You’ve just started your Invisalign® treatment, and you’re wondering if you can grab a quick snack without removing those clear aligners. Maybe you’re at work and don’t want the hassle of taking them out for lunch, or you’re worried about losing them during meals.
You should never eat with your Invisalign® aligners in your mouth. Eating while wearing them can damage the trays, trap food particles against your teeth, and slow down your treatment progress.
Why You Should Remove Invisalign® Before Eating
Food particles easily get trapped between your aligners and teeth when you eat with them in. This creates a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum problems. Your saliva can’t reach these trapped particles to wash them away naturally.
The pressure from chewing also puts stress on your aligners that they weren’t designed to handle. Even soft foods can cause small cracks or chips in the plastic material. These damaged areas become weak spots that can lead to complete breakage.
Hot foods and beverages pose another serious risk to your aligners. The heat can warp the carefully crafted plastic, changing the shape that was specifically designed to move your teeth. Once warped, your aligners won’t fit properly and can’t do their job effectively.
What You Can Safely Drink with Aligners In
Cold or room-temperature water is the only beverage you can safely drink while wearing your aligners. Water won’t stain the clear plastic or create harmful bacteria buildup in your mouth.
Coffee, tea, and other coloured beverages can stain your aligners, making them visible and defeating the purpose of clear treatment. Even worse, these drinks often contain acids that can get trapped against your teeth and cause enamel damage.
Sugary drinks create an especially dangerous situation when consumed with aligners in place. The sugar gets trapped between the plastic and your teeth, feeding harmful bacteria for hours instead of being naturally washed away by saliva.
Proper Steps When Eating with Invisalign®
Before Your Meal
Remove your aligners carefully and place them immediately in your protective case. Never wrap them in napkins or leave them on tables where they can get lost or damaged.
Keep your case in a safe spot away from pets and children. Dogs especially love to chew on aligners, and replacement costs can add up quickly. Choose a clean, secure location that you can remember.
After Your Meal
Brush your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in. Food particles left on your teeth get trapped against them once you replace the aligners, potentially causing decay.
Clean your aligners gently with a soft toothbrush and cool water to remove any bacteria or residue. You can also follow proper Invisalign® cleaning techniques to maintain hygiene. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic, and harsh chemicals that might damage the material.
Put your aligners back in within 30 minutes of removing them. The longer you leave them out, the more your teeth can shift back toward their original positions, slowing your progress.
Foods That Can Damage Your Aligners
Hard and crunchy foods like chips, nuts, and raw carrots create the most risk for cracking your aligners. The force needed to bite through these foods can exceed what the plastic material can handle safely.
Sticky candy and chewy substances like gum can pull on your aligners and distort their shape. Even if they don’t break immediately, the constant tugging can create stress points that lead to future problems.
Hot soups, coffee, and heated meals can soften and warp your aligners within minutes. The temperature doesn’t need to be extremely hot—even warm foods can cause enough distortion to affect the fit and effectiveness of your treatment.
How Eating Affects Your Treatment Success
Your aligners need to stay in your mouth for 22 hours each day to work effectively. This gives you about 2 hours total for meals and cleaning, so you need to plan your eating schedule accordingly.
Extended removal times allow your teeth to shift back toward their original positions. Even a few extra hours without your aligners can set back your progress and extend your overall treatment time.
Stay on Track with Invisalign®
Understanding how Invisalign® works can help you maintain proper eating habits throughout your treatment. As Invisalign® providers, our team at Shawnessy Dental Centre can help you stay on track with your Invisalign® treatment and address any concerns about your eating routine. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor your progress and catch any issues before they become bigger problems.
Ready to start your Invisalign® journey or have questions about your current treatment? Contact Shawnessy Dental Centre today to schedule your consultation and learn how our experienced team can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
