Invisalign is popular for patients who want straight teeth but don’t want the traditional braces look. The clear aligners are hard to see, comfortable, and removable. However, one of the most asked questions by patients is, “Can you eat and drink with Invisalign?” To ensure that your treatment goes accordingly, it is important to understand the rules of food and drink while wearing aligners.
Why Are Food and Drink Rules Important with Invisalign?
Invisalign aligners can be removed before meals, unlike braces. Therefore, while they are more convenient, you must be cautious about how and when you eat. If food or drinks get trapped in the trays, you can have staining, cavities, or even damage to the aligners. To achieve optimal results, follow the recommendations from your dentist in Etobicoke or whichever dental practitioner is monitoring your Invisalign treatment.
Where Can You Learn the Right Eating and Drinking Habits?
Finding Invisalign near you and talking to a qualified dentist should give you an obvious direction to follow. Dentists give tips and step-by-step instructions on how to keep your aligners clean, what to avoid eating, and how to eat freely without impacting your treatment.
Can You Eat with Invisalign Trays In?
The simple answer is no. You should always remove the aligner prior to eating any type of food. If you bite down on the aligner, you have the risk of cracking, bending or staining the trays. In addition, food can be trapped inside the trays with bacteria.
Main Points:
- Take your trays out whenever you eat meals or snacks.
- Rinse your mouth and trays out before placing them back in.
- When you take out your trays, make sure you have a case with you, so they don’t get lost or damaged.
What Can You Drink While Wearing Invisalign?
This is another fairly common question. Water is the only safe drink when you are wearing aligners. Soda and tea may stain the trays, and juice may leave sugars, which can lead to cavities. Hot drinks, as a general rule of thumb, can warp the trays; therefore, avoid hot beverages altogether.
If you’re not sure, a dentist near you will let you know that plain, cool water is always the safest beverage.
Foods to Avoid During Invisalign Treatment
Since you take your aligners out to eat, most foods are safe. There are, without a doubt, some food choices to avoid, just because they may slow down your progress and monopolize your comfort and health. Below are some foods and advice for tooth and aligner wearers to avoid:
Sticky foods such as caramel or chewing gum—they stick to teeth and are hard to clear off.
- Crunchy or hard foods, for instance, popcorn, nuts, and ice, can chip teeth and make it uncomfortable to wear the aligner again.
- Sugary snacks and drinks—they increase cavities, but only if you don’t brush your teeth properly, and then again right after.
- Think of it this way—the cleaner and healthier your diet is while getting the Invisalign, the same will be the case during treatment.
Do You Have to Remove Invisalign to Drink Coffee?
Yes, you do! Coffee, tea and other dark beverages can easily stain the trays, and hot coffee can even warp the aligners and make them ineffective! If you really enjoy your coffee, the best option is to drink it while your trays are out and brush your teeth before placing your trays back in. If brushing isn’t possible, don’t forget to rinse your mouth out with water! This will help reduce staining and keep your breath fresh. A travel toothbrush might be easier to carry around. Developing these small habits will help keep your aligners clear and moving forward with your treatment.
Invisalign Eating and Drinking Rules Explained
Here is a summary of what you can and cannot consume:
| Dos | Don’ts |
| Remove aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water | Never eat while wearing trays |
| Drink only plain water with aligners in | Avoid hot, sugary, or colored drinks with trays on |
| Store trays in their case during meals | Don’t wrap them in tissues where they can be lost |
| Brush and rinse before putting trays back in | Don’t skip cleaning after meals |
Smile Confidently with Kailash Dentistry
Invisalign can change your smile, but you can’t get there if you don’t follow the right food and drink habits. If you’ve been wondering what you can eat, drink, and avoid during treatment, you’re in the right place. Even what you do every day (like whether to take out your aligners for a cup of coffee) is part of keeping your treatment on track.
At Kailash Dentistry, we pride ourselves on offering friendly service and assistance during your Invisalign journey. We will be with you during every step as you take the first consultation, as well as the clear instructions on caring for your aligners, all the way to a Do-It-Yourself, healthier, straighter smile. When you are ready to start your makeover with Invisalign, book your appointment at Kailash Dentistry today and take the first step to a healthier smile!
