Eating and Drinking with Invisalign Aligners

Eating and drinking tips with Invisalign aligners by Beyond Dentistry Laser Center in Brooklyn, NY

If you have had traditional braces, you know they restrict your dietary options. Because they have brackets and wires, foods can get stuck in the braces or even break them, so people with braces must take care with what they eat. Invisalign aligners do not require the same restraint. Because the aligners are removable and you take them out when you eat, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods without worrying about your Invisalign.

However, this comes with a caveat. Your ability to eat and drink whatever you want hinges on your diligence in removing your aligner trays. The thing that makes Invisalign so appealing is that the aligners are practically undetectable. That’s because they’re made of a clear resin that’s virtually invisible. If you eat and drink with your aligners in, you can cause that resin to stain or become discolored. Some foods can even damage your aligners, causing them to fit incorrectly and extending the time you’ll need to wear them. It’s smart to refrain from ever eating with Invisalign aligners in, but if you are going to sneak a sip or snack, make sure it’s not from any of the following types of food and drinks.

Drinks that may stain: Optimally, you’ll drink only water when you’re wearing Invisalign. If you drink staining liquids like coffee, red wine, tea, or soft drinks, you can stain both your trays and your teeth. However, those are not the only liquids that can stain your aligners. Tomato based sauces, curry, and anything acidic can also cause staining, as can berries.
Beverages at temperatures that could damage your aligners: It does not require very much heat to warp an aligner. In fact, a cup of hot tea can warp your trays significantly enough to add time to your treatment. However, cold drinks, like slushies, frappucinos, and iced drinks can also damage your aligners. Sticking to room temperature water is your safest course of action.
Anything sticky or chewy: Sticky foods are exceptionally difficult to clean off of teeth, much less aligner trays. Even if you’ve taken your aligners out, it’s best to limit your sticky, chewy foods, because any trace that remains on your teeth when you put your trays back in can promote tooth decay.
Food that’s crunchy or hard: If you eat anything when wearing aligners, you risk damaging the trays. Crunchy or hard foods are particularly risky, so your dentist may want you to avoid them entirely if you have attachments that anchor your aligners.

Here’s another important tip for you. Obviously, anytime you’ve ever experienced dentists and dental services, you’ve been told the importance of brushing and flossing. Now that you’re wearing Invisalign aligners, these practices are more vitally important than ever. You should always brush and floss before you put your trays back into your mouth, because if you don’t bacteria can become trapped between your teeth and the aligners, allowing plaque and bacteria to grow and thrive.

If you’re interested in getting Invisalign, come to Beyond Dentistry Laser Center, where we provide exceptional, compassionate, patient-centered care. We offer laser dental implants, which result in less scarring, swelling, and pain than traditional implants, as well as a snugger fit. Best of all, with our advanced technology, we can get you dental implants in one hour. Led by Dr. Simon Kappel, who has provided the residents of Brooklyn, NY with excellent dental care since 1976, we offer a variety of services, from general dentistry to specialized care, to protect your oral health. A one-hour dental implant center and so much more, we treat each patient on an individualized basis, helping them to learn healthy oral habits because we know that a healthy mouth is vital for a healthy body. To learn more or make an appointment, give us a call or contact us through our website.