Invisalign is a non-invasive way to straighten crooked teeth with a custom-made plate that encases your teeth. Your treatment will involve several sets of retainers that you change every few weeks to support your teeth as they change position.
During this time you will, of course, have to eat. Invisalign retainers are not like braces – they can be removed while you eat and clean your teeth. Invisalign recommends using the retainers around 20-22 hours a day, leaving plenty of time for you to remove the retainer for meals and hygiene reasons.
At different times in your treatment, your dentists will recommend the best actions for you to take to get the best results from your treatment.
Can You Eat With Your Invisalign Retainer?
Invisalign aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth precisely, guiding them into a straighter position over time. Each set of aligners is slightly adjusted to match the shifting alignment of your teeth throughout your treatment. Typically, you’ll receive several sets initially—usually four for the top and four for the bottom—to help you progress through each stage smoothly.
To keep your aligners in optimal condition, it’s highly recommended to remove them while eating and drinking anything other than water. This not only prevents staining but also avoids potential damage. Hard or crunchy foods can cause cracks, and colored foods or drinks can stain the clear material, making your aligners more visible and difficult to clean.
Leaving your aligners in while chewing may also put excessive force on them, which they’re not designed to withstand. Damaged or stained aligners may need to be replaced, which involves additional costs and time. To protect your aligners and your investment, it’s best to take them out during meals and snacks.
What If You Eat Accidentally Without Removing Your Invisalign Retainer?
Because you wear the retainer for most of the day and night, it can be easy to adjust to the feeling and forget to remove it at meal times. It’s a good idea to establish the habit of removing your retainer in the early days of treatment so it becomes an automatic action.
Forgetting whilst eating soft foods is less of a problem than with hard foods. Hard foods require much greater chewing forces, and it’s possible your retainer won’t be able to handle the forces – causing it to break.
If you do eat with your aligner, make sure you give both your teeth and the retainer a thorough clean before wearing it again.
Avoid Breakages & Bacteria
Retainers create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you maintain good oral hygiene habits, this won’t become a problem. But if you regularly eat with your retainer in, and don’t clean properly, then it can lead to a build-up of bacteria with the potential to cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Some slight chewing action can help your retainer settle into your teeth fully, but even chewing gum while wearing your retainer can cause problems if you’re not careful. Dentists recommend removing your Invisalign plate for all eating and drinking – except when drinking water.
If you find you regularly forget to either remove your retainer or put it back in after eating, it may be that this treatment plan is not the best option for you.
Clear braces are a good alternative treatment, and now you can choose from traditional metal braces, Lingual (behind the teeth) options, or even ceramic for a less noticeable look.
If you would like more information, we at My Family Dental are happy to share our expertise with you and offer advice on how to get the most value from your Invisalign treatment. Contact us today.
