Going through Invisalign treatment means making small adjustments to your daily routine, including how you eat and drink. While these clear aligners offer the flexibility to remove them before meals, there are important guidelines to follow to ensure the best results. Understanding what to do and what to avoid can help keep your aligners clean, protect your teeth, and prevent delays in your treatment.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
No, you should never eat while wearing Invisalign aligners. The trays are made of thin plastic, which can crack or warp if exposed to chewing forces. Food particles can also get trapped between your teeth and aligners, leading to bacteria buildup and bad breath. Always remove your aligners before eating, no matter how soft the food may seem.
Drinking with Invisalign
The only safe beverage to drink while wearing Invisalign is plain water. Other drinks, especially coffee, tea, soda, and wine, can stain your aligners and your teeth. Hot drinks can also warp the plastic, making them ineffective. If you want to enjoy other beverages, remove your aligners first and rinse your mouth before putting them back in.
How to Eat with Invisalign: Best Practices
- Always Remove Your Aligners Before Eating Eating with Invisalign can damage the trays and trap food against your teeth, increasing the risk of cavities. Always take them out and store them in their case while eating.
- Brush and Floss After Every Meal Food particles left on your teeth can get trapped under your aligners, leading to plaque buildup and bad breath. If brushing isn’t possible, rinse your mouth with water before putting your aligners back in.
- Keep Your Aligners in Their Case Never wrap your aligners in a napkin or leave them on the table. They are clear and easy to misplace. Always use their case to avoid losing or accidentally throwing them away.
Foods to Eat with Invisalign
Since you remove Invisalign before eating, there are no food restrictions like with braces. However, softer foods can be helpful when switching to a new set of trays, as your teeth may feel slightly sore. Some good options include:
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Smoothies
- Soft fruits like bananas and berries
Foods and Habits to Avoid
Even though you can eat anything after removing your aligners, some habits can make your Invisalign treatment harder than necessary:
- Chewing gum: Gum can stick to your aligners if you forget to remove them, making cleanup difficult.
- Frequent snacking: Since you need to wear Invisalign for at least 22 hours a day, constant snacking can make it harder to meet your wear time requirement.
- Skipping oral hygiene: Failing to brush or rinse before reinserting your aligners can increase the risk of cavities and bad breath.
Final Thoughts
Eating with Invisalign is simple as long as you follow the basic rules. Always remove your aligners before eating, brush or rinse your teeth before putting them back in, and keep them in their case when not in use. These small habits will help keep your treatment on track and your teeth healthy.
If you have questions about Invisalign or need an appointment, call (630) 323-5333 to schedule a consultation with our team today!