What food should I avoid with Invisalign?
During your Invisalign treatment, there will be some foods that you will need to avoid to ensure that the treatment progresses without a hitch. Crunchy and sticky foods should be avoided or eaten with care, as they can damage your aligners, leaving you with expensive repairs or needing to get replacement aligners. You will also need to reduce your consumption of tea, coffee, and alcohol to prevent staining your clear aligners. Today, we explore all of the foods and drinks you need to avoid during your Invisalign treatment, and advise you on the best tips for eating and drinking during your treatment.
Foods to avoid with Invisalign
During Invisalign, you don’t need to cut out any foods entirely, but you will need to take care to ensure that your aligners do not break. There are a few types of foods that you should avoid eating in large quantities to help achieve your new smile, outlined below:
Alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic drinks should be consumed in moderation when you have clear braces, as red wine can stain your aligners. Carbonated drinks also pose an issue as they typically contain a lot of sugar which can make your aligners sticky and uncomfortable to wear. The acidity in alcoholic drinks also needs to be considered, as they can erode tooth enamel, contributing to tooth decay.
Limit how many drinks you consume while wearing aligners, and where possible, switch from acidic or coloured alcoholic drinks.
Crunchy foods
Hard and crunchy food,s i.e. hard-shelled bread, raw carrots, and nuts, can still be enjoyed, but you need to take care when eating them. Crunchy foods can chip and break your aligners, and you will need to replace them to continue with your treatment.
We recommend enjoying crunchy foods in moderation, or switching to softer bread, cooked vegetables, and fruits to reduce the chance of damage to your aligners. Doing so allows you to enjoy your favourite foods without the fear of breaking your aligners.
Sticky foods
Sticky foods can interrupt your teeth straightening process. Sticky sweets can stick to your aligners or get stuck between your teeth, contributing to a buildup of bacteria, plaque and tartar. The best way to avoid this is to switch from sticky sweets to a soft cookie, marshmallow, or cake. These will satisfy your sweet tooth without the worry of them causing issues with your aligners.
Tea and coffee
Tea and coffee are known for staining teeth, turning them yellow. They can also do this to your clear aligners, and if you drink tea and coffee while wearing them, they can turn yellow. This can make your teeth appear more yellow than they are, which can impact your confidence.
Hot drinks should also not be consumed while wearing your aligners, as the heat from the drinks can warp the plastic. When this happens, your aligners will not fit properly on your teeth, and you will need to pay for replacement aligners to prevent any issues with your treatment.
Top tips for eating and drinking with Invisalign
Your Invisalign aligners will be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, so it is important that you know how best to eat and drink while completing your treatment. We have included our top tips below:
Drink water
While wearing your aligners, you should only drink room-temperature or cold water. Hot water can warp or melt your aligners, so it is best to avoid this. As water is clear, you do not have to worry about it staining your aligners. When drinking soft drinks or sparkling water, remove your aligners before drinking them.
Remove aligners while eating
No matter what you are eating, you should remove your aligners beforehand. This protects them from getting damaged and allows you to eat as normal. We recommend placing your aligners in their case every time you remove them. This prevents you from losing them and paying the hefty replacement fees.
Brush your teeth after eating
After you have finished every meal or snack, you will want to brush your teeth afterwards. This helps to promote good oral health and ensures that all small food particles are removed from your gums and between your teeth. These particles are usually removed by saliva or brushing your teeth, but when you put your aligners in, the particles remain trapped and can cause bacteria to grow.
Clean your aligners
You will need to clean your aligners regularly to prevent any buildup of bacteria that could harm your teeth. Your aligners should be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and water, ensuring they are not damaged. Aligners can also be cleaned by soaking them in a denture cleaning or aligner cleaning kit.
Follow your usual diet
As you will remove your aligners before eating, you can enjoy your usual diet. We do recommend reducing how often you eat sticky and hard or crunchy foods, as these can impact your teeth and aligners.
Attend regular dental appointments
You should also attend regular dental appointments to check your oral health. Your dentist can also perform regular dental cleanings to remove any particles that can cause bacteria to grow in your smile. As part of your Invisalign treatment, you will likely see your dentist every six weeks or so to assess your progress and carry out any routine dental work.
Find your Invisalign dentist in Melbourne today
Despite having to wear your aligners for most of the day, Invisalign isn’t the restrictive treatment you might have thought it was. You can choose from plenty of experienced dentists across Melbourne for your Invisalign treatment, including Gorgeous Smiles. Their Melbourne practice is filled with the most experienced dentists who can help you create your perfect smile. Reach out to them to learn more about their Invisalign in Melbourne CBD.
