticulous cleaning is needed to maintain oral hygiene. You may have to use specialized flossers to be able to reach between wires. Food particles and debris can become stuck around brackets and make it awkward to eat around people.

Clear Aligners
Clear aligners can be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. You can reach all surfaces and areas of your teeth and clean them the same way you did before treatment.

You can remove your clear aligners to deep clean them, and you don’t have to change your diet at all. Simply remove your clear aligners and eat your favorite foods. Then rinse them out and pop them back in place.

What is the difference between clear aligners and clear braces?

Clear braces are similar to traditional metal braces, except they use ceramic brackets that match the color of the teeth. While they are less noticeable than metal braces, they are still easily detectable and add a bulkiness to your teeth.

They also still involve brackets and wires, which can cause discomfort and require dietary restrictions. It’s particularly important to avoid food and drinks that can stain your clear brackets, so drinking wine and coffee should be limited or avoided with clear braces.

As you know, clear aligners are removable and made of smooth, transparent plastic, making them less intrusive in daily life. Wine and coffee are still on the table, and poking metal brackets or wires aren’t possible!

Who can get clear aligners?

Teens and adults
Clear aligners are an excellent choice for both teens and adults. Whether you’re a professional adult or a social teen, clear aligners are an ideal solution.

Active lifestyles
Since clear aligners are removable, they can be taken out during sports activities, reducing the risk of injury from metal brackets and wires.

Busy schedules
For those with busy schedules, clear aligners offer the convenience of fewer dental visits. Patients receive multiple sets of aligners at once and can change them at home, making it easier to fit orthodontic treatment into a hectic routine.

What to expect with clear aligners

At Secure Dental, we’re committed to helping you achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. We offer professional ClearCorrect® clear aligner treatment with a highly-convenient treatment experience.

1.Get started from home!
You don’t have to leave the house to find out if clear aligners are right for you. Simply click the SmileSnap button in the bottom right corner, snap some photos of your smile, and send them to us, and we’ll send you a cost estimate and a treatment plan!

2. Come see us!
Next, you’ll come to see us for a quick in-person scan and confirmation of treatment. We’ll work out a custom financing plan, explain the treatment process to you, and start your journey.

3. Get convenient, virtual care from home.
Once you start wearing your clear aligners, you’ll complete convenient virtual check-ins through an easy, secured app. Complete check-ins on your own terms—from wherever and whenever. You can connect with our team and track your progress right from the app.

Get started today.

In the debate of braces vs. aligners, clear aligners are the clear winner in appearance, convenience, and comfort.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions about ClearCorrect clear aligners, and take the first step today!

Click the SmileSnap button in the bottom right corner to get started, or schedule an appointment with us at one of our convenient dentist offices in Schaumburg, IL, Portage, IN, Lake Station, IN, Hammond, IN, Foster Ave., Chicago, IL, East Peoria, IL, Moline, IL, or Davenport, IA.