Clear aligners should be removed when eating and drinking.
There are a number of benefits for choosing clear aligners to straighten your smile — the treatment is very discreet and allows you to carry on with your day-to-day activities without the appearance of visible orthodontic appliances. Clear aligners are also very comfortable to wear because they are custom-made to suit each individual patient, plus they achieve great results. One of the reasons that many people opt for the treatment is convenience — clear aligners are removable, which means that they don’t interfere with normal brushing and flossing habits, and there are no dietary restrictions. But can you eat with clear aligners? Read on to find out why you should always take your aligners out when enjoying a meal or snack…
Prevent damage when eating
Although one of the perks of the treatment is that no dietary restrictions are necessary, it is important to remember to remove your clear aligners before eating. The force of your teeth when biting and chewing is strong and can cause damage to your aligners if they are in your mouth during a meal. Although clear aligners are made from very durable material, they are simply not designed to withstand excessive pressure. Remove your aligners before eating, and be sure to brush your teeth and rinse your aligners with water before putting them back in your mouth.
Stick to water
Clear aligners are a great orthodontic solution for individuals who would like to straighten their teeth without affecting the aesthetic of their smile. But in order to keep the aligners clear throughout the course of treatment, it is important that you don’t eat or drink anything expect water whilst wearing your appliance. If you eat or drink something besides water, you put your aligners at risk of stains and discolouration, which will affect the appearance of your smile. If you enjoy the occasional cup of tea or coffee, don’t forget to remove your aligner first — just try to limit the amount of time for which your aligners are out of your mouth.
Maintain oral health
If you eat with your aligners in your mouth, it is possible for food to get stuck between your teeth and the aligners. This can increase your risk of oral health issues, such as tooth decay and bad breath. Rather, remove your aligners before a snack or meal and don’t forget to clean your aligners regularly. It is also important that you brush and floss your teeth regularly to ensure that you maintain your oral health during your orthodontic treatment. Simply remove your aligners before practicing your normal oral hygiene habits, and put it back in when you are done. Remember that in order to enjoy the best possible results, it is important that you wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours every day.
How can we help?
At South East Orthodontics, we offer a range of orthodontic treatments, including clear aligners. We offer both Invisalign and Spark clear aligners — both treatments are effective and discreet.
If you are struggling with an imperfection such as crowding, crossbite, open bite, overbite, underbite, or a spacing issue, we encourage you to come in and see us. We will examine your teeth and let you know if you are a suitable candidate for clear aligners.
To find out more about clear aligners, their benefits, and the options available at South East Orthodontics, please have a look here.
If you are not suited for clear aligners, your orthodontist will let you know which treatment will work for you. We offer traditional braces, as well as ceramic and lingual braces. To see the full scope of orthodontic treatments that we offer, please have a look here. We treat patients of all ages, including adults who would like to straighten their smile.
To book an appointment, please contact us here or give us a call on 03 9330 0702. We look forward to welcoming you to our modern and comfortable practice.