Foods to Avoid With Invisalign

Invisalign is an alternative to braces, allowing you to straighten crooked teeth without getting food caught on wires. With a system of clear trays called aligners, Invisalign progressively and gently straightens your teeth. One reason why Invisalign is so popular is that the aligners interfere less with speech and are virtually invisible. In the hands of our nationally renowned Invisalign Master, Dr. Benjamin Ahn, the results are simply breathtaking.

To ensure the best results, wear your aligners for 22 hours each day. Continue your proper oral hygiene by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing before bedtime. You will need to visit your dentist regularly, usually every two to four weeks, to monitor your treatment. You should also avoid certain foods and fluids.

Fortunately, the list of foods you can eat with Invisalign is less restrictive when compared with traditional braces.

What Can You Drink With Invisalign?

You can drink some fluids while wearing Invisalign aligners. The best liquid to drink is water because it is clear and cool. If you want to sip on some alcohol, clear spirits are ideal.

Avoid any dark liquids, such as juice, when you are wearing your trays. If a drink can stain your shirt, it can stain your aligners. You should also avoid sodas and sugary, acidic drinks. The sugar can get trapped under the trays, causing cavities and decay.

Be careful with hot drinks, as they can warp the aligners. Only choose cool or lukewarm drinks when wearing Invisalign.

One of the great benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. At 209 NYC Dental, we will provide you with a small, hard case for storing your trays. If you want a hot cup of cocoa, tea or coffee, simply remove the aligners, enjoy your drink and replace the trays afterward.

Can You Eat With Invisalign Braces?

It is best to remove your aligners while you eat so your trays can stay safe from damage and you can enjoy your food. Removing the trays also prevents food from getting caught under the aligners. Once your aligners are removed, you can eat what you like with few restrictions.

Foods You May Want to Avoid With Invisalign

While you can eat most foods once you remove your Invisalign trays, you will still want to avoid juices and foods that are acidic, sugary or hard and sticky as much as possible. Sugar, sticky foods and acidity can remain on your teeth after you have finished eating. When you put your trays back in, the residue on your teeth can lead to decay.

Some foods that stain Invisalign, such as carrots and colored candy, can also make your trays more visible, so you may wish to avoid them for the duration of your treatment.

We recommend avoiding the following:

• Chewing gum
• Jellybeans
• Caramels
• Chewy candy
• Hard candy
• Jawbreakers
• Hard-shelled bread
• Raw carrots

At 209 NYC Dental, we recommend following a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, chicken and fish while you are using Invisalign clear braces. This diet supports good overall and oral health.

Contact 209 NYC Dental to Learn More About Invisalign

The ability to remove your trays is one of the many advantages of Invisalign therapy when compared with traditional braces. You can continue to eat most of the foods you love. You can also clean and floss your teeth after you eat and before you replace your trays, helping you keep your teeth healthy.

Visit Dr. Ahn at 209 NYC Dental for a consultation about Invisalign therapy. You can contact us today to schedule your appointment or give us a call at 212-355-2290.