What Foods Can I Eat During Invisalign Treatment?

What Foods Can I Eat During Invisalign Treatment?

Even people who never had braces have heard of the many foods you should avoid during treatment. Eating very crunchy, sticky, or chewy things can break the braces, delaying treatment. Braces are also quite difficult to keep clean, and sticky food can get stuck and lead to tooth decay.

Invisalign is an alternative orthodontic solution that’s both removable and discrete.

But what can you eat during Invisalign?

Which foods should you avoid during Invisalign?

Keep reading to find out.

You Can Remove Clear Aligners

The first thing to remember is that Invisalign is removable. The clear aligners are not glued to your teeth like braces.

After wearing one tray for a couple of weeks, you move to the next tray. Over time, the clear aligners gradually shift your teeth to their correct position.

You should wear the trays for at least 22 hours per day. However, you can remove them to eat, drink, and clean your teeth.

That means that Invisalign does not restrict eating nearly as much as braces. While a hard carrot could damage braces, you can remove Invisalign to eat it.

However, there are still some things to note about eating with Invisible braces.

What Can I Drink with Invisalign?

When you remove your trays, you can drink whatever you would like. Then, clean your teeth and rinse the tray before re-inserting.

While wearing the clear aligners, you can drink clear, cool liquids (like water).

Hot liquids can warp the tray, making it ineffective. Therefore, you should not drink tea, or coffee, hot chocolate, etc., while wearing Invisalign.

Dark liquids may stain your tray. If the liquid stains a white shirt, it can stain your trays. Stained Invisalign trays are no longer clear. They are visible and will not appear natural. Sugary liquids that are clear can still damage your aligner color.

Which Foods Should I Avoid with Invisalign?

Since Invisalign is removable, it does not restrict your eating as much as braces.

However, sticky foods may stick to your teeth. When you put the tray back on, they may be trapped there. Likewise, staining foods may also stain your trays even if you eat them without the trays.

Some foods to be careful with include:

  • Starbursts, skittles, taffy, and any other chewy candy
  • Jawbreakers
  • Hard candy
  • Raw carrots
  • Berries
  • Gum

You can still eat these foods, you just need to be diligent about cleaning your mouth before putting your trays back. Remove all sticky residue by thoroughly brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth. This will remove the stains and make sure all sticky food is gone.

Invisalign in Burlington, ON

What can you not eat with Invisalign?

The true answer is that Invisalign does not restrict your eating because you can remove the aligners to eat!

However, you still must be cautious with some foods and drinks, so you do not stain/warp your aligners or cause tooth decay.

Do you have any other questions about Invisalign? Are you looking to straighten your teeth?

Fielding Dental Healthcare is here to help! We offer Invisalign treatment to help you get a straighter, healthier smile. Book your appointment today for Invisalign in Burlington!