Are you considering Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth and get that beautiful smile? If so, it’s important to understand what eating habits are necessary for a successful treatment.
Dental hygiene and diet can directly affect the results of your orthodontic treatment. Therefore, it is essential to be conscious of which foods help or hurt your progress when wearing aligners.
In this blog post, we will discuss foods you can and can’t eat while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Keep reading to learn more!
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What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a revolutionary teeth straightening treatment option engineered to help people achieve beautiful, healthy smiles without needing traditional metal braces.
It can address orthodontic issues such as:
- Crooked teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Teeth misalignments
- Gaps in teeth
Invisalign aligners are made of durable, clear materials designed to fit over teeth and can be removed for short periods throughout the day. The invisible aligners gently shift teeth into the desired position by applying gentle pressure on the teeth. They usually take shorter treatment times than regular braces.
In addition, Invisalign treatment is extremely discreet, which is advantageous for those who wish to keep the process private, leading to improved confidence and self-esteem.
With Invisalign’s series of comfortable aligners, you can get a beautifully straight smile without compromising your lifestyle or appearance.
Should I Change My Diet When Wearing Invisalign?
Generally speaking, the removable nature of Invisalign offers a level of flexibility and convenience that other methods of dental alignment cannot match – allowing patients to take out the aligners and enjoy their favorite foods without fear of damage or extra added cleaning.
While it’s still important to follow your dentist’s instructions, such as avoiding certain hard-to-eat foods like apples, crunchy snacks, popcorn kernels, nuts and candy, changing your diet drastically is not necessary with Invisalign – except in cases where dental health might be compromised due to excess sugar consumption. Ultimately you should discuss any changes in eating habits with your dentist prior to deciding whether or not they are right for you.
Which Foods Are Safe to Eat During Invisalign Treatment?
While Invisalign treatment does not impose a strict Invisalign diet, the process still affects how you eat. In general, even if you remove your aligners before eating, it is still recommended that you avoid hard or crunchy food to avoid straining your teeth, which may feel sensitive due to movements caused by the aligners. Instead, opt for softer options, including:
- Applesauce
- Canned tuna or salmon
- Cooked carrots
- Cold foods like ice cream
- Mashed potatoes
- Peanut butter
- Scrambled or soft-cooked eggs
- Seasoned fish
- Slices of tender steak or chicken (cut into small pieces)
- Smoothies or shakes (without chunks or chunks removed)
- Soft cheese
- Soft fruits such as avocados and bananas
- Soft whole grains like oatmeal and couscous
- Squash
- Yogurt
- Water
Invisalign treatment should not cause a huge change in your food choices. If you have questions or concerns about what foods are safe to eat during Invisalign treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact your orthodontist for further advice and guidance.
What Foods Should I Avoid if I Am Undergoing Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign treatment requires commitment and extra care. This extends to your diet or what foods you should avoid eating while you are undergoing Invisalign treatment.
Regarding food restrictions, here is a list of foods to avoid with Invisalign:
- Acidic foods
- Chewy candy like caramels, taffy, licorice and gummies
- Sugary foods
- Crunchy foods and hard snacks such as popcorn kernels
- Hard crackers and chips
- Whole apples and other crunchy fruits and vegetables
- Gum or bubble gum base products
- Hard bread and rolls
- Tough meats (i.e. steak)
- Hard taco shells
- Shellfish like lobster tails
- Hot beverages
- Liquids that may cause discolouration (curry sauce, soy sauce, tomato sauce)
- Sugary drinks
- Alcoholic drinks
- Ice cubes
To make Invisalign treatment go as smoothly as possible, remember which foods to avoid with Invisalign. Brushing your teeth after every meal or snack before putting your aligners back on is important.
What Are the Consequences of Eating With My Invisalign On?
Eating while wearing your Invisalign aligners can have consequences that include:
- Staining:
Staining can occur as a result of eating food or drinking beverage with colourants (e.g., tea or coffee). - Wear and tear on the aligners:
With continuous use while eating, the aligners may wear down and no longer fit correctly or function properly. - Breakage of the mechanical components:
If mechanical components such as clasps or buttons are included in the aligner treatment, eating can cause those to break. - The buildup of Plaque in your mouth:
Eating with aligners prevents saliva from washing away bacteria and traps food debris under the aligners. - Damage to the aligners:
Food can get stuck in, around, and under the aligners, causing damage that may be difficult to repair.
It is important to remove your aligners before eating so that consequences like those mentioned do not occur. Do not forget to brush your teeth before putting your aligners back to avoid food particles being stuck between your teeth and the aligner. This can increase the risk of bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease.
Final Thoughts
When choosing what to eat with Invisalign, you don’t have to make any major changes for the most part. Fortunately, you still have plenty of delicious options that won’t risk damaging your aligners or teeth.
To create an ideal Invisalign diet, focus on less dense and chewy foods. Stick to softer bite-sized and lower-sugar options to keep your teeth healthy and your Invisalign progressing properly while still satisfying your appetite.
If you have questions about which foods are safe for Invisalign, don’t hesitate to call Comfort Care Dental to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to help you create an optimal diet for a successful dental treatment.
Thanks for reading, and we hope this article has helped clear up some of the common misconceptions about Invisalign and food.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, Invisalign treatment typically costs between $6,000 and $9,000. Depending on the severity of the misalignment and how long you will need the treatment, some orthodontic patients may find that their bills run higher than that.
However, with affordable monthly payments available and costs varying from specialist to specialist, it’s easier than ever to make sure you’re receiving quality care at an affordable price.
Taking into consideration how much time and effort is saved with the process, plus the end result of straighter teeth and a beautiful smile, Invisalign can be worth the investment.
Invisalign treatment can vary in cost depending on various factors, such as:
- The number of aligners needed
- The complexity of your bite problem
- Any extra fees associated with the Invisalign process
- The geographical location
- The orthodontist’s experience and expertise
- Insurance coverage
Invisalign is a long-term investment. You’ll want to understand all potential costs before starting your Invisalign journey.
The answer to this depends on the specific policies of your health fund, as different funds have different coverage plans. Some funds may cover Invisalign up to a set amount annually, while others will not provide any Invisalign coverage.
Check with your health fund for the specifics of their Invisalign coverage and any requirements you need to meet for them to cover the treatment.
Invisalign treatment is considered a higher-end orthodontic solution compared to traditional braces. As such, Invisalign can be quite expensive. The primary reasons that Invisalign is so costly are its:
- Innovative design
- Highly specialised materials and customisation
- Detailed tracking of the patient’s progress
- Invisalign’s network of dental professionals
The Invisalign system uses 3D technology to produce an effective teeth realignment process through a high-quality product that patients receive with their personalised Invisalign treatment plan.
In addition, Invisalign products are made from advanced materials called SmartTrack that further help with improved comfort, effective tooth movement, and expedited precision alignment results.
Finally, Invisalign’s professional network comprises certified professionals such as orthodontists and dentists trained to offer Invisalign treatments. The combination of these factors makes Invisalign a much more expensive option than traditional braces or other products on the market.