Can you eat with Invisalign?

Can you eat with Invisalign in?

No. Cleveland Clinic says clear aligners should be taken out before eating or drinking and stored in a safe place meanwhile. It describes the wear schedule as 22 to 23 hours a day, removing them only for meals and for brushing and flossing. Healthline's article gives 20 to 22 hours and says to remove them only to eat or drink, brush or floss, or clean the aligners. The two figures differ slightly, so follow the schedule your own orthodontist gives you, since they know your case.

What happens if you eat with aligners in?

Healthline says that food and drink can get trapped inside the aligners, and bacteria can then build up along the teeth and gumline, which may lead to cavities. Liquids can also seep in and stain the aligners and teeth. The sources we read do not describe what happens to the plastic under chewing pressure, so we do not repeat claims about cracking from sources we could not verify. If you eat by mistake, remove the tray, brush or rinse, and put it back.

What can you drink with Invisalign?

Healthline says to take aligners out to drink as well as eat, and Cleveland Clinic gives the same instruction. Healthline notes that very hot water can warp the plastic, which may change the fit and slow progress, and that liquids can stain the tray and teeth. Our guide on drinking with Invisalign covers this in more detail.

What can you eat with Invisalign?

Because the trays come out, the sources we read do not set a list of banned foods. Healthline says teeth may be sore when the aligners are out, which can limit food choices, and advises avoiding hard foods. Plan meals so that you are not skipping aligner time, and choose foods that are comfortable when your teeth are tender after a new set. A long grazing habit means the trays are out more often, which cuts into wear time.

Cleaning before you put them back

Cleveland Clinic says to remove aligners when you brush and floss, and Healthline's information explains why: food trapped under a tray sits against the teeth. Brush and floss before reinserting the trays when you can, or at least rinse your mouth. Healthline warns that very hot water can warp the plastic, so avoid it when cleaning. Our guide on how to clean Invisalign explains routines in more detail.

What are chewies and do you need them?

The sources we read do not mention chewies, soft cylinders some patients bite on to help seat aligners. If your orthodontist gave you some, follow their instructions. We cannot say from our sources how or when to use them, so ask at your next appointment.

Sore teeth and attachments

Cleveland Clinic says common effects include pressure or soreness, especially with each new aligner, and that your orthodontist places small dental attachments on some teeth to help the aligners move them. Contact them for sharp pain, pain lasting more than a few days, bleeding or swollen gums, or a loose or poorly fitting tray. The page says aligners only work if you wear them as directed.

Why wear time matters

Cleveland Clinic says clear aligners only work if you wear them as directed, and that treatment takes discipline. It also says traditional braces may correct some problems faster, and that aligner treatment may take more time and more replacement devices to reach similar results. Every meal and snack that you take the trays out for is time they are not moving your teeth, so keep a simple routine and carry a case.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

Ask these at the start of treatment.

• How many hours a day should I wear my aligners?
• What should I do if I forget and eat with them in?
• How should I clean them and my teeth after meals?
• Are chewies part of my treatment?
• What counts as normal soreness, and when should I call?

Frequently asked questions