Straighten Your Teeth Without Food Restrictions
Patients who straighten their teeth with traditional metal braces typically have to avoid certain foods. Otherwise, they risk getting food stuck in their braces and damaging the brackets. Thankfully, patients have an alternative option that gives them food freedom while still straightening their smiles.
With Invisalign, you don’t have to be careful about what you eat, as long as you remove your aligners during mealtimes. You’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods and drinks while achieving the smile of your dreams.
Aligner Habits to Consider
While Invisalign allows you to eat your favorite foods, taking care of your aligners when you eat is important. There are a few precautions you should consider to ensure your aligners stay protected and your oral health intact.
Make sure you’re wearing your clear aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours each day. This ensures your treatment stays on track. Only remove your aligners for eating. Planning out your meals in advance can help you make sure you’re properly caring for them.
Don’t eat anything with your clear aligners in, as this can cause damage. You should always remove them before eating or drinking to prevent possible breakage and staining. The only beverage you can consume with your aligners is cold water.
Always thoroughly brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in. This helps to avoid staining and food particles from getting stuck in your aligners. Staining doesn’t harm your treatment, but your clear aligners will no longer appear practically invisible.
Additional Invisalign Tips
While removing your aligners before eating is the most important habit, there are still some additional tips you may want to follow to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment. These foods and habits can negatively impact your treatment, appearance, and health:
- Gum – Chewing gum isn’t great for your oral health. Many chewing gums contain a high amount of sugar and are similar to candy. This can lead to unwanted cavities and tooth decay. Gums also leave a sticky residue behind that can alter your bite. Some sugarless chewing gums with xylitol as an ingredient can be good for your teeth, though.
- Teeth Stainers – There are certain food and beverages that are notorious for staining your teeth. These include coffee, red wine, soda, and berries. If you don’t brush your teeth after consuming foods and beverages such as these, your aligners can become stained.
- Hard or Chewy Foods – Hard foods can cause cracking or irritate the soft tissues inside your teeth and chewy foods can get stuck on your teeth, causing cavities.
- Carbonated Beverages – Sugary drinks are known to lead to tooth decay. Even sugar-free sodas contain high levels of acid that can damage your enamel.
- Tobacco Use – Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause the teeth to rot in addition to having a negative impact on your overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which foods should I avoid with Invisalign?
One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign clear aligners is that they’re removable. This allows you to take them out before meals so you can eat without restrictions. Unlike traditional braces, you won’t have to avoid certain foods or deal with the hassle of getting food stuck in metal wires.
Just be sure to always remove your aligners before eating. Always brush and floss your teeth before placing your aligners back in so food debris doesn’t get trapped in them.
How long can I remove my aligners for a meal?
As long as you’re wearing your aligners for at least 20 hours each day, it doesn’t matter how long you remove them for any particular meal. If you plan on having a longer meal, such as going out to a restaurant, you shouldn’t have any issues – just make sure to plan your schedule for the rest of the day accordingly.
For example, if you know you’ll be going out to dinner later, try to keep your aligners in as much as possible during the day. This will allow you to relax and enjoy the meal without rushing.
Can you drink alcohol while wearing Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink alcohol as long as you remove your Invisalign aligners when you drink. You have to be especially careful to clean your teeth after drinking alcohol because sticky, sugary, and dark beverages can stain your teeth as well as your aligners.
Keep in mind that you need to wear your clear aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day. This means that you’ll want to limit how long you’re drinking so you won’t impact your treatment plan.
Can you drink coffee while wearing Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink coffee while wearing Invisalign treatment if you remove your aligners. Drinking coffee while wearing your aligners can damage them, as hot beverages can cause warping. You’ll also have to make sure you clean your teeth before putting your aligners back in, as coffee can cause staining on your teeth and your aligners.
Contact Us for Invisalign Advice
If you have questions about the foods you can eat or Invisalign care during your treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. We’ll be happy to address your concerns about your Invisalign treatment.
To contact our Coral Springs office, call (954)-603-3508. You can also fill out our simple online contact form, and a knowledgeable member of our team will be with you right away.