Arnold Dental – Foods to avoid during Invisalign treatment

Many people who undergo teeth straightening with traditional metal braces are given a long list of foods that they need to avoid during their treatment to not risk damaging the wires and brackets. One of the great benefits of clear braces such as Invisalign is that you don’t have to limit your diet, so you can still enjoy the foods you love during your treatment!

With that being said, you should make sure that you are always removing your aligners when eating or drinking (except for water), and there are still a few foods and drinks that you should think about cutting down on. In this post, our dentists in Nottingham will outline some of the foods and drinks you might want to avoid if you want to get the most out of your treatment.

Crunchy foods

Hard, crunchy foods such as raw carrots, nuts and hard-shelled breads should be eaten with caution as they can cause your teeth to break. If you are eating with your aligners in, these foods can cause them to chip and break, and they will need to be replaced to continue your treatment. We recommend softer breads, fruits and cooked veg instead to avoid damaging your teeth.

Sticky foods

Sticky foods such as sweets can also interfere with your teeth straightening treatment. These foods can get stuck to the aligners or between your teeth and cause buildup of plaque, tartar and bacteria. If you need a sweet treat, we would recommend something like a soft cookie, cake, or marshmallows.

Tea and coffee

Hot drinks such as tea and coffee are notorious for staining teeth and causing them to turn yellow. The same can be said for clear braces. Drinking these can stain your clear braces and make your teeth appear more yellow than they actually are. Drinking hot liquids while wearing your aligners can also warp the plastic and will not properly align your teeth.

Alcoholic drinks

Alcoholic drinks should be consumed in moderation for everyone, but especially so for those with clear braces. Red wines can heavily stain your aligners, and carbonated drinks contain lots of sugar which can cause your braces to become sticky and uncomfortable to wear. These acidic drinks are also bad for your general dental health, as they can erode tooth enamel and lead to decay.

Of course, you don’t have to cut out all of these foods completely – after all, one of the great benefits of clear braces is that you don’t have to! But if you want your treatment to be as quick and easy as possible, reducing how much of these foods you eat can speed up the process and avoid any potential complications during your treatment.

It’s also important to remove your braces when eating and drinking and remember to clean your aligners properly to keep them looking clean and working as they should.

Our team of dentists in Nottingham can help you to get started on your Invisalign journey, simply get in touch or book online to arrange a consultation for a straighter smile!