Black mark on molars

[kabandme]

I had my teeth cleaned with no problems about 2 months ago. I am on my 4th week of invisalign and just noticed a two small black dots on my back teeth. They are on my molars on either side of my lower jaw. At first, I thought it was a scrap of food or something, but it doesn't scrape off or brush away. I have no pain and the black dot doesn't seem to be raised. I'm pretty freaked out. I called my dentist and they are out for the next week due to the holidays.

Could invisalign be causing a cavity?? I don't eat or drink with the trays, so this doesn't make sense to me. I use mouthwash before putting them back in and sometimes wonder if the mouthwash (Listerine) could have sugar that I'm trapping up against my teeth.

I suppose I'll continue wearing my trays for the next week until I can see the dentist, but I can't tell you how upset I'll be if these trays have caused cavities that I can see. I've only had two cavities my entire life, so I'm not prone to them.

[mommamorin]

It is possible it could be a cavity forming. Early on in my treatment I developed two cavities after not having any for decades. After I had them fixed I had no further problems. I was quite freaked out too but I realized a cavity must have already been there but not big enough to be seen and with the lack of saliva it accelerated. I would suggest a good swish or two of water after rinsing with mouthwash but definitely get those fixed if need be.

[Lebanonite]

Ummm Listerine better not have sugar in it!!!

[Jensen]

when you sign the contract with Invisalign you sign that you are aware of the increased danger of cavities.

[robin8]

Food debris combined with sugar left on your teeth causes cavities, regardless of whether you have Invisalign or not. With Invisalign, there’s less saliva flow inside the aligners to “flash” them away so it’s important to brush the teeth and floss if necessary before putting the aligners back in after eating and drinking. Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing teeth.

Eating and drinking with the aligners in does not cause cavities as long as the teeth and the trays are properly cleaned afterwards. Cavities may also result from dry mouth and medications.

Jensen, you signed the contract with your doctor, not with Invisalign. It's up to the doctor to provide instructions on how to prevent cavities during treatment.

[kabandme]

I don't want anyone to think I use mouthwash in the place of brushing. I use it after brushing each time I eat. I'm diligent with cleaning my teeth and aligners between meals. I will be very disappointed if I have a cavity. As I mentioned, I've only had two cavities and they were between my teeth, not on the outside of the tooth which is where I see the black spot on two different teeth.

I find it hard to believe that I have a cavity from invisalign after only 4 weeks of aligners. I'm really hoping that I will learn it is some strange stain. I'll be sure to let you all know what I learn when my dentist comes back into the office.

Also, I didn't sign anything as Jensen referred to. My dentist told me nothing about care of the aligners or my teeth during treatment. His only advice to me was "wear the aligners 24 hours a day". I did a ton of research on my own and am very careful.

[NarcoAngel]

Might be a carie. Is it a hole but not painful? dental caries are normal and do not always result in cavities.

[kabandme]

UPDATE: I went to the dentist today. He can't explain it, but it is a stain on the teeth. It looks like a sharpie mark on the outside of each molar on the bottom. It is likely related to my invisalign since it happened soon after starting treatment, but he wasn't sure what would cause a mark like that on my teeth. I'm very good about brushing, flossing and cleaning my teeth before my trays are put in my mouth. I only drink water with the trays in, so I'm really unsure what would cause that kind of matching mark on both molars.

Regardless, it isn't a cavity and that makes me happy!

[kabandme]

By the way, I can't help but wonder if the black stain is from the ink printed on the tray. It's the only idea I have for a black stain. Strange.