Smoking and Vaping with Clear Aligners: What You Need to Know

Can you smoke or vape while wearing clear aligners? Learn how tobacco and e-cigarettes affect your trays, your oral health, and your treatment — plus practical tips to minimise problems.

If you smoke or vape and are considering clear aligner treatment — or have already started — you are probably wondering how it affects your trays, your teeth, and your results. This is a fair and important question. The honest answer is that smoking and vaping can create specific challenges during aligner treatment, but they do not automatically disqualify you. Understanding the risks and knowing how to manage them will help you make informed decisions and get the best possible outcome from your treatment.

📌 TL;DR

Smoking with aligners in will stain and discolour your trays, may cause odour, and poses additional oral health risks including reduced blood flow to the gums, which can slow healing and affect treatment. Vaping is less likely to cause visible staining but still carries risks. Neither is recommended while wearing your trays. If you do smoke or vape, removing your aligners first and rinsing your mouth before reinserting them is the minimum precaution — though maintaining 22 hours of daily wear remains essential.

Who This Guide Is For

This article is for anyone who currently smokes or vapes (or is thinking about quitting) and is considering or undergoing clear aligner treatment. It may be particularly relevant if you:

Smoke cigarettes and want to know how it will affect your invisible braces
Use e-cigarettes or vape devices and are unsure whether it is safe to vape with aligners in
Have noticed your aligner trays becoming discoloured or developing an unpleasant smell
Are worried about the impact of smoking on your oral health during orthodontic treatment
Are using aligner treatment as motivation to reduce or quit smoking and want to understand the benefits

⚠️ A Note on Health Advice

This article focuses on how smoking and vaping interact with clear aligner treatment specifically. It is not a comprehensive guide to the health effects of smoking or vaping. If you are looking for support to quit smoking, the NHS offers free resources and services at nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking. If you have specific concerns about your oral health, please see your dentist.

Key Definitions in Plain English

Staining

In the context of aligner treatment, staining refers to the discolouration of the clear plastic trays caused by exposure to substances like tar, nicotine, food colourants, or certain drinks. Stained aligners become visible on your teeth — defeating one of the main reasons people choose clear aligners: discretion. Staining can also affect the tooth-coloured attachments bonded to your teeth and the teeth themselves.

Nicotine

Nicotine is the addictive compound found in both traditional cigarettes and most e-cigarettes/vape liquids. While nicotine itself is colourless, it can cause a yellowish tint on surfaces it contacts repeatedly. More importantly for dental treatment, nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the gums and potentially affecting how your body responds to orthodontic tooth movement.

Tar

Tar is a sticky, brown residue produced by burning tobacco. It is the primary cause of the heavy staining associated with smoking — on teeth, on aligners, and on dental restorations. Tar is not present in e-cigarettes because vaping does not involve combustion.

Other Terms You May Encounter

Attachments: Small tooth-coloured composite bumps bonded to specific teeth during aligner treatment. They help the trays grip teeth for controlled movements. Attachments can also stain from smoking.
IPR (Interproximal Reduction): Carefully removing tiny amounts of enamel between teeth to create space for alignment.
Refinements: Additional aligner trays produced after the initial series to fine-tune the result.
Retainers: Custom-made devices worn after treatment to hold teeth in their new positions.
3D scan: A digital impression of your teeth using an intraoral scanner, forming the basis for treatment planning.
Tracking: How closely your actual tooth movements follow the planned movements during treatment.
Wear time: The recommended hours per day aligners should be worn — typically 22 hours.

What Causes the Problems: Smoking vs Vaping

Smoking and vaping affect aligner treatment in different ways and to different degrees. Here is a clear comparison:

Factor	Cigarettes	Vaping / E-cigarettes
Tray staining	🔴 Severe — tar causes rapid yellowing/browning	🟡 Mild — some flavoured liquids may cause light discolouration
Tooth staining	🔴 Significant over time	🟡 Less likely but not zero risk
Attachment staining	🔴 Likely — composite material absorbs tar	🟡 Possible with heavily coloured liquids
Odour	🔴 Strong — trays absorb and trap smoke smell	🟢 Minimal — faint flavour scent possible
Gum health impact	🔴 Significant — reduced blood flow, increased gum disease risk	🟡 Some evidence of gum irritation; still being studied
Dry mouth	🔴 Common — smoke dries oral tissues	🟡 Common — propylene glycol in vape liquid is hygroscopic
Heat damage to trays	🟡 Possible — inhaled smoke is hot	🟡 Possible — vapour temperature varies by device
Tooth movement impact	🟡 Potentially — reduced blood flow may slow biological response	🟡 Less clear — nicotine still constricts blood vessels

Staining, Odour, and Oral Health: The Detail

How Smoking Stains Aligners

Cigarette smoke contains tar and hundreds of chemical compounds that deposit on any surface they contact. Clear aligner plastic (typically medical-grade polyurethane or co-polyester) is slightly porous at a microscopic level, meaning tar and nicotine can penetrate the surface rather than just sitting on top. This means:

Staining is progressive — a single cigarette may not cause obvious discolouration, but regular smoking throughout the day causes cumulative yellowing that cannot be fully cleaned off
The staining often becomes visible within days, not weeks
Stained trays become obvious on your teeth, undermining the aesthetic benefit of choosing clear aligners in the first place
Even cleaning your trays thoroughly after smoking will not fully remove embedded tar staining

How Vaping Affects Aligners

Vaping does not produce tar, which is the main staining agent in cigarettes. However:

Flavoured e-liquids may contain colourings that can cause mild tray discolouration over time
The propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine in vape liquid can leave a residue on trays
Sweet-flavoured liquids may leave a sugary film on aligners and teeth, potentially increasing the risk of tooth decay if not cleaned off
Heat from the vapour may theoretically affect the aligner material, though this is less well-documented than with cigarette smoke

Odour

Aligner trays can absorb and trap smells. Cigarette smoke odour is particularly persistent — the combination of a warm, enclosed plastic tray and smoke residue creates an unpleasant smell that is noticeable when you remove your aligners and difficult to fully eliminate with cleaning. Vaping tends to produce much less odour, though heavily flavoured liquids can leave a faint scent on trays.

Oral Health Considerations

💡 Why This Matters for Treatment

Orthodontic treatment works by triggering a biological response — controlled inflammation that allows teeth to move through bone. This process depends on healthy blood flow to the gums and supporting tissues. Smoking reduces this blood flow through nicotine-induced vasoconstriction, which may slow the biological response to tooth movement and affect healing. Healthy gums are also essential for successful treatment outcomes.

Gum disease risk: Smoking is a well-established risk factor for periodontal (gum) disease. Active gum disease can complicate or contraindicate orthodontic treatment. Your clinician will assess gum health before starting treatment.
Dry mouth: Both smoking and vaping can cause dry mouth. Saliva is essential for protecting teeth against decay and maintaining a healthy oral environment. Reduced saliva combined with wearing aligners (which already limit saliva contact with tooth surfaces) can increase decay risk.
Healing: If your treatment involves IPR, attachments, or any procedures that affect the gums, smoking can slow the healing process.
Tooth decay risk: The combination of reduced saliva, impaired immune response, and any residue trapped under aligners creates conditions that may increase the risk of tooth decay during treatment.

What Clear Aligners Can Do (and What They Cannot)

The Removable Advantage

Remove before smoking/vaping: Unlike fixed braces, clear aligners can be removed. This is a genuine advantage for smokers — removing trays before smoking prevents direct contact between smoke and the aligner plastic
Easier cleaning: Removable trays can be cleaned separately, and teeth can be brushed and flossed without brackets and wires in the way
Tray changes: Since you change trays every 1-2 weeks, any staining that does occur is replaced with a fresh tray regularly — unlike fixed braces where stained brackets remain for the entire treatment
Discreet appearance maintained: By removing trays for smoking and cleaning properly before reinserting, you can maintain the clear, discreet appearance that attracted you to aligners

What Aligners Cannot Do

Protect against oral health damage: Aligners do not shield your gums or teeth from the broader effects of smoking on oral health
Prevent tooth staining: Your teeth can still be stained by smoking even if you remove your aligners first — the staining is on the teeth themselves
Compensate for reduced compliance: If frequent smoking breaks lead to removing aligners more than intended, wear time may drop below the recommended 22 hours per day, which affects tracking and treatment outcomes
Reverse gum damage: Aligners correct tooth position — they do not treat gum disease or reverse the effects of smoking on periodontal tissues

Practical Tips to Reduce Problems

If you smoke or vape during aligner treatment, these practical measures can help minimise the impact:

✅ Always Remove Your Aligners First

This is the single most important step. Removing your trays before smoking or vaping prevents tar, nicotine, and vape residue from being trapped against your teeth and absorbed into the plastic. Store them in their case — never wrap them in a tissue (they frequently get thrown away by mistake).

✅ Rinse Your Mouth Before Reinserting

After smoking or vaping, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water before putting your aligners back in. Ideally, brush your teeth if possible. This removes residue from tooth surfaces and reduces the amount of tar, nicotine, or vape liquid that gets trapped under the tray.

✅ Clean Your Trays Regularly

Rinse your aligners under cool running water every time you remove and reinsert them. Clean them thoroughly with a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap (or a dedicated aligner cleaning solution) at least twice a day. Avoid hot water — it can warp the plastic. Soaking trays in a cleaning solution or retainer cleaning crystals can help reduce odour and light staining.

✅ Stay Hydrated

Both smoking and vaping cause dry mouth. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain saliva production and rinse away residue. This is especially important when wearing aligners, as reduced saliva under the trays increases decay risk. You can drink water with your aligners in.

✅ Monitor Your Wear Time

Every time you remove your aligners — for smoking, eating, or brushing — the clock is running on time they are not on your teeth. If you smoke frequently throughout the day, removals can add up quickly. Track your total wear time and ensure you are still achieving approximately 22 hours per day. If frequent smoking breaks are making this difficult, it is worth discussing with your clinician.

✅ Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Brush your teeth at least twice daily (ideally after every meal), floss daily, and consider using a fluoride mouthwash. Oral hygiene with aligners is important for all patients, but smokers face additional risks that make it even more critical. Pay particular attention to the gumline and between teeth where plaque accumulates.

❌ What to Avoid

Never smoke or vape with aligners in: The heat, tar, nicotine, and chemical residue will stain, warp, and degrade the tray material
Do not use whitening toothpaste on your trays: Abrasive whitening products can scratch the aligner surface, making it more visible and more prone to staining
Avoid coloured mouthwash: Some mouthwashes contain dyes that can stain aligners. Use a clear, alcohol-free formula
Do not soak aligners in mouthwash: Extended soaking in mouthwash can damage or discolour the plastic. Use products specifically designed for aligner cleaning

How Treatment Typically Works: Step by Step

The treatment process is the same whether or not you smoke — but certain steps have additional relevance for smokers:

Step 1: Assessment

A thorough examination including a 3D scan, clinical photographs, and a gum health check. If you smoke, your clinician will assess your periodontal (gum) condition carefully, as active gum disease may need to be treated by your dentist or periodontist before orthodontics can begin. Be honest about your smoking habits — it helps your clinician plan appropriately.

Step 2: Treatment Planning

Your 3D scan is used to design a digital treatment plan. Attachments (small tooth-coloured bumps) and IPR (interproximal reduction — removing tiny amounts of enamel between teeth) are planned where needed. Your clinician may discuss how smoking habits could affect treatment and offer guidance on managing them.

Step 3: Fitting

Attachments are bonded, IPR is performed if needed, and your first set of aligner trays are fitted. You will receive instructions on wear time (approximately 22 hours per day), tray care, and oral hygiene — including specific guidance relevant to smoking.

Step 4: Active Treatment

Change trays every 1-2 weeks as directed. Attend monitoring appointments every 6-8 weeks. Your clinician will check tracking, gum health, and overall progress. For smokers, these check-ups are particularly important for catching any gum health changes early. Maintain strict oral hygiene throughout.

Step 5: Refinements and Completion

Additional refinement trays may be needed to perfect the result. Once your teeth are in their final positions, retainers are fitted to maintain the outcome. Smokers should be aware that retainers can also stain — the same precautions apply during the retention phase.

Suitability Checklist

Smoking or vaping does not automatically prevent you from having aligner treatment. Here is a general guide — though only a clinical assessment can confirm suitability:

Your Situation	Suitability
Light/occasional smoker with healthy gums	Generally suitable — follow the practical tips above and maintain excellent hygiene
Regular smoker with healthy gums	May be suitable — clinician will assess gum health carefully; commitment to oral hygiene and removing trays for smoking is essential
Vaper (nicotine) with healthy gums	Generally suitable — lower staining risk than cigarettes but nicotine still affects blood flow
Vaper (nicotine-free)	Generally suitable — main concern is residue on trays and dry mouth
Heavy smoker with gum disease	Gum disease may need treatment first; clinician will advise. Smoking cessation support may be recommended before starting orthodontics.
Recently quit smoking	Excellent — gum health typically begins improving quickly after quitting. Your clinician will assess current gum condition.

Risks, Side Effects, and Limitations

Smoking-Specific Risks During Aligner Treatment

Tray staining and odour: Smoking with aligners in will cause visible yellowing/browning and persistent smell. Even with trays removed, some residue may transfer from teeth to trays.
Attachment staining: The composite material used for attachments can absorb tar and nicotine, becoming visibly discoloured. This staining may persist even after the attachments are eventually removed.
Tooth staining: Smoking stains teeth themselves, which may be particularly noticeable once aligners are removed at the end of treatment — especially if the areas under attachments (protected during treatment) are a different shade.
Increased gum disease risk: Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for periodontitis. Active gum disease during orthodontic treatment can lead to complications including bone loss, which may affect the stability of tooth movements.
Slower biological response: Reduced blood flow from nicotine may theoretically slow the rate at which teeth move in response to aligner forces, though the clinical significance of this during short-term treatment is not fully established.
Reduced wear time: Frequent smoking breaks that involve removing aligners can reduce total daily wear time below the recommended 22 hours, affecting tracking and treatment outcomes.
Dry mouth and decay risk: Reduced saliva production plus the enclosed environment under aligners may increase the risk of tooth decay.

General Aligner Side Effects

Mild discomfort with each new tray set — normal and typically settles within 2-3 days
Temporary speech changes when first wearing aligners
Minor tooth sensitivity during active treatment
Attachment awareness — they can feel rough initially

How Long Treatment May Take

Treatment duration is based on the complexity of your orthodontic needs, not on whether you smoke. However, smoking may indirectly affect timelines:

Case Complexity	Typical Duration	Smoking Consideration
Mild alignment	4-6 months	Manageable — fewer trays to stain; maintain hygiene and wear time
Moderate correction	6-12 months	Good hygiene routine essential; consider reducing smoking frequency
Complex cases	12-18+ months	Extended treatment means longer exposure to smoking risks; gum monitoring crucial

What Can Change the Timeline

Wear time compliance: Frequent aligner removals for smoking can reduce daily wear below 22 hours, slowing treatment
Gum health complications: If smoking-related gum problems develop during treatment, a pause may be needed while your dentist or periodontist provides periodontal care
Tracking issues: Reduced wear time can cause teeth to fall behind the treatment plan, potentially requiring mid-course corrections
Refinements: Most moderate-to-complex cases require at least one round of refinement trays

Costs in the UK

Smoking does not affect the cost of aligner treatment itself — pricing is based on case complexity. However, smokers may face some additional costs to consider:

What Drives Aligner Treatment Costs

Case complexity — mild alignment vs comprehensive bite correction
Number of aligner trays required
Whether refinement rounds are included
Retainer costs (included or separate)
Provider location and clinical expertise
Level of monitoring included

Additional Costs Smokers May Face

Aligner cleaning products (solutions, crystals) — used more frequently to manage staining and odour
Potential teeth whitening after treatment to address smoking-related tooth discolouration
Periodontal (gum) treatment if smoking-related gum disease needs to be managed before or during treatment
More frequent dental hygienist appointments may be recommended

For a transparent breakdown of aligner treatment pricing, you can review our costs and what is included.

How to Keep Results: Retention and Aftercare

Retention Essentials

Fixed retainers: Thin wires bonded behind the front teeth providing continuous retention. Not affected by smoking (they are hidden behind the teeth).
Removable retainers: Custom clear trays worn nightly. Subject to the same staining risks as aligner trays — remove before smoking and clean regularly.
Combination approach: Many clinicians recommend both for maximum long-term stability.

Aftercare Tips for Smokers

Apply the same habits to retainers: Remove before smoking, rinse mouth before reinserting, clean regularly. Stained retainers are just as visible as stained aligners.
Consider professional cleaning: More frequent dental hygienist appointments can help manage the additional plaque and staining that smoking causes.
Monitor gum health: Continue regular dental check-ups. Smoking-related gum disease can develop at any time, and early detection makes treatment more effective.
Teeth whitening: If you want to address tooth staining after treatment, discuss whitening options with your dentist. Some staining can be significantly improved with professional whitening.
Replace retainers promptly: If removable retainers become heavily stained or develop odour that cleaning cannot resolve, discuss replacement with your clinician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke with my aligners in?

It is strongly recommended that you do not. Smoking with aligners in will cause rapid and visible staining of the trays, create persistent odour, and trap tar and nicotine against your teeth and gums. Always remove your aligners before smoking and rinse your mouth before reinserting them.

Can I vape with my aligners in?

It is better to remove them, though vaping is less damaging to trays than cigarette smoking because it does not produce tar. However, vape liquid residue can still build up on trays, sweet flavourings may increase decay risk if trapped under the aligner, and the heat from vapour may potentially affect the plastic. Removing trays before vaping is the safest approach.

Will smoking slow down my treatment?

Not necessarily in a directly measurable way, but there are indirect risks. Frequent aligner removals for smoking breaks can reduce daily wear time below the recommended 22 hours, which may slow tooth movement and cause tracking issues. Additionally, the reduced blood flow associated with nicotine may theoretically affect the biological response to tooth movement, though this is more of a concern for heavy smokers.

How do I stop my aligners from staining?

The most effective prevention is removing your aligners before smoking or consuming staining substances (coffee, tea, red wine, curry). Clean your trays regularly with a soft brush and clear soap or a dedicated aligner cleaning solution. Avoid hot water (which can warp trays). Soaking in retainer cleaning crystals can help remove light staining. Accept that some discolouration may occur — the good news is you change trays every 1-2 weeks.

Will my attachments stain from smoking?

Yes, the composite material used for attachments can absorb tar and nicotine, causing visible discolouration. This staining can be partially cleaned at dental hygienist appointments, and attachments are removed at the end of treatment. However, heavy staining during treatment can make attachments more visible — which somewhat defeats the discreet appearance of clear aligners.

Is aligner treatment worth it if I smoke?

Many smokers successfully complete aligner treatment and are happy with their results. The key is managing the additional challenges — maintaining excellent oral hygiene, removing trays before smoking, cleaning trays diligently, and attending regular monitoring appointments. Some patients find that aligner treatment motivates them to reduce their smoking, which benefits both their treatment and their general health.

Should I quit smoking before starting aligners?

Quitting or reducing smoking before starting treatment would benefit both your oral health and your aligner treatment outcomes. However, it is not a prerequisite — your clinician will assess your current oral health and advise accordingly. If you are planning to quit, starting aligner treatment can be a positive motivator. The NHS offers free quit-smoking support if you are interested.

Can vaping damage my aligner trays?

The heat from vaping could theoretically affect aligner material, though this is less documented than the well-established damage from cigarette smoke. More practically, the propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine in vape liquid can leave a residue on trays that builds up over time. Sweet or coloured e-liquids are more likely to cause issues than unflavoured or plain ones.

Will my teeth be stained when I finish treatment?

If you smoke during treatment, some degree of tooth staining is likely. Interestingly, the areas under attachments may be slightly lighter than the surrounding tooth surface (because the attachment protected that spot). This difference usually resolves after attachment removal and can be further improved with professional teeth whitening if desired.

How many cigarettes a day is "too many" for aligners?

There is no specific threshold — any amount of smoking increases the risks discussed in this article. The practical concern is cumulative removal time: if each cigarette requires 10-15 minutes with aligners out (including rinse/brush time), a pack-a-day habit could consume hours of potential wear time. Focus on minimising removals and maintaining at least 22 hours of daily wear.

📚 References and Further Reading

Johnson GK, Slach NA. — Impact of tobacco use on periodontal status, Journal of Dental Education (2001)
Alanazi H, et al. — Effect of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes on periodontal health, Journal of Clinical Periodontology (2022)
Agarwal A, et al. — Effect of smoking on orthodontic treatment, National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery (2014)
NHS — Better Health: Quit Smoking
British Orthodontic Society — Patient Information
GDC — Guidance on Advertising

Thinking About Clear Aligners? Let Us Answer Your Questions

Book an assessment and we will examine your teeth, check your gum health, and give you honest advice about what to expect during treatment — including how to manage lifestyle factors like smoking. No obligation to proceed.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute dental, medical, or smoking cessation advice. The effects of smoking and vaping on oral health and orthodontic treatment vary by individual. Treatment suitability, timelines, and costs depend on your specific clinical situation and can only be determined through an in-person assessment by a GDC-registered dental professional. If you want help to quit smoking, contact the NHS Smokefree helpline on 0300 123 1044.