The difficulty of braces is that you cannot eat whatever you want. One of the most appealing conveniences that Invisalign offers is that the aligners are removable. Patients must remove their Invisalign aligners when they eat or drink anything besides still water. Since teeth must be thoroughly brushed before you put your aligners back in, you may need to start planning meals and snacks a little more than usual. Don’t worry; we have put together a few tips and tricks to help you get through your Invisalign treatment while maintaining a healthy, delicious diet!

Eating with InvisalignBreakfast

You might normally find yourself eating breakfast on the go as you head to school or work in the morning, but eating in the car isn’t an excellent option for patients with Invisalign. This is because you need to brush (and ideally floss) your teeth right after every meal before you put your aligners back in. Since you probably start most mornings at home, we recommend waking up a few minutes earlier than usual to give yourself time to eat breakfast before you leave for the day. That way, you’ll have a chance to brush and floss your teeth after your meal. Worst case, you can always bring a travel kit that holds a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. 

This will be beneficial while you are on the go. 

To save time in the morning, try meal prepping the night before! You can make overnight oats, enjoy them hot or cold the next morning, or make some yummy egg muffins to pop in the microwave! Quick meals like yogurt or cereal are effortless to make! Even packets of microwave oatmeal are quick, easy, and delicious. 

Lunch and Snacks

Eating during the day can be a little more complicated, especially since most of us don’t get the chance to come home from school or work for lunch. If you’re usually out and about during the day, be sure to pack your clear aligner case and a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss with you wherever you go! 

Since you probably won’t be able to clean your teeth as thoroughly at work or school as you would be able to at home, opt for foods that are less likely to stain your Invisalign aligners. For example, choose cheese sauce over tomato sauce, and be aware of super pigmented foods like beets and berries. 

If you eat these kinds of foods, you can purchase and take teeth whitening toothpaste with you. Remember not to use that toothpaste when you have to clean your aligners. They may become cloudy. We also recommend foods that you can cut up into bite-sized pieces and eat rather than foods you have to bite and tear into, as you will be less likely to get food particles lodged between your teeth with bite-sized portions. They’re also gentler on your teeth, which may be tender from shifting.

The same suggestions apply to on-the-go snacks throughout the day. Options like yogurt, fruit, soft granola bars and nuts make great snacks! Anything that can be eaten relatively quickly and packs a lot of nutrition is ideal. Even if it’s just a snack, be sure to brush your teeth before promptly putting your aligners back in.

Dinner

If you’re eating dinner at home, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to soak your aligners in their cleaning solution while you eat! This is also a chance to indulge in some of the tougher to chew foods, like steak or corn on the cob, as you will have more time to thoroughly clean and floss your teeth in the comfort of your own home before you put your aligners back in for the night. 

If you are eating out at a restaurant for dinner, the same tips and tricks from breakfast and lunch apply. Bring your aligner case and toothbrush, and consider ordering less pigmented foods that will also be less likely to get stuck between your teeth. If you are drinking red wine or dark-colored drinks, try to use a straw to prevent staining. 

We hope these Eating with Invisalign tips and tricks help you get used to your life with Invisalign! Eating doesn’t have to be a chore, and Invisalign helps to make your life easier. If you have any questions or feel ready to start your treatment, give us a call! If you are ready to schedule an appointment with us, feel free to check out our Smiles Orthodontics website.