Eating with Invisalign: Complete Guide on What You Can Eat and Drink

One of the most appreciated advantages of Invisalign treatment is the great freedom it provides in daily life, particularly during meals. Unlike fixed braces, no list of foods is prohibited. This freedom comes with a few fundamental rules to follow to ensure the success of your treatment.

The fundamental rule: Always remove your aligners to eat

This rule is simple and non-negotiable: never consume food with aligners in your mouth. Aligners are not made to withstand chewing forces. Eating with your aligners could have several consequences:

• Damage or break them: The pressure exerted while chewing can crack or even deform the plastic of the aligners.
• Stain them irreversibly: Foods, especially highly colored ones, can yellow your aligners, causing them to lose their transparency.
• Increase the risk of cavities: Food debris can infiltrate between teeth and the aligner, creating an environment conducive to bacterial development and cavity formation.

The good news: total dietary freedom

Once your aligners are removed, you have the freedom to eat whatever you want! This is one of the main advantages compared to traditional braces. You can bite into an apple, eat caramel or nuts without worrying about detaching a bracket.

Just be a little careful with extremely hard foods if you have attachments, although these are designed to be robust.

Drinks: what's allowed and what to avoid

Regarding drinks, the rule is slightly different but equally important.

What you can drink with aligners in

Only plain water, cool or at room temperature, can be drunk without having to remove your aligners.

What you must consume without aligners

For absolutely all other drinks, it is imperative to remove your aligners:

• Hot drinks (coffee, tea, herbal teas): High temperature can deform the thermoplastic of your aligners.
• Sugary drinks (sodas, juices, syrups): Sugar infiltrates under the aligners and stagnates against the enamel, which greatly increases the risk of cavities.
• Colored drinks (red wine, coffee, certain teas): Their pigments can permanently stain and yellow your aligners.

The hygiene protocol after each meal

To respect the 22-hour daily wear time and maintain a healthy mouth, it is crucial to establish a quick and systematic routine:

1. Remove your aligners and place them in their protective case.
2. Have your meal or drink.
3. Brush your teeth and use dental floss. This step is essential.
4. Briefly clean your aligners by brushing them or rinsing with cold water.
5. Reinsert your clean aligners on your clean teeth.

Special cases: Cigarettes and chewing gum

Can you smoke with Invisalign aligners?

It is strongly discouraged to smoke with aligners. Nicotine and tar will quickly color them yellow or brown, thus canceling their aesthetic advantage.

Can you chew gum?

No, it is impossible to chew gum, as it would immediately stick to your aligners and be extremely difficult to remove.

Conclusion: freedom comes with discipline

Eating with Invisalign means freedom, but this freedom requires rigorous hygiene discipline in return. By following these simple rules, you will fully enjoy the benefits of your treatment without risking harm to your dental health or the effectiveness of your aligners.