What are some of your favorite foods? If you’re like many, hard tacos, popcorn, pretzels, corn chips, nuts, candy, hard breads, and pizza might make your list of preferred foods and snacks. How would you feel if you were told you couldn’t eat any of those things—and several other popular foods—for months or a year or more? If you need metal braces, that’s exactly what your orthodontist might tell you.
What would you think about orthodontic treatment that can produce results that are at least as good as those conventional braces yield while allowing you to eat and drink whatever you want? Believe it or not, there is such a treatment. And it’s known as Invisalign.
About Invisalign Treatment
Since it was introduced in the late 1990s, Invisalign treatment has improved millions of smiles for adults and teenagers alike. Invisalign uses clear aligners to gradually move a patient’s teeth into proper position. While a typical treatment plan may last 12-18 months, Invisalign patients may start to see promising results in just a few weeks.
Whereas metal braces are visible even from a distance, Invisalign clear aligners are hard to detect even when you’re talking to someone face to face. While people who wear braces usually have to restrict their diets, patients undergoing Invisalign treatment don’t have the same burden.
Dietary Guidelines for Invisalign
Although an Invisalign orthodontist won’t give you a lengthy list of foods you’ll need to avoid during your treatment, there are some things you should think twice about eating or drinking. There are also some behaviors you should reconsider. For starters, you should refrain from smoking, chewing gum or tobacco and consuming alcohol during your Invisalign treatment. Residue from these substances can stick to your Invisalign aligners and make your trays and teeth look yellow.
While you don’t have to avoid specific foods during your Invisalign treatment, there are some categories of food you may want to refrain from eating. Hard foods that may have a negative impact on the position of your teeth are one type of food you should avoid or eat rarely.
You may want to avoid spicy and icy foods as well. Ice can damage your teeth if you chew it while cold foods like ice cream can cause your teeth to suffer small or larger cracks. Because spicy foods are often acidic or they’re paired with acidic sides, you should consume them sparingly during your treatment if you eat them at all. Acidic food breaks down teeth and gums, which is why you should avoid it as much as possible.
In addition to avoiding certain kinds of food, it’s wise to limit or eliminate your intake of soda, coffee, and tea during your Invisalign treatment. While you can consume protein drinks during your treatment, you should drink them in moderation and be vigilant about brushing your teeth after having one.
Dr. Colin Webb: Your Trusted Invisalign Specialist
When you choose Clearsmile Orthodontics for your Invisalign treatment, you’ll work with our resident Invisalign specialist Dr. Colin Webb. Dr. Webb treats hundreds of people with Invisalign every six months, making him an elite Invisalign orthodontist.
We know you probably have a lot of questions about Invisalign. Look over our frequently asked questions now and contact us with any questions you might have about Invisalign so we can help you achieve your best smile.