The Do’s and Don’ts of Eating with Invisalign
We hear a lot of questions about Invisalign and what you can and can’t do with it, and that’s understandable!
Braces can be restrictive, so many people assume that the same is true for clear aligners – but fortunately, that’s not the case.
So, we want to share some tips on the dos and do-nots of eating with Invisalign.
Plus, there’s one question that we hear more often than almost any other – it’s at the end of this article, but see if you can guess what it is!
A huge benefit of Invisalign clear aligners is that they are removable, unlike conventional braces.
This is great news as it means there are fewer restrictions on what you can eat.
However, this does not mean that you are allowed to eat and drink as you wish. There are still some guidelines to follow:
- DO – Remove your Invisalign trays before you eat, as food could damage the trays. A damaged tray may not work correctly and could cause more harm than good to your teeth.
- DON’T – Drink anything other than water. Though other fluids may not harm your tray or teeth directly, they can still cause stains, decay, and discoloration.
- DO – Brush your teeth after having a snack, to ensure that no debris remains behind.
- DON’T – Snack too often. Invisalign may be unnoticeable to others, but it is a constant presence in your mouth. For this reason, you need to be more thoughtful about your normal everyday activities such as little snacks, which some people consume absentmindedly. These could damage your aligners if you’re not careful.
- DO – Be prepared to brush more frequently. Your teeth and the aligners will be spending a lot of time together – around 22 hours per day, to be precise. For this reason, they both need to be as clean as possible. Some people find it convenient to keep a travel brush with them.
- DO – Soak your trays for around 30 minutes each day. Doing this while eating dinner is ideal for most people.
- DO – Try to be observant of how long you wear your trays. If you are someone who has frequent snacks or drinks, be aware of the time spent without your trays. Try not to go under the allotted minimum of 20 hours.
And, as promised, here’s one of the most frequently asked questions regarding Invisalign:
Can I Chew Gum with Invisalign?
No! Gum is a definite no-no when you’re wearing Invisalign. Gum can stick to your aligners and damage them because of the constant chewing motion.
Did you guess the question correctly?
Unlike traditional braces, your Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can eat almost whatever foods you want without worrying – as long as they’re removed first, and you practice proper oral hygiene.
By following these simple guidelines (and any other recommendations set forth by your dentist), you can end up with a beautifully aligned smile in as little as 6-12 months.
Or contact us by:
- Phone: 781-935-8810
- Email: reception@dentalhealthcareofwoburn.com
Dental Health Care of Woburn is located in Woburn, MA, and is proud to help patients from Woburn, Winchester, Burlington, Stoneham, Reading, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Lexington, Wakefield, and surrounding communities.
