How to Eat With Invisalign

With traditional metal braces, patients have to avoid certain sticky or hard foods that can become lodged in and around the braces' wires and brackets, damaging the orthodontic appliance and making oral hygiene difficult. One of the most impactful benefits of correcting orthodontic issues with Invisalign, instead of traditional braces, is that you can continue eating and enjoying all of your favorite foods throughout treatment.  

While there are no dietary restrictions during Invisalign treatment, our East Bay dentist recommends that patients follow these instructions and tips to safeguard their oral health and ensure a positive treatment experience and a successful treatment outcome with Invisalign in Clayton.  

How to Eat and Drink and With Invisalign

Drinking With Invisalign

While wearing Invisalign aligners, patients should only consume cold water.

It is important to note that Invisalign aligner trays are made of plastic. While this plastic is sturdy, hot beverages can melt or soften the plastic. This can cause the trays to lose their shape and rigidity which will negatively impact treatments.  

Acid and sugar can get stuck inside the aligner trays if you drink cold beverages other than water while wearing your Invisalign trays. This exposes the teeth to excessive acidity and bacteria which can cause tooth decay and cavities.

Additionally, highly pigmented beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, or dark-colored sodas can stain the plastic aligner trays.  

Eating With Invisalign

Patients should remove their aligner trays during mealtimes to prevent staining and to help keep them clean. After a meal is finished, brush and floss your teeth to ensure no food particles are stuck in the teeth to safeguard your oral health. If you cannot brush and floss, be sure to rinse out your mouth thoroughly with water.  

Leaving Your Aligners in Place

If you keep your Invisalign aligners in place while eating and drinking, be sure to remove and rinse them (and your teeth) after the meal. Be sure to brush your teeth as soon as you can.  

Remember, leaving your aligners in when consuming highly pigmented beverages or foods (chocolate, curry, or Cheetos) can result in them becoming discolored.  

4 Tips for Eating and Drinking with Invisalign

1. Plan Your Mealtimes

For the best treatment results, patients must wear their aligner trays for 20 to 22 every day. Plan your mealtimes and eat efficiently to ensure you don't leave your aligners off for too long.  

2. Use Your Invisalign Case

Invisalign aligners are discreet because they are clear and hard to see. When you remove them for meals, always use your Invisalign case to be sure you don't accidentally throw them away or leave them behind.  

3. Don't Chew Gum

The repeated pressure, stickiness of the gum, and constant chewing motion will cause your aligners to rub on your soft tissues, teeth, and against each other. This can harm your aligners and make them uncomfortable to wear.  

4. Pack a Toothbrush, Toothpaste, and Floss

During Invisalign treatment, you should clean your teeth after every meal because the aligner trays prevent your saliva from rinsing your teeth throughout the day.  

Invisalign Treatment with Our Dentist in Clayton

At Austin K. Brown DDS, we provide comprehensive care to patients in the Clayton and East Bay areas, including treatment with Invisalign. If your teeth are crowded, crooked, or creating problems with your bite (malocclusion), we encourage you to consider addressing these issues with Invisalign. Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign not only improves the aesthetic appearance of your smile but your comfort and oral health.  

To learn more about straightening your teeth and correcting your bite problems with Invisalign, we welcome you to contact our office to request an orthodontic consultation with our dentist today.

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