Thanks to its convenience and discreet nature, Invisalign technology has quickly become one of the most popular treatment options to get straighter teeth. As these clear aligners are completely removable, one of the most common questions new Invisalign users have is if you can eat with Invisalign aligners in your mouth.
Proper care is vital to ensuring your aligners aren’t damaged and work as intended. Here’s a quick overview of what you can and can’t eat or drink while wearing Invisalign aligners and when to remove them:
Always Remove Invisalign Before Eating
What can you eat with Invisalign aligners in place? The simple answer is nothing. You should always remove your aligners before eating. Failing to do so may damage or degrade your aligners. Certain foods may also stain your aligners, making them more visible, which ruins one of the primary benefits of Invisalign!
The good news is, removing your aligners is easy, and as you aren’t getting any food on them while eating, you won’t need to clean them or follow any special oral hygiene rules that often come with traditional wire braces. You do need to make sure you put them back in after meals, however, ensuring you wear them at least 20 hours per day.
Water is Okay
While it is technically safe to drink fluids with your Invisalign aligners in place, it’s important to avoid hot drinks. High temperatures may warp your aligners. This point is also good to keep in mind when cleaning your aligners. If it’s hotter than lukewarm (at or around room temperature), it’s likely too hot.
When it comes to cold liquids, options like wine or soda could also stain your aligners over time and increase the risk of other dental problems if you don’t brush or swish water after drinking. That’s why it’s generally best to remove your aligners unless you are just drinking water—which is also the best choice for your teeth!
Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss
Keeping up with good oral hygiene, such as regular brushing, flossing, and scheduling an annual cleaning and exam, is always recommended, but it’s even more important when you have Invisalign or braces. With Invisalign, you should brush and floss after every meal to avoid trapping food particles and bacteria between your teeth and your aligners.
Still Have Questions About Invisalign?
In short, the answer is, no, you can’t eat with Invisalign aligners in. However, removing your aligners is quick and easy, and the results are well worth the minor inconvenience. If you still have questions about Invisalign care or are interested in getting aligners, reach out to the experts at the Westchase Smiles Institute, the best Invisalign provider in Tampa. Call (813) 920-9144 today.
