Can You Eat with Invisalign?

When it comes to orthodontics, Invisalign changed the game. It offers patients a much more discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces, and these clear aligners are not only nearly invisible but also removable. This, of course, raises the question: can you eat with them? As a Diamond Apex provider in Invisalign Essex dental patients trust, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know.

One of the main advantages of Invisalign aligners is that they are removable. This allows you to eat and drink without the restrictions often associated with traditional braces. However, the key thing to remember is that you should always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Eating with your aligners in place can cause several issues, and while it can seem like a pain to remove them every time, it’s more than worth it!

Chewing can cause your aligners to crack, warp, or lose their shape. Even a hot drink can cause these issues. Any change to the aligners reduces their effectiveness and can introduce costly delays to your treatment plan. Food and drink can easily stain your aligners, making them more visible – defeating the object of why you chose Invisalign in the first place! Eating with aligners can cause food particles to become trapped between your teeth and the aligners, which is not good for your dental health.

While you should always remove your aligners before eating, there are no dietary restrictions that you need to keep to when you have Invisalign. This is a significant advantage over traditional braces, which often require patients to avoid certain foods. With Invisalign, you can enjoy all your favourite foods! Of course, we recommend that you follow a healthy diet and steer clear of foods that can impact your teeth as much as possible – but that’s the advice we would give anyone!

Along with removing them before you eat or drink anything other than water, we tell our patients to do the following:

• Before reinserting your aligners, it’s essential to brush and floss your teeth to remove any food particles. This helps you to maintain good oral hygiene and prevents tooth decay and staining of the aligners.
• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is not only good for your overall health but also helps keep your mouth clean and free of food debris that could stick to your aligners.
• Since you’ll need to brush after every meal before putting your aligners back in, it’s a good idea to carry a travel toothbrush with you, especially when you’re on the go.
• Don’t forget your Invisalign case! You don’t want to misplace your aligners – and once you have put them down, they can be quite hard to spot!

Invisalign offers patients a flexible and effective way to achieve a straighter smile, but you’ll need to be more mindful at mealtimes. Fortunately, we’re here to provide support and advice at every stage. To find out more about Invisalign and how it could work for you, get in touch today.