If you’ve recently been fitted with Invisalign, your orthodontist may have told you a bit about eating and drinking as you progress through treatment. However, there are some tips that are very important to always follow.
Eating with Invisalign Attachments
The great news is that you can eat almost anything you wish with Invisalign because these braces aren’t like traditional braces. Traditional braces have metal brackets attached to each tooth, with wires installed between each of them. Food can become caught or stuck underneath brackets, and there is the risk of the brackets and wires coming loose when you eat certain foods while wearing them.
With Invisalign, all you need to do is remove the braces when you want to eat. However, you still should avoid crunchy or sticky foods while you’re wearing them. Also, because Invisalign needs to be worn up to 22 hours per day, the faster you can eat a meal or snack, the sooner they can be put back on.
The general rule is to ensure that you’re not wearing them for less than 20 hours daily. Of course, being able to eat whatever you want still means you’ll have to clean your teeth and your braces properly. More on that later.
Drinking with Invisalign
Drinking liquids while wearing Invisalign braces is different from eating with them. That’s because the temperature of some liquids can cause damage to the plastic these braces are made of. If you’re drinking room temperature or cool water, for example, then it’s perfectly fine to wear your Invisalign braces.
However, if you’re drinking hot beverages like coffee, it’s very important to remove your braces beforehand, as the heat will cause your braces to warp. This is the last thing you want. Once warping happens, your braces will no longer fit the way you need them to, which can make your mouth feel very uncomfortable and delay your treatment progress.
Caring for Your Mouth and Braces
Even though you’re wearing removable braces, ensuring your mouth and teeth are as clean as possible is just as important as it would be if you were wearing traditional braces. Because Invisalign braces sit over your teeth for several hours, you’ll want to brush more often. Travel toothbrushes are great for keeping teeth clean during the day.
You’ll want to clean your teeth and braces thoroughly every morning and each night before bed. A toothbrush with soft bristles and a bit of soap are all you need. Every time you need to remove your braces, give them a good rinse with warm water to eliminate any build-up of acidic plaque and saliva.
Now that you know all about drinking and eating with Invisalign attachments, you’ll want to ensure your teeth are getting the best care possible. Labbe Family Orthodontics offers the latest orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign, at all of our locations. We always treat you like family. Just call 410-267-7300, and you’ll discover that life is better with a smile.
