If you’re considering Invisalign® treatment or have just started wearing Invisalign® clear aligners, you probably have questions about how these innovative orthodontic devices will affect your daily life, particularly when it comes to eating. The good news is that Invisalign® offers significantly more flexibility with food choices compared to traditional metal braces.

As a removable aligner system, Invisalign® provides distinct advantages for maintaining your normal eating habits while straightening your teeth.

So, Can You Eat with Invisalign®?

Yes! Unlike traditional braces, you can eat virtually anything with Invisalign® treatment—but there’s an important catch: you must remove your Invisalign® aligners before eating or drinking anything except plain water.

This is one of the major benefits of Invisalign® compared to traditional orthodontic treatment. With traditional metal braces, there’s a laundry list of foods you need to avoid. But with Invisalign®, your dietary restrictions essentially disappear when you remove your trays for meals.

Related Article: How Long Does Invisalign® Take If You’ve Already Had Braces?

Removing Your Invisalign® Trays When Eating is a Must

Removing your Invisalign® aligners before eating or drinking (except for water) is crucial for several reasons.

First, Invisalign® trays are made from BPA-free plastic that, while durable for everyday wear, isn’t designed to withstand the pressure of chewing. Eating with Invisalign® on could damage, warp, or crack your aligners.

Second, certain foods and beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine can stain your invisible aligners, making them more noticeable, defeating their primary cosmetic advantage.

Third, food can easily get trapped between your teeth and Invisalign® trays, increasing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath due to plaque buildup.

Finally, damaged aligners may not properly move your teeth into their desired position, potentially extending your treatment times.

Food Choices During Invisalign® Treatment

Since you remove your Invisalign® aligners when eating, you have the freedom to enjoy most foods. However, being mindful of certain food choices can help protect your dental health during treatment.

You can enjoy soft fruits and vegetables (cut into bite-sized pieces), softer foods like pasta, rice, and eggs, soft cheeses and other dairy products, and treats like ice cream and yogurt with confidence. Just remember to brush afterward to protect your tooth enamel from sugary foods.

When wearing Invisalign®, you should be careful with hard foods and crunchy foods like nuts, hard candies, and raw carrots—not because they’ll damage your aligners (since you’ll have them out), but because they could potentially damage any attachments you might have on your teeth as part of your treatment plan.

Sticky foods and chewy foods might also adhere to any attachments on your teeth. Sugary foods and sugary drinks increase your risk of cavities during orthodontic treatment, so moderation is key for maintaining dental health.

Beverage Choices With Invisalign®

The only liquid you should consume while wearing your Invisalign® aligners is plain water.

For all other beverages, you’ll need to remove your aligners first.

  • Hot drinks and hot water can warp your aligners, so avoid them or let them cool to lukewarm water before reinserting.
  • Acidic drinks and sugary drinks can increase your risk of tooth decay if trapped between your aligners and teeth.
  • Colored drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can stain both your aligners and your teeth, so it’s best to drink water whenever possible with your aligners in place.

Practical Tips for Eating with Invisalign®

Managing your eating habits during Invisalign® treatment requires some adjustment, but with a few practical strategies, your Invisalign® experience can be smooth and comfortable. Since aligners should be worn 20-22 hours daily, try consolidating your eating into fewer, longer sessions rather than frequent snacking. This maximizes the time you wear Invisalign® on your teeth while minimizing the hassle of removing and cleaning your aligners multiple times per day.

When dining out, carry a small dental care kit that includes a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and a container for your aligners. This makes it easy to maintain proper care of both your teeth and your aligners while away from home. Cutting food into small pieces or smaller pieces makes eating faster and more efficient during your “aligner-free” time, helping you get back to wearing your aligners sooner.

Staying hydrated is important for both your overall health and your Invisalign® treatment. Drink water frequently throughout the day to maintain good oral hygiene and keep your mouth feeling fresh. After eating, at minimum, rinse your mouth with water before putting your aligners back in if you can’t brush right away. This helps remove loose food particles that could get trapped between your aligners and teeth.

The Importance of Oral Hygiene During Invisalign® Treatment

Maintaining good oral hygiene becomes even more crucial during Invisalign® treatment.

  • You should brush your teeth after every meal before reinserting your aligners to prevent food particles from becoming trapped against your teeth.
  • Floss at least once daily to remove debris between teeth that brushing can’t reach.
  • Clean your Invisalign® trays properly each day using the recommended cleaning methods from your dentist.
  • Regular dental checkups remain essential during your treatment to monitor your progress and ensure your dental health is maintained.

Poor dental hygiene while wearing Invisalign® can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Food particles trapped between your teeth and aligners create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, which can undermine the benefits of your orthodontic treatment.

By maintaining excellent dental hygiene practices, you’ll ensure your treatment progresses smoothly toward achieving that beautiful smile.

Smile Your Way Through Your Invisalign® Journey

Invisalign® treatment offers the perfect balance between effective orthodontic care and maintaining your lifestyle, especially when it comes to your favorite foods. The removable nature of these clear aligners means you can continue enjoying nearly all the foods you love while steadily progressing toward that beautiful, straighter smile you’ve always wanted.

With proper care, good oral hygiene, and mindful eating habits, your Invisalign® journey can be a comfortable, convenient path to transforming your smile and boosting your confidence for years to come.