One of the best features of Invisalign is that they are virtually invisible. This is something that both adults and teenagers alike appreciate because it is nearly impossible for others to tell that they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

When you’re wearing Invisalign, you won’t have to worry about people mentioning your braces all the time. You don’t have to feel conscious about smiling in photos either. After all, the only thing you will see is how much your teeth and smile are improving with time.

Many patients wonder how long they need to wear their Invisalign trays. Ideally, it is best to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. As such, it is alright for you to remove your aligners when you’re about to eat. This also means that you don’t have to modify what you eat or how you eat, unlike for people who wear traditional braces.

Basic Rules When Eating and Drinking With Invisalign

1. Remove Your Aligners Before Eating

Even if your aligners are designed to be very durable and strong, they are not built to experience pressure caused by chewing. This is why it is important to take off your aligners before you eat. If you don’t do so, you risk damaging your Invisalign and disrupting the timeline of your treatment.

One of the best benefits of Invisalign over traditional metal braces is that they can easily be removed. It is fine for you to eat whatever you want, whenever you want to. Just remember to remove your aligners beforehand.

2. Never Chew Gum While Wearing Invisalign

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s alright to chew gum while wearing Invisalign, the simple answer is no. As mentioned before, you need to remove your aligners before you eat, and this includes taking them off when you’re about to eat chewing gum. You need to remove your Invisalign because the constant chewing motion and the stickiness of the gum will make your aligners rub against your teeth, which is something you want to avoid at all costs.

3. Drink Water Only

Just because we’re saying you can only drink water does not mean that it’s the only beverage you can consume throughout your Invisalign treatment. However, we do stress that water should be the only beverage you drink when you’re wearing your aligners. 

The reason behind this is simple. Your Invisalign is designed to be discreet and transparent. If you drink colored beverages, such as wine, tea, soda, or coffee, you will compromise the integrity of your Invisalign. Drinking beverages other than water will make your aligners discolored, causing your teeth to look stained. Any sugary drinks can create plaque and other build-up on your teeth, putting you at risk of gum disease and cavities. 

4. Have Your Meals Planned Out

Eating healthier is easy when you wear Invisalign. Since you need to wear your aligners around 20 to 22 hours each day, you have to plan your meals daily. As a result, you will be minimizing the time you remove your Invisalign. Throughout your treatment, you will slowly have a new and beautiful smile and better health and wellness.

5. Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal

If you want to keep your aligners in excellent condition, you need to brush and floss after every meal. Plaque and bacteria can easily form on your teeth after you’ve eaten, so eliminating them immediately will keep both your aligners and teeth clean.

Conclusion

Invisalign is an innovative dental tool that can make your teeth look better without the constrictions of traditional braces. By following these simple rules, you can maintain the integrity of your aligners and see an improvement in your overall well-being.

Founded by Dr. Greg Nicholson, the Cosmetic Dentistry of Murfreesboro has been helping locals get better and brighter smiles for more than 25 years. With the help of our full-service dentist, you can have a perfect set of Invisalign braces made just for you. If you would like to set an appointment with the best dentist in Murfreesboro, TN, contact us today.