Invisalign Patients: Dos and Don’ts of Eating

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign braces give you the freedom to eat whatever you want, whenever you want. There are no diet restrictions thanks to the removable aligners. However, there are a few eating and drinking guidelines that are important to follow so your daily diet habits and beverage preferences don’t interfere with your orthodontic treatment.

Consider Snacks Carefully

If you enjoy grazing throughout the day rather than sitting down to large meals, this activity may need some adjustment. Invisalign must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day to be effective. Taking the aligners out every time you want to have a little something will be a pain, and it will eat into your wear time.

Many Invisalign wearers happily discover that they lose a few pounds while pursuing this orthodontic treatment – when you think twice about a snack and whether it’s worth it or whether you really want it, you’ll make more thoughtful choices.

Kick Your Coffee Habit

Do you have more than a morning coffee? Do you sip all morning, cup after cup, to keep yourself going? If you’ve ever wanted to eliminate this habit, wearing Invisalign gives you the opportunity to do so. Water is the only beverage it’s OK to drink while wearing Invisalign. Coffee will quickly stain your aligners and then that whole no-one-can-see-your-braces perk will be ruined.

Take Your Aligners Out When You Eat

It should seem like common sense, but you must remove your invisible aligners before you eat anything. The chewing motion could break the aligners, foods will stain the material, and it wouldn’t be easy to eat with the aligners in anyway.

Don’t be tempted to just sneak a bite of something with Invisalign in place. Even if your aligners remain unblemished, food particles can find their way in between the aligners and your tooth enamel – leave those pieces there for any length of time and decay will begin to settle in and cause cavities.

Brush After Eating

It’s important to plan your days accordingly when you wear Invisalign, making time for that morning cup of tea or an evening glass of wine, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus, it’s important to care for your teeth in and around these eating and drinking times. Rinse your aligners when you take them out of your mouth, store them safely, then brush and floss your teeth before putting the tightly fitted aligners back in place. Understandably, brushing thoroughly after every meal when you’re at the office or on the road is difficult, but travel toothbrushes stored in your desk or car or bag will help.

Avoid Gum

Bottom line: You can’t chew gum while you’re wearing Invisalign. It will stick to your aligners and damage them, and the chewing motion will compromise your alignment and the aligners.

Are you a good candidate for Invisalign braces? If you can follow the rules and appreciate the methodology, this might just be the best way for you to get the straight smile you’ve always wanted. Make an appointment Dr. Sina Reangber at LifeTime Smiles to learn more.

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