If you've had braces experience before, you know there's an extensive list of foods to avoid. Say goodbye to those days! With Invisalign® clear and removable aligners, your diet is no longer restricted. But you may be wondering: Can you eat with Invisalign? Is there anything you should avoid? This quick blog will go over the five simple rules for eating and drinking with Invisalign.
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Always remove Invisalign before eating. Yes, your aligners are strong and durable. But they shouldn’t take the strain of chewing. Remove your aligners before eating anything. Otherwise, you risk damaging your aligners and disrupting your treatment schedule! The most significant advantage of Invisalign over traditional metal braces is that they are removable. You can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, but be sure to remove the aligners first!
Don't Chew Gum With Invisalign: Wondering if you can chew gum with Invisalign? The short answer: No. As mentioned earlier, you want to remove your Invisalign before you eat. This also includes chewing gum with the aligners in place. The constant chewing motion and stickiness of the gum will cause your aligners to rub against your teeth and each other.
Water only! No, this doesn’t mean you can only drink water during Invisalign treatment (although the health benefits are great)! But: Water should be the only beverage you consume with the Invisalign in place. Why? Your Invisalign aligners are custom-made to be transparent and discreet. Colored beverages such as coffee or wine compromise the integrity of your aligners. This will lead to discoloration of your aligners and make your teeth look stained. And more: Sugary beverages can cause buildup on your teeth, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Plan your meals: An added benefit for Invisalign users is improved overall health. Since there are no dietary restrictions on hard foods, such as raw vegetables and fruits, you can choose to eat whatever you want. You may be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with planning my meals? Remember: Compliance is vital with Invisalign. It typically needs to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, so planning your meals in advance will help minimize the time Invisalign is out of your mouth. Not only will you get a beautiful smile at the end, but you will also be able to eat healthier and increase your overall well-being!
Clean your teeth after every meal: Brushing and flossing after every meal will help keep your Invisalign aligners in perfect condition! Bacteria and plaque build up on teeth quickly after a meal, so getting rid of them immediately will keep your teeth and aligners clean.
