Woman smiling and holding up her clear aligner If you've had experience with braces before, you know there's an extensive list of foods to avoid. Say goodbye to those days! With Invisalign®'s clear and removable aligners, your diet is no longer restricted. But you may be wondering: Can you eat with Invisalign? Is there anything you should avoid? This quick blog will talk about the five simple rules for eating and drinking with Invisalign. Let's get started!

1. Always remove Invisalign before you eat

Yes, your aligners are strong and durable. But they're not meant to undergo the pressure of chewing. Remove your aligners before eating anything. Otherwise, you risk damaging your aligners and disrupting your treatment timeline! The most significant advantage of Invisalign over traditional metal braces is that they're removable. You can eat what you want, whenever you want, but don't forget to remove the aligners first!

2. Don't chew gum with Invisalign

Wondering if you can chew gum with Invisalign? The quick answer: No. As previously mentioned, you want to remove your Invisalign before eating. This also includes chewing gum with your aligners on. The constant chewing motion and stickiness of the gum will cause your aligners to rub against your teeth and each other.

3. Water only!

No, this doesn't mean that you can only drink water during the duration of your Invisalign treatment (although the health benefits would be great)! But: Water should be the only beverage you consume with Invisalign on. Why? Your Invisalign aligners are custom-made to be transparent and discreet. Colored beverages such as coffee or wine compromise the integrity of your aligners. This will lead to discoloration in your aligners and cause your teeth to look stained. Plus: Sugary drinks can cause build-up on your teeth which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.

4. Plan out your meals

An extra benefit for Invisalign wearers is improved overall health. Since there aren't dietary restrictions to hard foods such as raw vegetables and fruits, you can choose to eat what you want. You may be wondering:
"What does this have to do with planning my meals out?
Remember:

Compliance is vital with Invisalign.

It typically needs to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, so planning out your meals in advance will help minimize the time in which Invisalign is out of your mouth. Not only will you achieve a beautiful smile at the end, but you can also eat healthier and boost your total wellness too!

5. Clean your teeth after every meal

Brushing and flossing after every meal will help keep your Invisalign aligners in tip-top shape! Bacteria and plaque form on your teeth quickly after a meal - so getting rid of them right away will keep both your teeth and aligners clean. Learn how to clean your Invisalign trays in our quick blog!

Where can I get Invisalign in Seattle, WA?

Love Your Smile is the leading choice for your Invisalign treatment. Our skilled dentists will discuss your smile goals and create a personalized plan to straighten your teeth. Enjoy the latest technology to map out and preview your new smile with Invisalign at our office. Love your smile now! Or: Our office is conveniently located in the Downtown Seattle area... This text opens a new tab to the Google Maps website..., and we welcome patients from the Greater Seattle area, including Lake Union and Belltown.