The Rules on Eating & Drinking with Invisalign
With braces, there’s a list of foods you must avoid during treatment, like chewy candy, apples, and popcorn.
This makes Invisalign all the more appealing because you can eat whatever you want.
Sound too good to be true?
You’re not wrong. There is a catch!
Below is a list of Q&As on what you can vs. cannot eat or drink with Invisalign.
Don’t worry. These “rules” are pretty straightforward and reasonable when you learn why you must do or not do them.
Plus, we share 3 helpful tips to make eating and drinking with Invisalign easier.
Can you eat with Invisalign?
Yes! The reason you can eat whatever you want during Invisalign treatment is because aligners are removable.
You must remove your Invisalign aligners to eat food. You cannot chew with them in.
Simply take them out, store them in a safe container (not a napkin!), and then eat your food.
What happens if you eat with Invisalign?
If you eat while wearing Invisalign, you risk damaging the aligner and your oral health.
Clear aligners… This text opens a new tab to the Invisalign website… are not designed to withstand the powerful force of chewing food, causing them to crack or break.
If this happens, your treatment may not be as effective and take longer.
Plus, eating with aligners may stain them.
As for your oral health, it’s not good to eat with aligners because food can get stuck in them. This allows bacteria to thrive, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Do I have to brush my teeth every time I eat with Invisalign?
Yes! After eating, it’s recommended you brush your teeth before putting your Invisalign aligners back in.
This will remove food and bacteria from your mouth, preventing cavities and periodontal disease.
Helpful tip #1:
Carry a toothbrush kit with you, so you always have a safe aligner case, toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss on hand.
Can you snack with Invisalign?
The answer is the same as above:
You must remove your Invisalign aligners before snacking.
Another important reminder:
You must wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 hours per day. If you snack too much, you may not meet the compliance requirements, causing your treatment to be less effective or take longer.
Can you chew gum with Invisalign?
No, you shouldn’t chew gum while wearing aligners.
Aligners aren’t meant to handle the constant force of chewing from gum. It can also stick to your aligners and become quite a mess.
If you feel the need to chew on something, get Invisalign chewies. They’re small cylinders that are designed to be chewed on with Invisalign. They also help make aligners fit better and relieve discomfort. You can find these on Amazon.
If you want to freshen your breath, go brush and floss your teeth or buy clear aligner mints called Movemints… This text opens a new tab to the Movemints website….
If you must chew gum, do so during your meal breaks while your aligners are already out.
Can you drink with Invisalign?
With Invisalign, you can technically drink whatever you like.
But here’s the fine print!
Can you drink water with Invisalign?
Yes!
Water is the only drink you may consume while wearing your Invisalign aligners.
Avoid drinking warm or hot water, though, because the hotter temperature may warp the aligner, making it less effective or possibly irritate your gums.
Helpful tip #2:
If your teeth feel tender after switching to a new aligner, drink cold water. The cold temperature helps soothe away discomfort and reduce inflammation.
Can you drink sparkling water with Invisalign?
Generally speaking:
No, you shouldn’t drink sparkling water while wearing Invisalign aligners because it may stain the aligners or harm your teeth.
In some cases, your Invisalign provider may allow you to drink sparkling water in moderation, so long as it doesn’t contain dyes or sugar and you’re aware of the risks of carbonation to your enamel.
Rule of thumb:
Remove your aligners to consume sparkling water.
Can you drink coffee with Invisalign?
You can drink tea or coffee during Invisalign treatment, but you must remove the aligners.
Tea and coffee are prone to staining your aligners, attachments, and teeth!
Hot drinks can also damage your aligners.
What if I drink coffee with a straw?
Even with a straw, you must still remove your aligners to consume coffee or tea.
What about alcohol, wine, soda, or juice?
You may drink alcohol, wine, soda, juice, and all other beverages during Invisalign treatment. But like above, you must remove the aligners to consume them.
The only drink you may safely consume while wearing clear aligners is water.
In case you didn’t know:
Sugary and acidic drinks should be avoided at all times – Invisalign treatment or not.
These types of drinks wreak havoc on your tooth enamel, leaving it extremely susceptible to decay and attributing to the build-up of plaque and tartar, which is the primary cause of gum disease.
Helpful tip #3:
Drink water while consuming other beverages to help rinse away sugars, tannins, and bacteria. If you’re short on time to brush before putting aligners back in during the day, rinse with water or mouth rinse.
Can you smoke with Invisalign?
Technically, you can smoke if you remove your aligners.
But you really shouldn’t!
Taking smoke breaks will compromise your compliance with wearing the aligners for 20+ hours a day, making your treatment longer and less effective.
Not to mention, smoking can stain the aligners and your teeth, and tobacco products can get stuck in the aligner, causing tooth decay.
Is Invisalign worth it?
Yes!
While you may need to cut back on habits, such as sipping on sugar drinks and snacking, the reality is:
Invisalign treatment only takes 6 to 12 months on average, which is faster than braces.
You’ll be done with treatment and these “rules” before you know it!
If you’re still unsure, schedule a consultation.
At NorthStar Dentistry for Adults, our Invisalign consultations include a quick digital scan of your teeth. This scan creates a 3D model of your teeth to determine if you’re suitable for Invisalign, and the best part:
You’ll get to preview what your smile is expected to look like after completing Invisalign!
Seeing your smile’s beautiful potential will help you see the value instantaneously.
Book a consultation with our Invisalign Providers, Dr. David Bunn and Dr. John Merrill, today!
Or contact us by:
- Phone: 803-525-0827
- Email: [email protected]
Our office is based out of Huntersville, NC… opens in a new window to Google Maps…, and serves patients from all over, including Cornelius, Charlotte, Davidson, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Gastonia, and Concord, NC.
