One of the reasons patients value Invisalign clear aligners for their orthodontic treatments is because they don't come with dietary restrictions and can be removed to eat. Here, our Langley dentist explains a few of the things you should know about eating when undergoing Invisalign treatment.
Eating while undergoing treatment with Invisalign can be easy. Clear aligners are removable and there generally aren't any dietary restrictions associated with the treatment. All you have to do is take your aligners out to eat and drink anything you want as long as you wear them for the prescribed amount of time each day.
Eating With Clear Aligners
You can remove your Invisalign clear aligners so you can keep drinking and eating all of the food you enjoy, unlike traditional metal braces that have food restrictions associated with them (since food can get stuck in brackets and wires).
Just make sure you are taking your aligners out before drinking and eating anything that is not cold water. If you drink sugary or dark drinks with your aligners on it could lead to a build-up of plaque. Hot beverages such as coffee and tea can warp or stain your aligners.
Brush & Rinse After Eating
Before you put your aligners back on after you drink or eat, you need to brush your teeth and clean the aligners. Food can get caught between your aligners and teeth which could lead to damage and tooth decay.
If you aren't able to brush your teeth after eating or drinking, you should at least rinse your aligners and mouth with water before placing them back into your smile.
Putting Your Aligners Back On
You should make sure that you wear your clear aligners for at least 20 hours each day, so be mindful of the length of time that you have them out for. The idea here is to keep them in for as long as possible in order to have a successful treatment.