Invisalign treatment is a great way to improve your smile and overall oral health, using plastic aligners that can gradually move your teeth to their proper position. However, as with any orthodontic treatment, there are certain things you need to be aware of to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly. One of the most important things to keep in mind is your diet.
Read on to learn helpful tips on what to eat and avoid during your Invisalign treatment.
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What Kinds of Food Should You Eat During Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign trays are removable. You can take them off before you eat or drink, which is why there are very few dietary restrictions during Invisalign treatment. However, remember that regardless of what you eat, brushing your teeth before putting back your Invisalign is very important. Failure to do so will trap food particles inside your aligner. When this happens, your teeth become prone to cavities and other dental problems, which may interrupt your Invisalign treatment.
Here are some tips on what to eat during your Invisalign treatment:
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
They are packed with nutrients that are good for your overall health, including your teeth and gums. Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks, as these can cause tooth decay. Some of them can also cause your Invisalign aligners to become stained.
- Drink plenty of water.
This helps keep your mouth and aligners clean, and it also helps prevent dry mouth. However, avoid drinking hot water while wearing your aligners because it can cause them to warp.
- Eat dairy products, such as cheese, milk, and yogurt.
These kinds of food are rich in calcium essential for maintaining bone density. They contain casein, a protein beneficial for fortifying tooth enamel. They are also high in phosphate, which helps balance the mouth’s pH levels, helping preserve tooth enamel. In addition, they can help in saliva production, which can wash away bacteria in the mouth. They also contain probiotics, which are live bacteria beneficial for oral health.
- Choose soft foods.
Invisalign gradually moves your teeth with pressure from the aligners. This can make the teeth sensitive, especially if the aligners are new. Eating hard and chewy foods can make your teeth more sensitive, so eating soft foods like eggs, fish, and mashed potatoes is advisable for the first couple of days after you change to a new set of aligners.
Can You Snack With Invisalign?
Since you can remove your aligners, you can snack anytime you want. However, you should remember to put your Invisalign back in after eating and wear them for at least 22 hours per day to achieve your desired results. One of the biggest factors in the success of your orthodontic treatment is your commitment to wearing the Invisalign as directed.
Can You Chew Gum While Wearing Invisalign?
Among the worst things you could do while wearing Invisalign is chewing gum. This is because gum can stick to your aligners and be difficult to remove. Chewing gum can also deform your Invisalign. If you must chew gum, make sure to remove your Invisalign first.
Why Should Invisalign Trays Be Removed When Eating or Drinking?
When eating or drinking beverages other than cold or lukewarm water, you should remove your Invisalign trays. Your trays are made of flexible plastic, which makes them comfortable to wear. However, they are not strong enough to resist damage under biting forces and should therefore be removed before eating.
Aside from preventing damage, Invisalign trays must also be removed to avoid staining from food and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine. They should also not be exposed to hot water or beverages to prevent warping. In addition, when you don’t remove your aligners to eat or drink, food particles can become trapped in them. This increases the risk of cavities and can also lead
Final Thoughts
Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces for straightening misaligned and crooked teeth. They are nearly invisible, making them a popular choice among adults. However, to preserve the physical integrity of your Invisalign and to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment, ideal eating habits must be practised, including removal of the trays before eating, following dietary restrictions and recommendations, and brushing your teeth before putting back your trays.
If you have questions or concerns about Invisalign or want to know if you are a good candidate, contact us now to book a consultation.
Burwood Dental Care is a modern dental clinic equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment and a team of dentists with years of experience in Invisalign treatment. During your appointment, your dentist will assess your oral health to determine if you can have this procedure. Otherwise, they will recommend other treatment options to help address your needs. They will discuss Invisalign, its benefits, and what you can expect to help you decide if this treatment is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will be given a set of aligner chewies when you first get your Invisalign trays. These are small, tube-shaped pieces of soft rubber that you bite down on to help seat your aligners in place. After putting your aligners, you can bite down on the chewies for 5 to 15 minutes a day, shifting them around your mouth to help them fit snugly against your teeth. You can use them anytime to help make you feel comfortable as you wear your Invisalign.
Invisalign offers several benefits over other traditional orthodontic treatments. One of the main benefits is that they are nearly invisible, so most people won’t be able to tell that you’re wearing them. They are also removable, so you can take them out whenever you want to eat or drink. Since they are made of flexible plastic, they are less bulky and easier to adjust to. Finally, they are more comfortable to wear than braces since no wires or brackets can rub against your gums and cheeks.
Clean your Invisalign trays every night before you put them back in your mouth. Brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush, gentle soap, and warm water to remove food debris. Avoid toothpaste, as this can be abrasive to the aligners, and hot water, which can warp the plastic. You can also soak them in denture cleaners or Invisalign cleaning crystals for 10 to 15 minutes to disinfect them. Rinse them off before putting them back in your mouth. Furthermore, clean your aligners after eating or drinking, especially if you’ve consumed something that can stain them, like coffee or tea. You must also brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in to avoid staining and other future problems, such as tooth decay.
Patients with mild to moderate misalignment of their teeth are good candidates for Invisalign. If you have severe dental alignment problems, traditional braces may be a better option.