So, you’re eager to start your journey with Invisalign aligners, but you’re not sure about what you can eat with your aligners? We hope you’ll find this information useful and get convinced about what makes Invisalign a great option for patients looking to get their teeth straightened as efficiently as possible.
First of all, you should keep in mind that all orthodontists are very attentive to your dietary restrictions during your treatment to avoid any additional complications or orthodontic emergencies that can delay your treatment.
Trust us; we don’t want you just to stop eating everything you like. But it’s a matter of preserving your appliances as much as possible. Fortunately, you don’t have the same restrictions as patients wearing braces. Let’s see how these appliances differ from each other.
Braces vs Invisalign
If you’re here, you might already know that Invisalign clear aligners can help you achieve the same amazing results with a few additional benefits that make the entire experience much more enjoyable.
- One of the main differences is that, unlike the traditional metal braces that use stainless steel, your Invisalign clear aligner trays are almost invisible to the naked eye thanks to the BPA-free plastic material used.
- Some patients also report achieving results much faster than they would have under similar circ*mstances with conventional braces, but this highly depends on each person’s circ*mstances.
- One more topic we’ll go over later in this discussion is that it’s much easier to maintain good oral hygiene with clear aligner trays because they’re removable. You can take off your aligners and brush your teeth thoroughly without the need to maneuver around metal brackets and wires. Besides, you can floss your teeth as you should without any obstacles.
But what we really want to focus on right now is that your Invisalign aligners are removable, which is a huge difference from the other types of orthodontic appliances at your disposal. This feature is incredibly handy when you go to eat. While we would normally go on and on about all the foods and drinks you have to avoid during your treatment, we can safely say you won’t have to pay that much attention to all the limitations with your aligners. Let’s take a closer look at what you can eat with aligners on.
Eating With Invisalign
Usually, we would warn you about eating some hard and crunchy foods because they can break down into smaller pieces that get caught between your brackets and teeth, leveraging away the pieces and breaking your braces. This doesn’t happen with Invisalign, as the entire aligner tray isn’t susceptible to the same problems.
You can just take off your trays and eat away your favorite foods. Still, keep in mind that you shouldn’t keep your aligners off for too long. The official Invisalign FAQ recommends you use your aligners anywhere between 20 to 22 hours every day of your treatment.
What could you eat with Invisalign? Just remember to take off your aligner trays before every meal and store them in their case to avoid misplacing them. Here are a few pics you can give a try:
- Pancakes. We love pancakes here at Onshore Orthodontics. We particularly love the blueberry variation, but this base mix should get you covered for you to go crazy with the toppings. Maple syrup, chocolate fudge, fresh fruit, and more. Just mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, and 3/4 cup of milk to get that winner breakfast started. You can scale up this mix, as it should yield 4 fluffy pancakes.
- Mac & Cheese. Another instant classic that can be elevated with a simple trick. Instead of doing the store-bought version, try preparing a bechamel sauce as a base to melt your favorite cheese mix. Start with a simple ratio 1:1 of fat to flour to make a simple roux. Our recommendation is to melt butter over low heat and add the flour until it makes a paste that starts to smell a bit like cookies. Then add whole milk. Try doing 2 tablespoons each of butter and all-purpose flour and 1 cup of whole milk, stirring constantly until it starts to bubble up. Then, add your shredded cheese. We love the mix of cheddar and Monterrey jack, but please avoid the pre-shredded version. once the cheese is melted, add the cooked pasta, and you have your mac and cheese.
What Food Can I Eat on the First Day of Invisalign?
What can you eat with Invisalign on those first few days? Even though you’ll be able to eat almost anything you want during your treatment, you should still follow a few recommendations regarding what you should eat for the first few days of your treatment.
Why do we say this? Well, most patients report feeling tenderness and mild pain for the first few days of their treatment. This feeling is completely natural as your teeth begin to experience constant forces they haven’t felt before. As the clear aligner trays push your teeth around, you might feel some pain.
Don’t worry, however. Such a sensation should abate after a few days. You can even take some over-the-counter painkillers to lessen the pain. Please note that if you feel that sensation remains or even increases after five or more days, you should contact your orthodontist for a professional review of your dental structures.
As you experience these sensations, you might want to avoid some foods that are difficult to chew or might lodge between your teeth and hurt your gums.
- Ice cream.
- Thick rolls or bread.
- Thicker cuts of meats.
- Spicy foods.
- Citrus foods.
In short, anything too sticky, chewy, or acidic is best left for later to avoid making any initial discomfort worse.
What Are Some Foods and Drinks I Can Eat After Getting Invisalign?
- Mashed potatoes.
- Yogurt.
- Soups.
- Scrambled eggs.
- Oatmeal.
- Grains.
- Seafood.
- Soft fruits.
- Soft cheeses.
- Cooked or soft vegetables.
- Moist desserts.
- Pasta.
- Water.
- Apple Juice.
You can have almost anything soft and easy to chew. After a couple of days, the discomfort and sensitivity will subside, and you can continue to enjoy all other foods and beverages of your preference even while wearing your aligner trays.
Can You Eat With Invisalign On?
Some patients like to leave their aligners on. We would highly suggest you take them off to eat. Please remember to carry your aligners’ case with you at all times, but especially during mealtimes, to avoid misplacing the trays and having to scramble for a new set or suffering the negative effects of an orthodontic emergency.
What Is the Best Way to Clean Invisalign?
The best way to clean your Invisalign trays is with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap. This is perhaps the most widely available method, as you may also rely on the use of specialized effervescent tablets. Likewise, you could obtain proprietary products sold by clear aligner manufacturers, such as “cleaning crystals” or “cleaning solutions.”
Remember to continue brushing your teeth and using dental floss. You should strengthen your routine with the following steps to ensure your aligners and teeth are as clean as possible:
- Start by rinsing your aligners with water and remove any food debris.
- Brush the aligner trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap to remove harmful bacteria.
- Rinse with water to wash away the soap.
- Put your aligners back on.
It’s great news to know that you can eat almost anything you want while wearing Invisalign. However, you should still pay close attention to how you clean your Invisalign aligners.
You may have heard other dental health specialists pay a lot of attention to your dental hygiene routines, and we wholeheartedly agree with them!
Hygiene is a determining factor in your treatment’s efficiency. It can help you avoid delaying your treatment length, but cleaning your dental aligners may not always be as intuitive as regularly brushing your teeth. Fortunately, keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is much easier than brushing your teeth with braces.
The Best Provider of Invisalign Yulee Has to Offer
The doctors at Onshore Orthodontics know exactly what you’ll need to get the smile of your dreams. It’s not just adults who can find their perfect smiles here. Invisalign is also right for teenagers.
Get in touch with our office to set an appointment and review what options best fit your needs and treatment goals. We’re thrilled to have you here with us!
