Can you eat with Invisalign in? No. Take the trays out every time you eat. Chewing can crack or warp them, and food trapped under the plastic sits against your teeth until you brush, which raises the risk of cavities. The routine is simple: trays out, eat, brush, trays back in. At Lansdowne Family Dental, Dr. Wael Elosta goes over this at the start of treatment. Below is why eating with aligners causes problems and how to plan meals around 22 hours of wear.
Why Can’t You Eat with Invisalign on?
You may be wondering – what’s the big deal if I snack or eat a meal with the aligners in my mouth rather than removing them?
There are a few key reasons why Invisalign providers recommend taking aligners out for eating:
- Food debris can get trapped around teeth – Bits of food around brackets with braces are unavoidable. With Invisalign, you have the advantage of removing aligners to eat cleanly and brush/floss after.
- Increased staining or odors – Food staining or smells getting absorbed into the aligner plastic is another downside of eating with them in.
- Possible damage to aligners – Biting into crunchy or hard foods while wearing Invisalign can sometimes crack, warp or scratch the aligner tray.
To get the most out of your Invisalign treatment, follow the guidelines around eating that we outline during your appointment.
When Can You Eat with Invisalign?
Does this mean you need to take out your Invisalign trays every single time you want to put anything other than water in your mouth?
Not necessarily. Here are some examples of “Invisalign-safe” foods and drinks:
- Water
- Coffee without milk
- Tea without milk
- Clear soda/drinks
- Clear protein shakes
As a general rule of thumb – opt for clear liquids if choosing to consume beverages with trays in. For any food, removal of aligners is recommended for proper oral hygiene and to prevent issues.
| Food/Drink Categories | Invisalign-Safe Options |
| Beverages | Water, clear sodas, black coffee/tea, clear supplement shakes |
| Dairy | NONE – Remove aligners first |
| Fruits and Veggies | NONE – Remove aligners first |
| Meat and Protein | NONE – Remove aligners first |
| Grains | NONE – Remove aligners first |
| Treats and Snacks | NONE – Remove aligners first |
- Clear liquids like water, clear soda, and plain coffee/tea are okay
- For any type of milk, juices, smoothies – take aligners out first
- All solid foods should be consumed without aligners in
Proper oral hygiene is key with Invisalign treatment to prevent issues like decay or gum disease. Removing aligners for eating makes cleaning teeth and trays much easier.
Caring for Your Aligners During Meals
Wondering what to do with your aligners when you take them out to eat? Follow these aligner care tips at meal times:
- Rinse aligners before removing: Rinsing with cool water helps clear away debris and prevents accidental swallowing/choking.
- Store properly: Place aligners in the Invisalign-provided case or a dedicated aligner holding container (not a napkin!) whenever out of your mouth.
- Clean your teeth and aligners: Brush and floss after eating, then use an aligner-safe cleaner before reinserting trays. This keeps teeth, gums and aligners fresh and clear of food bits.
- Put aligners back in: Don’t wait too long before wearing your trays again. Leaving them out for extended periods slows down treatment progress.
By following recommendations for eating, drinking, and caring for your Invisalign trays, you’ll be well on your way to a successful outcome.
Takeaways
To recap the guidance around eating with Invisalign aligners:
❌ No solid foods should be eaten with aligners in
❌ Most beverages also need aligners removed first for the best results
✅ Clear liquids are typically fine to drink with trays in
Always adhere to the specific food and drink guidelines from your treatment provider. Properly caring for your Invisalign trays and teeth during meals leads to better retention and less complication.
At Lansdowne Family Dental, we closely mentor our Invisalign patients on how to balance enjoying eating and drinking with achieving their best smile. Ask us any questions about eating and oral care recommendations with Invisalign treatment.
