Starting your Invisalign journey? Then you likely have some questions, and one of the most common queries from new Invisalign wearers is how to manage eating and drinking. Can you leave your aligners in when you eat? How about when you’re drinking? Are there any foods you can’t have while undergoing Invisalign treatment? We’ll answer all these questions and more, so read on to learn everything you need to know about eating and drinking with Invisalign…
Understanding Invisalign Basics
Before we get onto the topic of food and drink, let’s first take a closer look at Invisalign aligners, how they work, and what your treatment path might look like.
How Aligners Work
Your clear Invisalign aligners are precision-engineered to gradually move your teeth by applying consistent pressure. This process is carefully planned out so specific teeth move in a predetermined way, resulting in a perfect, straight smile.
Treatment Schedule
In most cases, for optimal results, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours every day and change your aligners for a new set every 1-2 weeks. It’s important to attend your regular checkups so your orthodontist can monitor your progress and fine-tune your treatment accordingly.
Daily Wear Requirements
Overall success depends on several factors, and understanding how to eat and drink with your Invisalign aligners is just one of them. To achieve the very best results, you need to consistently wear your aligners and understand the right way to insert and remove them. You’ll need to clean your aligners regularly and thoroughly and follow to the letter any other instructions given to you by your orthodontist.
Essential Guidelines for Eating and Drinking with Invisalign
Now let’s focus on food and drink. How do you eat and drink with Invisalign, without jeopardizing your treatment?
The key in most cases is to remove your aligners. While it’s important to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, it’s also vital to remove your aligners while eating, and nearly always when drinking. Of course, we all eat and drink several times a day, so you need to get into a habit with this and remember to reinsert your aligners after mealtimes or after having a drink. Your aligner won’t work if it’s sat on the kitchen table or in your pocket, and if you don’t wear your aligner regularly, you may even undo the progress you’ve made so far.
When to Remove Aligners
Always remove aligners for:
- All meals and snacks
- Hot beverages
- Colored drinks
- Sugary foods
Safe Consumption Practices
Follow these rules:
- Only drink cool water with aligners
- Remove for all other beverages
- Clean before reinserting
- Track removal time
Time Management Tips
Stay on track by:
- Planning mealtimes
- Using timer apps
- Limiting snacking
- Implementing good cleaning routines
How Food and Beverages Impact Aligners
It’s pretty obvious why you can’t eat while wearing your aligners. The aligners will clog up with food, which puts you at risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and it looks unsightly too. But why can’t you drink anything other than cold water?
Staining Risks
Well, for one thing, many drinks are a staining risk. Invisalign is an amazing treatment because it’s virtually invisible and gives you an attractive smile even while wearing it, but it won’t be so beautiful if your aligner is stained pink with red wine or beige with tea or coffee! So be extra careful to avoid anything that is highly colored, including soda.
Temperature Sensitivity
While Invisalign aligners are fairly durable, they’re not indestructible, and they can be affected by high temperatures and dramatic temperature changes. So to best protect your aligners, avoid hot drinks, temperature changes, and exposure to steam.
Damage Prevention
You can further avoid aligner damage by always remembering to remove it while eating and drinking, handling your aligner with care, and storing it correctly during meals. This is also a great time to give your aligner a quick check over to ensure it’s clean and to spot any signs of wear or damage that may need attention.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, proper hygiene is crucial during treatment. We suggest you follow a regular cleaning and maintenance regimen and make it a part of your daily routine.
Daily Cleaning
Establish daily habits:
- Brush after meals
- Floss regularly
- Clean aligners
- Rinse thoroughly
Post-meal Care
After eating:
- Brush teeth thoroughly
- Clean aligners
- Check for debris
- Reinsert properly
Aligner Maintenance
Keep aligners pristine:
- Use proper cleaning methods
- Avoid harsh chemicals
- Store safely
- Replace as directed
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you follow the guidelines given to you by a professional orthodontist, such as Dr. Matthew Durschlag of San Diego Smile Pros, you’re on your way to perfectly straight teeth and a gorgeous smile. If we don’t watch for some of these common mistakes, you could set back your treatment and damage your aligners. Don’t make a costly mistake; learn from others’ experiences and avoid these pitfalls…
Time Management Errors
Don’t leave your aligner out too long; it will slow down your progress and could even reverse it if left out for long periods of time. You should also make a note of how long you’re taking your aligner out for. It may seem like your teeth aren’t moving quickly enough, until you work out that you’re removing it for two hours a day for each of three meals, and another hour each time you have one of your five daily cups of coffee! If you’re a frequent snacker, you may also find that you’re just not getting the recommended 20-22 hours of daily wear in.
Harmful Habits
You’ll massively reduce the risks of aligner damage if you avoid these most harmful of habits:
- Eating with aligners in
- Drinking hot beverages
- Using colored mouthwash
- Improper storage
Cleaning Oversights
Cleaning is incredibly important and can often be overlooked or neglected. Some of the most common mistakes when it comes to cleaning are inadequate brushing, skipping flossing, poor aligner cleaning, and using the wrong cleaning products.
Best Practices for Success
Make your treatment easier with these tips.
Daily Routine Tips
Optimize your schedule:
- Plan regular mealtimes
- Carry cleaning supplies
- Use tracking apps
- Stay organized
Travel Considerations
When on the go:
- Pack cleaning kits
- Bring extra aligners
- Plan ahead
- Be prepared
Social Situations
Navigate social events by:
- Planning ahead
- Communicating needs
- Being prepared
- Staying confident
Conclusion
Success with eating and drinking with Invisalign comes down to following simple rules and staying consistent. With proper care and attention, you can enjoy your favorite foods while achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink coffee with Invisalign in?
No, always remove your aligners for coffee. Hot beverages can warp the plastic, and coffee can stain your aligners.
How long can I leave my aligners out for meals?
Try to limit removal time to 30-45 minutes per meal. Total daily removal time should not exceed 2-4 hours.
What happens if I accidentally eat with aligners in?
Remove them immediately, clean both your teeth and aligners thoroughly, and check for any damage. Contact your orthodontist if you notice any issues.
Can I chew gum with Invisalign?
No, remove aligners for all foods, including gum. Gum can stick to aligners and cause damage.
Is it okay to drink alcohol with Invisalign?
Remove aligners for all beverages except cool water. Remember to clean your teeth before reinserting aligners.
How do I clean my aligners after eating?
Rinse with cool water, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and use approved cleaning solutions. Avoid hot water or harsh chemicals.
San Diego residents can depend on Dr. Durschlag from San Diego Smile Pros to deliver the highest-quality orthodontic treatment. Dr. Matthew Durschlag is a board-certified orthodontist with a wealth of experience and a whole host of happy clients with beautiful smiles. His specialist skills ensure the successful treatment of even the most complex conditions, including all types of orthodontics, Invisalign, clear and metal braces, lingual braces, TADs (temporary anchorage devices), fixing open bites, crowding, overbites, surgical cases, and more!
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