Can You Eat With Invisalign? What You Should Know

In 2020, clear dental aligners made up a global market with an estimated value of $2.6 billion. Of these teeth-straighteners, Invisalign is one of the most popular. So much so that about 5 million people have had the treatment as of 2018.

Considering that it’s almost “invisible,” it’s no wonder many choose to get Invisalign. However, its providers also claim that the treatment can make it easier to eat.

So, can you eat with Invisalign trays still in your mouth then? What can happen if you bite and chew with them, anyway?

We’ll answer all those questions in this guide, so be sure to read on.

Can You Eat With Invisalign Trays Still In Your Mouth?

While you certainly can, it doesn’t mean you should, lest you want your aligners to crack. That’s because Invisalign trays consist of thermoplastic, a flexible yet thin material. Although durable, it won’t withstand the forces of your bite in the long run.

Keep in mind that the average human jaw can exert 162 pounds per square inch while biting. While that may seem weak, it’s enough to injure the skin and even joints and tendons.

Also, think about all those times you may have crushed ice or opened bottle caps with your teeth. If your teeth can do that to such hard items, then you can also damage your Invisalign trays if you eat with them.

Why Then Do Providers Say It’s Easier to Eat With Invisalign?

If you search for “top Invisalign providers near me,” you’ll notice most of them saying that removability is one of its main benefits.

It’s true: Invisalign trays are easy to remove, unlike traditional braces. With the latter, dentists need to glue the brackets to the teeth and loop the wires through the brackets. That’s why oral healthcare experts also call conventional braces fixed dental appliances.

Invisalign’s removability is the reason you don’t need to worry about food restrictions. So long as you take them off before eating, you can eat anything you want. Just remember to brush and floss after every meal, though, to help reduce your risks of cavities.

On the other hand, metal braces can make it hard to eat crispy, crunchy, or harder food like nuts and popcorn. The same goes for chewy or sticky food.

Doing so can make the brackets pop off or the wires loosen and slacken. There’s also the possibility of food getting stuck between the teeth and brackets. In short, traditional braces make it quite a feat to eat, brush, and floss.

What About Drinking?

It’s okay to drink water without having to remove your Invisalign trays. However, you need to take them off if you want to drink hot or colored beverages. For starters, heat can warp the aligners, while colored drinks like wine can stain them.

You should also brush your teeth after drinking and right before putting your trays back on. This is especially important if you’ve had coffee, wine, or cola. The food dye they contain can stick on your teeth and then transfer to your aligners.

Enjoy Your Favorite Food and Drinks

We hope this brief but concise guide has answered your question, can you eat with Invisalign? Now, you know that you can, but you shouldn’t, as doing so can crack, chip, or distort your trays. If they get damaged, your treatment may end up taking longer than the usual six to 12 months.

So, always make it a point to take your aligners off before eating and drinking (except water).

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