Many people who have traditional metal braces put on to straighten their teeth are given a lengthy list of foods to avoid while undergoing treatment, in order to prevent harming the wires and brackets. However, with an Invisalign treatment, you may still enjoy the foods you love because you do not have to restrict your diet. This is, in fact, one of the many advantages of this orthodontic treatment. But then, to be safe, you should always remove your aligners before eating or drinking. While this is the case, there are a few foods and beverages that you should think about cutting down on.
Actually, those who want to straighten their teeth without the inconvenience and appearance of traditional metal braces are increasingly choosing Invisalign treatment. The clear aligners used in Invisalign treatment are custom-made to fit the patient’s teeth, intended to be worn for at least 22 hours per day. As compared to other orthodontic treatment options, Invisalign stands out because it is flexible and comfortable to fit to the patient’s teeth and mouth, providing them with a virtually undetectable solution to a better-looking smile. With Invisalign treatment, you have the freedom to eat without worrying about your aligners interfering with your mealtimes and to clean your teeth and the appliance more easily and thoroughly.
And as mentioned, even if the aligners are removable, it is still important to be mindful of what you consume while undergoing treatment to prevent damage or discoloration. This article will highlight some of the foods that you should avoid when undergoing Invisalign treatment — such as sticky, chewy, hard, sugary foods, as well as acidic and colored beverages — in order to ensure that your teeth are straightened effectively and without issues. Read on to learn more.
Sticky or Chewy Foods
Sticky and chewy foods should be avoided during Invisalign treatment since they can easily become stuck in the aligners and make removal challenging. Eating these types of foods increases the possibility that the aligners will get damaged. Some examples of foods to avoid include gum, caramel, toffee, gummy candy, and other similar treats.Â
Sticky and chewy foods not only increase the chance of damaging the aligners but also make it more difficult to keep your mouth clean since food particles can quickly become caught in areas of your mouth that are difficult to access. This can cause the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria. As a result, avoiding certain foods while you have Invisalign treatment will help to ensure its effectiveness and guard against issues. If you are in need of a sweet treat, it is suggested to have a soft cookie, cake, or marshmallows.
Hard Foods
Another important factor of keeping your Invisalign aligners in good condition is avoiding hard foods. Hard foods might cause the aligners to fracture or break, which reduces their effectiveness in straightening your teeth. Nuts, hard sweets, popcorn, ice, and hard bread are a few examples of hard foods that should be avoided. These foods should only be consumed with extreme caution since they can permanently harm your aligners. Your treatment plan might even need to be delayed if you need to have fresh aligners created.
Also, if you are wearing aligners while eating, these foods may cause them to chip or break, necessitating the purchase of new ones in order to continue your treatment. Even chewy candies should be avoided since the residue they leave behind helps to feed plaque. Definitely healthier options include hard fruits and vegetables, but they should be sliced into smaller pieces. So, to prevent harming your teeth, it is advised to substitute softer breads, fruits, and cooked vegetables.
During your Invisalign treatment, you can keep your aligners in good shape and prevent any delays in the process of straightening your teeth by avoiding hard foods.
Sugary Foods
Limiting your intake of sweet foods is essential if you want to avoid tooth decay and cavities during your Invisalign treatment. Sugary foods might adhere to your aligners, making cleaning them more difficult. Consuming sugar causes the bacteria in your mouth to convert it into acid, which can erode the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities.
Candy, soda, and desserts are examples of foods and beverages high in sugar that should either be consumed in moderation or avoided altogether. To maintain a balanced diet, pick healthier alternatives such fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. You can avoid tooth decay and maintain the health of your teeth throughout your Invisalign treatment by staying away from sugary foods.
Acidic Foods and Drinks
Another important factor of maintaining your oral health while receiving Invisalign treatment is avoiding acidic foods and beverages. Your teeth’s enamel can be destroyed by acidic foods and drinks, increasing your risk of developing cavities and tooth decay. A few examples of acidic foods and beverages include citrus fruits, vinegar, and soda.
Acidic meals and beverages can also discolor the aligners, highlighting them more. It is important to minimize your consumption of acidic foods and beverages throughout your Invisalign treatment to prevent damage to your teeth and aligners. Instead, choose for non-acidic beverages like water or milk and foods like lean proteins, healthy grains, and veggies that are less prone to trigger acid erosion. Even while drinking occasionally is acceptable, doctors advise keeping intake to a minimum and always rinsing afterwards.
Therefore, you can ensure the effectiveness of your Invisalign treatment and preserve good oral health by avoiding acidic foods and beverages.
Colored Foods and Drinks
Your aligners may become stained by highly colored foods and beverages, which will make them more obvious and less discrete. Hence, avoiding consuming these is a vital part of keeping them.
During Invisalign treatment, colorful foods and beverages including coffee, tea, red wine, and others should be avoided. It is advised to brush your teeth and clean your aligners as soon as you can after consuming colorful meals or beverages to avoid stains. In fact, hot beverages like tea and coffee are infamous for yellowing and staining teeth. Clear braces fit this description as well. Consuming these might discolor transparent braces and give the appearance that your teeth are yellower than they actually are. Consuming hot beverages while wearing your aligners can cause the plastic to bend and affect how well your teeth are aligned.
Choose beverages with lighter hues, such water or clear sodas, which will also lessen the chance of staining your aligners. In order to keep your aligners discrete and undetectable during your Invisalign treatment while also maintaining proper oral hygiene, avoid consuming colored foods and beverages.
Key Takeaway
The use of Invisalign treatment can be a quick and handy approach to straighten your teeth. But then, it is important to watch what you eat while you are wearing it. Of course, you do not have to entirely avoid all of these things. In fact, one of the wonderful advantages of transparent braces is that you do not have to! However, cutting back on your consumption of these items will expedite the process and help you avoid any potential issues so that your treatment is as quick and simple as possible.
