If you’re looking to get your teeth straightened quickly and efficiently, Invisalign may be the right option for you. You may have some questions about what you can eat with your aligners, but we hope that this information will be useful in convincing you of the benefits of Invisalign.
Being told you have to miss out on your favourite foods during treatment might not sound great, but it’s for a good cause. Your dentist is only trying to help you by avoiding any additional complications that could drag out your treatment. Wearing retainers may seem daunting, but compared to traditional braces, they offer more advantages.
Traditional metal braces vs Invisalign
As you probably know, one of the most significant distinctions between Invisalign and braces is that your clear aligners are almost indiscernible. Even so, there’s still one element of this appliance worth focusing on: they’re removable. When patients wear Invisalign aligners, they can take them off whenever necessary. This is incredibly useful at mealtimes. Although we would typically list all the foods and drinks you need to avoid during treatment, we can safely say that won’t be much of a concern with your aligners.
With braces, some foods that are hard or crunchy can break down into smaller pieces that get stuck between your brackets and teeth, prying the pieces away and breaking braces. This doesn’t happen with Invisalign because the entire aligner tray isn’t as susceptible to these problems. You can remove Invisalign and eat whatever you want without having to worry about damaging them. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t go too long without wearing your aligners. Dentists typically recommend wearing them for 20 to 22 hours every day of treatment.
In some instances, your dentist might recommend that you chew with your aligner trays still on. However, it is generally better to take them off and eat normally. There are some foods that you should avoid while wearing aligners, especially when you first get them: 
- Ice cream
- Thick rolls or bread
- Thicker cuts of meats
- Spicy foods
- Citrus foods
- Crunchy foods
To avoid extending the initial discomfort, it is best to wait for a while before you eat food that is too sticky, chewy, or acidic.
Eating with Invisalign – What to avoid?
You can eat whatever you want during your Invisalign treatment, but we still recommend a few eating habits for the first few days. Why? Because most patients feel tenderness and mild discomfort at the start of treatment–which is perfectly natural. As your teeth begin to experience forces they haven’t felt before from the clear aligner trays, some discomfort is bound to occur.
The discomfort should gradually improve after a few days, and OTC painkillers can assist with the sensation. However, if you still feel severe sensations or if they seem to be intensifying even after five days have passed, please reach out to your dentist immediately.
Some foods are more difficult to chew when you first start wearing Invisalign, and others might get stuck in your teeth and irritate your gums.
What are some foods and drinks I can take after wearing Invisalign aligners?
There are plenty of options for soft foods to eat while wearing aligner trays. A few examples include soft potatoes, flavoured yoghurt, soups, eggs, light oatmeal, vegetables, moist desserts, pasta and water. After a couple of days, your teeth will adjust, and the discomfort will subside. You’ll be able to continue eating all your other favourite foods and beverages while still wearing the aligners.
What is the best way to clean Invisalign?
The easiest way to clean your Invisalign trays is with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap. You could also use effervescent tablets, which are widely available. Finally, you could buy specialised products from the manufacturer such as “cleaning crystals” etc.
It’s important to keep up with brushing your teeth and using dental floss regularly. To make sure your aligners and teeth are extra clean, follow these steps:
- Rinse with water to remove food debris.
- Brush the trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap to kill bacteria.
- Rinse away the soap with water
- Put your aligners back in place
Although it’s liberating to know that you can eat whatever you want while wearing Invisalign, you mustn’t neglect cleaning your aligners.
Hygiene is a crucial element in how effective your dental treatment will be. Maintaining regular dental hygiene routines can help you avoid lengthening the amount of time needed for your treatment, but cleaning your Invisalign aligners may not always be as straightforward as regularly brushing your teeth. Fortunately, keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is significantly easier than brushing your teeth with braces would be.
What not to do while wearing Invisalign?
Don’t get them dirty
Avoid foods that are dark or have high amounts of pigment that can stain your aligners and make them visible because of residue. To prevent staining the aligners, brush and floss thoroughly after eating.
Don’t scratch them
Your aligners will last the entire treatment if you take good care of them. The aligners can easily get scratched or broken if not handled with extra care, so be very mindful when handling them.
Don’t play with them
The first few days after getting Invisalign are tough as you adjust to wearing them, but it’s nothing compared to how well they work.
Once you get used to the feeling of wearing aligners, most people hardly even notice them anymore. Avoid examining the edges of your aligners with your tongue or hand during that initial period, or else they may get scratched and sore.
Don’t leave them in
Prior to meals, and whenever you drink anything other than water, remove your aligners and store them in their case. If you don’t, eating or drinking could damage the aligners, which would then delay treatment and be costly.
Do you have more questions related to Invisalign? Our dental professionals at My Local Dentists will help you get the smile of your dreams. Invisalign is not only for adults; it’s also perfect for teenagers. Give us a call to set up an appointment and figure out which options are best for you based on your needs and treatment goals. We’re excited to join you in your journey to your dream smile!
References
Invisible Aligner for Teeth
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/invisible-orthodontic-aligners
How to clean Invisalign: Do’s Don’ts and Best Practices
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-invisalign#best-cleaning-practices