Unlike traditional braces, life with Invisalign is much less of a hassle to deal with. Getting that perfect smile you have always wanted doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice and make major adjustments to your lifestyle, your schedule or menu. Follow the good eating and drinking habits to observe with Invisalign in this article, and you and your Invisalign are good to go!
Brushing Your Teeth
After every meal, it is mandatory to brush your teeth before putting on your Invisalign. It is a nightmare putting your Invisalign back in without brushing after eating, because food particles can get trapped against your teeth by your Invisalign and can lead to rapid tooth decay – which is something you definitely don’t want to deal with.
In the event that you are unable to do a full brushing and flossing session after eating, rinse your mouth at the very least with water before putting your Invisalign back in place.
Crunchy or Hard Food
Invisalign is not your typical traditional braces where no hard or crunchy food is allowed. All you have to do is to remove your Invisalign and you can get to enjoy all the delicious hard and crunchy snacks to your heart’s content such as nuts, pretzels and potato chips. If you insist on eating crunchy and hard snacks with your Invisalign on, you risk having to pay an extra visit to the orthodontist and getting your Invisalign fixed!
Removing Invisalign When Eating
If you notice your gums start to go dark brown or black in a short space of time and you do not smoke, it may be due to your body producing more melanin than usual. This may indicate something else is going on in your body and you should consult your medical practitioner. It is not always a sign of a medical issue, but sometimes it can be, so forearmed is forewarned. Addison’s Disease is one condition that can show up with hyperpigmentation of the gums, but this will generally be accompanied by other symptoms as well.
Limit Snacks
One of the biggest things for a snack lover to adjust and adapt to when wearing Invisalign is cutting down on the snack intake. While it can be tempting to try and snack with your Invisalign on, it is definitely not a good idea. Food particles can get stuck between your teeth and your Invisalign which can lead to a more rapid tooth decay.
Drinking With Invisalign
When wearing Invisalign, drinks of any sorts other than water are not allowed. Sugary and alcoholic drinks can cause plaque to build up while you have your Invisalign on. Hot beverages are also not allowed when wearing your Invisalign as you risk staining or discoloring your Invisalign trays. In addition, the temperature changes can cause the Invisalign trays to break more easily.
Dr. Alex Rubinov is an experienced dental practitioner in New York who can offer a range of dental services, including Invisalign, cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics. If you are interested, feel free to contact us today at (718) 253-0800 for an appointment.