Can You Eat With Invisalign? Rules For Eating and Drinking
Invisalign has gained popularity as a substitute for conventional metal braces. Straightening teeth is easy now since the clear aligners are detachable and nearly invisible. While this dental innovation sounds fantastic, it does raise questions, one of which is: Can you eat with Invisalign?
Let’s break down the rules for eating and drinking with Invisalign and why it’s essential to follow them.
Why You Shouldn’t Eat With Invisalign
Invisalign aligners are not built to handle the pressure and friction from chewing food since they are made from clear plastic. Eating with them can cause several problems:
Remember to wear your Invisalign responsibly. When you bite down on food while wearing one, it can crack, warp, or stain the aligners.
Proper oral care will get you far, and it’s the same as wearing Invisalign. Food particles can lodge between your teeth and the aligners, resulting in cavities, plaque accumulation, or foul breath.
Here’s where it gets tricky. Wearing an Invisalign will restrict you to drinking only water. When you have to drink other beverages, you must remove your aligners. Here are a few reasons why you should not wear them when drinking anything other than water:
● Do you like drinking hot beverages like coffee, tea, or chocolate? You will have to remove your aligners as they can warp its components.
● Sugary or acidic beverages can seep under the aligners and worsen the risk of tooth decay.
● Drinks with any color, like red wine or coffee, can stain the aligners, removing their unique invisible characteristic.
Tips for Eating and Drinking With Invisalign
Wearing these unique aligners will require a small effort to keep your teeth healthy. Pay attention to these few pointers:
1. Always remove your aligners before meals. Keep a clean case with you to store them safely.
2. Clean your mouth by rinsing or brushing before returning the aligners. This helps remove food particles and bacteria.
3. Stick to water when wearing your aligners. Save other beverages for your meal breaks.
4. Be mindful of your time. Ideally, you must wear your Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours daily to ensure it correctly aligns your teeth. Keep your eating and drinking breaks short to avoid falling behind schedule.
Start an Invisalign-Friendly Lifestyle Today
Adjusting to life with Invisalign takes a little planning, especially regarding food and drink. Maintaining a good routine will help you keep track of your treatment and protect your oral health at the same time.
If you want to learn more about Invisalign, contact Risinger Orthodontics in Glastonbury, Connecticut. We can provide all you need about this convenient alternative to conventional metal braces.