La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – Invisalign is gaining in popularity as an orthodontic treatment thanks to the advantages it offers patients. In addition to being cosmetically pleasing during treatment, the aligners are removable, meaning you don’t have to avoid certain foods during your treatment. But, there are still things to consider when eating and drinking during Invisalign treatment. Dr. Robert Gire offers some important tips.
- “There are some orthodontists that advise you to keep your aligners on when eating, says Dr. Gire. “Their rationale is that when you use them to function and chew, it helps the aligners set on the teeth more favorably and the teeth will track better during treatment. But for me, the risks outweigh the benefits. I don’t want to risk breaking a tray and delaying their treatment. If a tray is broken or damaged due to eating, it will need to be replaced and it takes time to get new trays. Plus, if it happens too often, it could get quite costly. I tell my patients to remove their aligners before they eat anything.”
- “Don’t drink anything but cold water with your aligners in. Some dental professionals may tell you drinking with your aligners on is ok, but I prefer for my patients to avoid anything but cold water,” says Dr. Gire. “You only wear each aligner set for one or two weeks, but if you drink a lot of coffee, or enjoy a glass of red wine at night, or drink a lot of colas while wearing your aligners, you may notice that they can get discolored quite easily. One of the most popular reasons people choose Invisalign is for its invisibility – don’t damage that by drinking anything that could stain the aligners. Likewise, avoid hot beverages as these can warp the plastic and alter the fit of the aligner in your mouth.”
Your Invisalign aligners are durable and strong, but not indestructible. Chewing can break, crack, or distort the aligners, which will then negatively impact their effectiveness. One of the best advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable so you don’t have to alter your diet in any way. You can still enjoy all of your favorite foods, you just need to take the added step of removing your aligners before you eat.
In addition to the damage that eating and drinking while wearing Invisalign can do to your aligners, you can also damage your oral health. While the aligners fit over teeth, there will still be small spaces where food particles or sugars can slip under the aligner. Once there, the aligner will trap them against your teeth, where they can wreak havoc on your smile. When you eat, your saliva naturally washes away food particles and sugars, but the aligners will prevent the saliva from coming into contact with your teeth. Over time, decay can set in.
In addition to removing the aligners to eat and drink, it is also important to brush and floss before putting them back in. If you put the aligner back in without cleaning your mouth, you will be trapping anything left over against your teeth.
Eating, drinking, and caring for your teeth can be a breeze with Invisalign, as long as you pay close attention to the recommendations of your orthodontist.
To learn more about how orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign can give you the smile of your dreams and improve your oral health, call Gire Orthodontics today at 562-690-1199 (La Habra office) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills office).
FAQs
Invisalign recommends wearing your aligning trays for between 20 and 22 hours a day. This means that you only have time to remove them for eating meals and you may have to limit snacks. Before eating or drinking anything other than water, your Invisalign aligners must be taken off.
Do I have to brush my teeth every time I eat with Invisalign? ›
After eating, brush your teeth if possible to ensure that they are clean and there is no food trapped between your teeth and your aligners. If you are not able to brush, rinse with water before putting your aligners back in.
Why is it so hard to eat with Invisalign? ›
It doesn't matter how small or soft the food may seem, eating while wearing aligners is risky. Food can damage the trays and may require a replacement set. Food and drinks other than water can also stain the thin plastic. Once Invisalign is stained, it's very difficult to remove without damaging them.
Is there anything I can eat with Invisalign in? ›
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.
Can I leave my Invisalign out for 3 hours? ›
You can leave your Invisalign out for a combined total of 3 hours per day. Dentists recommend you wear your Invisalign for around 21 hours a day, so anything more than 3 hours without is risky territory. You can take your Invisalign out for meals and oral hygiene care, but make sure to put it back in afterwards.
Do you have to floss every time you eat with Invisalign? ›
Tip 2: Brush and Floss After Every Meal
In your journey to a more confident smile with Invisalign, it's not only about what you do with your aligners but also how you care for your teeth and gums.
How to plan meals with Invisalign? ›
Eating with Invisalign Clear Aligners: The Complete Guide
- Remove your clear aligners to eat or drink anything but water. ...
- Brush your teeth before putting your Invisalign clear aligners back in. ...
- Schedule your meal times. ...
- Cut back on snacking. ...
- You may want to put your clear aligners in and remove them in private.
Yes, you can drink with a straw while wearing your Invisalign clear aligners, as it will (at least in part) help reduce the contact any sugar or acids. This is because a straw helps the liquid bypass your mouth, or at the very least, reduces the time the liquid is lingering in your mouth.
Why can't you drink with Invisalign? ›
Drinking with Invisalign aligners in your mouth will cause the plastic to stain if you're having things like coffee, red wine or tea. This kind of defeats the purpose of having virtually invisible treatment since your aligners will be noticeable.
How many times a day can I remove Invisalign? ›
Ideally, you should only take your Invisalign out for meals and oral hygiene routines, which typically equates to about 2-4 times per day. Any more than this, and you risk slowing down your treatment progress.
Nights Out With Invisalign Can Be A Success
Remember to take them out when eating and stick to clear liquids that won't stain your aligners. Sipping water throughout the night and cleaning your teeth at regular intervals throughout the night will help keep your mouth fresh, teeth healthy and aligners clean and clear.
Can I swallow pills with Invisalign? ›
Avoid the drama – leave out the aligners til you've taken pills.
Do you take Invisalign out to sleep? ›
Nighttime use of Invisalign aligners
Therefore, it is necessary to wear the aligners during sleep. The manufacturers of Invisalign suggest wearing the braces for 20 to 22 hours each day and only removing them while eating or brushing the teeth. It is not a good idea to remove the aligner trays while sleeping.
Is 20 hours a day enough for Invisalign? ›
Wearing Invisalign for only 20 hours a day is insufficient for optimal results. Consistent wear for at least 22 hours per day is crucial to ensure the aligners exert the necessary pressure to guide the teeth into alignment effectively.
What is the shortest time with Invisalign? ›
The shortest Invisalign treatment time is typically 6 months or less. However, this time frame is frequently connected to mild cases requiring minor tooth movement or single-tooth alignment.
How to get rid of Invisalign Lisp? ›
5 Tips to Reduce Invisalign Lisp
- Slow down and over-articulate words. Enunciating each syllable clearly versus rushing through sentences gives your lips and tongue more time to form sounds correctly.
- Remove aligners when possible. ...
- Practice talking with aligners. ...
- Drink cool water. ...
- Get aligner adjustments.
The first rule of great Invisalign care is to brush them every morning and evening. Not cleaning them every day will form plaque and build up bacteria. Gently clean your aligners twice a day with toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.
Do I have to brush after every meal? ›
Yes, it is! What's important is that you ensure you brush sometime after your last meal and before you go to bed. If you go to sleep without brushing, you're allowing plaque to build up, attack the tooth enamel, irritate the gums and harden on and between your teeth and at the gumline.
Do I have to brush my teeth every time I eat with retainers? ›
Your retainers should be worn at all times. It is only necessary to remove your retainers while brushing your teeth. When you brush your teeth after every meal, brush your retainers with your toothbrush and toothpaste.
La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – Invisalign is gaining in popularity as an orthodontic treatment thanks to the advantages it offers patients. In addition to being cosmetically pleasing during treatment, the aligners are removable, meaning you don’t have to avoid certain foods during your treatment. But, there are still things to consider when eating and drinking during Invisalign treatment. Dr. Robert Gire offers some important tips.