When you choose Invisalign®, you are making a decision that will allow you to straighten your teeth without the metal wires or brackets associated with traditional braces. Invisalign is discrete, and because the aligners are removable, you can eat whatever you’d like, and brush and floss your teeth so they stay healthy and white.
However, Invisalign does come with some rules. While they are an efficient and invisible option to straighten your teeth, there are still some guidelines you should follow for the aligners to work properly. In this blog post, we are going to discuss some small restrictions associated with Invisalign.
Although
there are some mild
eating rules that you
have to follow while
wearing Invisalign,
at Hazel
Dell Dental
Care
in Vancouver, we think
it is more than worth
it. If you’re ready for
a straighter smile
without the hassle of
traditional braces,
contact us today for a
consultation. 
You Must Remove the Aligners to Eat
Invisalign comes with no food restrictions because when you eat, you remove your aligners. You can eat absolutely anything you want without your aligners on, as long as you clean your teeth after. Eating with your aligners on your teeth can break or damage them. You don’t want to be stuck waiting for new aligners rather than straightening your teeth.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth After Each Meal
Because you remove your aligners to eat and then immediately replace them, you must thoroughly clean your teeth after each meal or snack. You don’t want to trap food particles, plaque, or tarter underneath your aligners — that is a recipe for cavities. Ensure every time you remove your aligners you are flossing and brushing.
Aligners Must Be Worn 22 Hours Each Day
For your aligners to straighten your teeth, you must wear them for 22 hours every day. This seems simple enough, however, this means that your three meals, snacks, and teeth cleaning time each day must fit into two hours. When you first get your aligners, it’s best to plan out your meals and estimate the time required for you to eat.
Don’t Chew Gum While Wearing Your Aligners
When you take your aligners out, you can enjoy absolutely whatever foods you’d like and that includes gum. But when you have your aligners on your teeth, gum is off-limits. Attempting to chew gum with your aligners on will damage them. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some gum after a meal while your aligners are still off.
Be Careful of Drinks That Stain Teeth
Drinks like coffee, soda, and red wine that are known to stain teeth, may also stain your aligners. While one cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at the end of the day isn’t going to hurt your smile, if you usually drink coffee, soda, or red wine in excess, you may find a need to limit your intake while you’re wearing Invisalign.
Learn More About Invisalign from Hazel Dell Dental Care
If you have less than perfectly straight teeth, Invisalign may be a great option for you. The aligners are invisible so no one will know you’re even wearing them, and because they are removable, eating and cleaning your teeth is a breeze.
Even with the rules that we’ve discussed in this blog, they are really minuscule obstacles compared to the massive eating restrictions of traditional braces. If you would like to learn more about what to expect with Invisalign, read our previous blog post, “What to Expect When Choosing Invisalign.”
Contact Hazel Dell Dental Care in Vancouver today for a consultation to find out if Invisalign is right for you.
