Clear Guidelines for a Smooth and Successful Treatment
Invisalign aligners offer a convenient and discreet way to straighten your teeth—but they also come with specific rules about what you can eat and drink. Following these guidelines is essential to protect your aligners, maintain oral hygiene, and ensure your treatment stays on track.
Let’s break down what’s allowed, what to avoid, and how to care for your aligners when eating and drinking during Invisalign treatment.
🥤 Can You Eat or Drink with Invisalign On?
Short answer:
- Eating: ❌ Never eat while wearing Invisalign
- Drinking: ⚠️ Water only is safe to drink while wearing Invisalign
Clear aligners are made from a medical-grade thermoplastic material that can be damaged, stained, or warped by food and other beverages. To avoid complications, always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water.
✅ What You Can Drink with Invisalign On
1. Cool or Room-Temperature Water (✓ Safe)
Water is the only beverage you can safely consume while your aligners are in. It keeps you hydrated and helps rinse your mouth.
Tips:
- Avoid hot water—it can warp the aligners
- Carry a reusable water bottle to help keep your mouth clean between meals
❌ What to Avoid Drinking with Aligners In
| Beverage | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Coffee, Tea | Can stain aligners and trap sugars/acids against your teeth |
| Soda (Regular or Diet) | Contains sugar and acid that can cause decay and discolor aligners |
| Juice | High in sugar and acid, contributing to cavities and aligner staining |
| Sports/Energy Drinks | Typically acidic and sugary—harmful to enamel when trapped under aligners |
| Alcohol (Beer, Wine, etc.) | Can stain aligners and dry the mouth, increasing risk of decay |
| Hot Liquids | May warp or deform the plastic aligners |
Always remove aligners before drinking anything other than plain water. If you drink something sugary or acidic with them on, it creates a sealed environment that can accelerate tooth decay.
🍽️ Eating with Invisalign: What You Should Know
Remove Your Aligners Before Eating
Always take out your aligners before consuming any food—solid or soft, snacks or meals.
Why?
- Food can damage or crack aligners
- Chewing with aligners on can distort their shape
- Food particles can get trapped, causing bad breath, decay, or gum issues
After Eating:
- Brush your teeth before putting aligners back in
- If brushing isn’t possible, rinse your mouth and aligners with water
- Avoid putting aligners back in with food debris or sugar on your teeth
🍬 Can You Chew Gum with Invisalign?
No.
Chewing gum with Invisalign aligners is not recommended. It can:
- Stick to the plastic
- Warp or damage aligners
- Interfere with tooth movement
If you want fresh breath, opt for sugar-free mints after removing your aligners.
🍓 Snacking and Invisalign: Tips for Teens and Busy Adults
If you snack frequently or have a busy lifestyle, Invisalign may require a mindset shift:
Helpful Habits:
- Plan meals and snacks together to limit how often aligners are removed
- Brush after meals or carry a travel toothbrush and rinse kit
- Avoid grazing or sipping throughout the day—prolonged aligner removal slows treatment
🕒 Invisalign Wear Time and Meals
To stay on schedule with your Invisalign plan, you must wear your aligners 20–22 hours per day.
That leaves about 2–4 hours daily for eating, drinking (non-water), brushing, and aligner care.
Spreading meals across the day helps maintain your wear time and minimize delays.
🧼 Cleaning Your Aligners After Meals
Before reinserting aligners:
- Brush your teeth (or rinse thoroughly)
- Clean the aligners using:
- Invisalign cleaning crystals
- Gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush
- Clear, unscented soap (avoid toothpaste—it’s abrasive)
- Avoid hot water—it can warp the aligners
📝 Final Tips for Success
- Stick to water while aligners are in
- Remove aligners every time you eat or drink (unless it’s water)
- Brush or rinse your mouth before reinserting aligners
- Keep a travel dental kit with you at school, work, or when going out
- Avoid excessive snacking to maintain wear time
💬 Final Thoughts
Eating and drinking with Invisalign is simple once you get into a routine. By following these clear do’s and don’ts, you’ll protect your aligners, keep your mouth healthy, and ensure your treatment stays on track for a beautiful smile.
