Invisalign has helped more than 14 million people achieve a straighter smile. Invisalign is a modern, virtually invisible alternative to traditional braces, making it an ideal option for those who want to straighten their teeth without the stigma of wearing braces.
Like other teeth straightening methods, Invisalign can impact your day-to-day activities, including eating. You should not eat with Invisalign on.
The good news is that this type of aligner is removable. As long as you remove them before eating, you can enjoy all of your favourite foods without worrying about damaging your aligners or getting food stuck in them.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. Your Invisalign treatment schedule involves replacing your clear aligners every 2 weeks. Patients can see a straighter smile in as little as 6 months.
Braces vs. Invisalign
Invisalign can be a great alternative to braces for anyone looking to achieve a straighter smile – especially older patients who are looking for a discreet method of teeth straightening.
Some benefits of Invisalign over braces include:
- Being able to eat what you want: Some foods are prone to getting stuck in braces and causing damage, especially sticky, chewy, or hard foods. Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners are easily removable and should be removed prior to eating.
- Easy to clean: Invisalign aligners are much easier to clean than traditional braces, as they are removable. In addition to being removed prior to eating, aligners also need to be removed prior to brushing or flossing.
- More discreet: The physical appearance of braces can be a drawback for many individuals. Invisalign aligners are nearly transparent and much less noticeable than braces.
- Fewer potential problems: Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign does not use brackets and wires to straighten your teeth. With Invisalign, you do not need to worry about potential damage that requires emergency visits to the dentist.
If you are looking for a more convenient and discreet way to straighten your smile, ask your dentist about Invisalign options.
Eating with Invisalign
Invisalign can offer many benefits over traditional braces. However, daily maintenance is still required to achieve a straighter, healthy smile. Invisalign aligners are custom-fit and designed to fit snugly over your teeth.
Invisalign aligners need to be removed before eating and drinking. This will help prevent food particles from getting trapped between your teeth and aligners, which can cause bacteria buildup and tooth decay.
As long as you remove your aligners before eating and properly clean your teeth, you don’t need to worry about certain foods causing damage to your Invisalign. However, the treatment can cause your teeth to feel sore, which may impact what foods you can eat.
While undergoing Invisalign treatment, you should avoid tough foods contributing to discomfort.
Can You Drink with Invisalign On?
Similarly to food, Invisalign aligners also need to be removed before consuming liquids. Liquid particles can also easily get into your aligners and cause bacteria to grow close to your teeth and gums.
Plain water is the only food or drinks you can consume with your aligners.
Can You Chew Gum with Invisalign On?
Chewing gum is also not advisable to do while wearing Invisalign aligners. Chewing gum can cause your aligners to become dislodged or misaligned, which can interfere with the progress of your treatment,
Gum can also stick to your aligners, making them difficult to clean and causing potential damage.
What If I Eat with Invisalign On?
While it is inadvisable to eat with your aligners, you may find yourself in a situation where you do eat with them on, either accidentally or otherwise. If you do eat or drink with Invisalign still on, it’s important to remove your aligners as soon as possible and thoroughly clean them. You should also brush your teeth after eating to protect your teeth from decay.
It’s also essential to practice good dental hygiene while using Invisalign. This includes removing your aligners before brushing and flossing, brushing your teeth at least twice daily, and flossing your teeth regularly.
Get Started with Invisalign
The success of your Invisalign treatment depends on wearing your aligners for the recommended amount of time each day and following all the care instructions provided by your dental professional. This includes removing your aligners before eating, drinking, or chewing gum.
Invisalign treatment begins with a consultation with your dentist. The team at Arch Dental is here to help you get started with Invisalign. Book an appointment and discover how you can achieve a straighter smile today.
