Eating with Invisalign What Foods to Avoid and How to Keep Your Aligners Clean

1. Search Write Sign in Sign up Eating with Invisalign: What Foods to Avoid and How to Keep Your Aligners Clean Matt M · Follow 5 min read · Aug 19, 2024 Invisalign has definitely changed the orthodontic treatment by introducing the use of almost invisible, transparent plastic aligners instead of the traditional metal braces. As much as this appliance has to do with food consumption, extra care is needed. It would be, therefore, practical to shed light on how to eat with Invisalign, the dos, and don’ts so that one’s way toward the perfect smile goes on undisturbedly and efficiently. The Invisalign Advantage: A Brief Overview Invisalign aligners are a new generation for straightening teeth. The teeth are moved into their desired places with removable, custom-made clear plastic trays. Being almost invisible, the Invisalign aligners are easy to remove for food and drink, unlike traditional braces, hence giving more flexibility to foods and drinks. However, some precautions need to be taken in order to keep your aligners intact and successfully complete your treatment. stories that deepen your understanding of the world. Free Membership Distraction-free reading. No ads. Read member-only stories Organize your knowledge with lists and highlights. Support writers you read most Earn money for your writing Sign up to discover human Tell your story. Find your audience. Listen to audio narrations Read offline with the Medium app Invisalign: Foods to Avoid Sign up for free Try for $5/month Although Invisalign allows you much more freedom with regards to your diet than traditional braces do, there are still some foods that could potentially damage your aligners or even hamper the progress of your treatment. Hard Foods The hard foods can crack or chip your Invisalign trays. Some such foods to be avoided are: Ice Hard candies Nuts Raw carrots Popcorn kernels These foods exert stress on your aligners, bending them out of shape and therefore not working as expected. Sticky Foods

2. Sticky foods will hang around your aligners, are a pain to clean, and can stain them. Avoid: Chewing gum Caramel Taffy Gummy candies These foods will put a residue on your aligners that bacteria are going to love to move right in and start a family, which could cause dental issues. Staining Foods and Drinks Some foods and drinks can stain your aligners, which can make them visible and pretty much negate their “invisibility” aspect. Be cautious about consuming the following things: Coffee Tea Red wine Berries Tomato-based sauces If consumed, make sure to take out your aligners in advance and that you rinse your mouth well afterward. How to Eat and Drink with Invisalign Best Practices Having good practices related to eating and drinking will be very helpful in making your Invisalign experience the best possible and in producing the results for which you are hoping from the treatment. Take Out Your Aligners Before Meals Always remove your aligners while eating or drinking anything other than water. This precaution actually avoids trapping food particles between the teeth and the aligners, leading to decaying and staining. Timing Your Meals Invisalign treatment involves the daily wearing of your aligners for 20–22 hours. Therein, plan your meals and snacks in that window of 2–4 hours when you are not putting on your aligners. This technique will assure you that you have provided the recommended amount of wear time to achieve the best outcome. Drinking Water with Aligners Water remains the only beverage you can have with your Invisalign aligners on your teeth. It will help to wash around your mouth and will stop it from becoming dehydrated due to long periods of aligner wear.

3. How to Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene with Invisalign Maintaining good oral hygiene will not only affect the success of your Invisalign treatment; it also relates to your general dental health. Routines for Brushing and Flossing Always remember to brush your teeth after every meal before putting the aligners back on. This will help keep food particles off the teeth so that, when wear time is extended with aligners on your teeth, they are not trapped between your teeth, hence minimizing decay. Floss once a day for interdental plaque and removal of food particles. Rinsing After Meals If you cannot get in to brush immediately after eating, then always rinse your mouth with water. This step removes food particles from the mouth and prevents staining or bacterial buildup. Keeping Your Aligners Clean Cleaning your aligners will keep them clear and will help to keep your mouth as clean and healthy as possible. How to Clean Your Aligners Daily Wash your aligners morning and night with antibacterial soap and a soft toothbrush. Be sure to avoid using colored or scented soaps because they can stain your aligners or leave a residue or taste on them. Make sure to rinse completely with cold water when you wash them. Deep Cleaning Techniques You can also do an intensive clean once a week using a specialized Invisalign cleaning system or a denture cleaner. These will get rid of buildup quite effectively and safely, kill off bacteria that can grow on your aligners, but not harm them in the process. Diet and Its Effects on Invisalign Treatment Another critical factor that will influence the success of your Invisalign

4. treatment is your diet. A balanced diet that can provide the necessary calcium and vitamin D for promoting healthy tooth movement and bone remodeling should be adhered to. Dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fish will help you have stronger teeth and gums. This might enable your Invisalign treatment to work better. A Healthy Diet Embraced for Optimum Results Although Invisalign will require a small amount of dietary adjustment, it is also an opportunity to become involved in healthier eating. Zero in on foods that are rich in nutrients and will help keep your teeth and body in good shape. Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources, and whole grains. Such foods will help keep your teeth in top condition and give a boost to your general health during Invisalign treatment. By following these guidelines, you will no doubt be confident in moving through the intricacies of Invisalign and food. Keep in mind that your commitment to these practices directly influences the success of your treatment. Only when you take due care of your aligners and pay proper attention to your diet will you achieve that stunning smile you so desire, along with the maintenance of optimal oral health throughout your Invisalign journey. Invisalign Invisalign Treatment Invisalign Dentist Invisalign Braces Aligners Treatment Written by Matt M Follow 0 Followers More from Matt M Matt M Matt M Invisalign: The Secret to Straightening Teeth Without… Are you dreaming of a perfect smile but dread the thought of metal braces? You’re not alon… Is Invisalign Right for You? Insights from Geneva’s Top Specialists Invisalign has taken the world of orthodontics by storm, and Geneva is no exception. With …

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