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Not only is Invisalign considered orthodontics, but it’s one of the very best orthodontic treatment solutions available on the market. Innovative, effective, and offering a whole range of benefits over traditional orthodontic treatments, Invisalign has become a highly sought-after option among people looking to achieve a picture-perfect smile. 

In this post, we’ll outline what to know about Invisalign as an orthodontic treatment option, including how it works, its effectiveness, and how it compares with traditional braces. 

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a brand of clear, removable aligners that help to correct teeth misalignment. They rose to prominence thanks to two key features: they’re removable, and they’re discreet. In fact, it’s possible that you know someone who is currently undergoing Invisalign dental treatment without even realizing it. Invisalign doesn’t just help to straighten misaligned teeth; it does so while also being mostly invisible!

During treatment, you’ll wear clear aligners which gently guide your teeth into the desired position. By wearing your series of clear aligners for 22 hours a day, you can have a beautiful, perfect smile in as little as 12 – 18 months. 

Understanding Invisalign as Orthodontics

Orthodontics concerns itself with the correction of dental irregularities, such as tooth misalignment or overcrowding. Any treatment that helps to correct those issues falls under the broader umbrella of ‘orthodontics.’

In the past, those treatments were generally limited to those traditional braces that were common in the pre-2000s area. Invisalign, which was launched in 1998, offered a new and innovative orthodontic treatment solution that provided significant advantages over those fixed, bracketed braces, especially for patients who only had comparatively minor issues that required fixing. 

The Benefits of Invisalign Treatment 

The most obvious benefit of Invisalign treatment is that it leads to a great smile! By the end of your Invisalign treatment, you’ll have perfectly aligned teeth that you’ll be all too eager to flash.

But of course, that result is also provided by other orthodontic treatments. So why do so many people look at Invisalign specifically when they want to improve their smile? Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits:

Invisalign is Practically Invisible

Don’t want to draw attention to the fact that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment? Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually undetectable, especially from a distance. 

You Can Take Them Out

In fact, not only can you take them out, you will take them out. You’ll remove your Invisalign aligner to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. That means you can eat all of your favorite foods while undergoing treatment.

Treatment Time Frames Can Be Short

While it varies from person to person, Invisalign treatment is generally pretty short, often taking as little as 12 – 18 months from beginning to end. 

You Can See What The End Results Will Look Like

Invisalign is advanced orthodontics, with little left up to chance. Your aligners will be created using digital technology, which will allow you to see what your teeth will look like once you’ve completed your treatment. 

Is Invisalign the Right Orthodontic Option for You?

At Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, our patients will often ask us, ‘Should I get Invisalign?’ 

There’s no hard and fast answer to that question, but if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign — that is, you can expect good results following treatment — then it’ll be worthwhile considering. Traditional braces may produce similar results, but the journey you’ll take to get there will be vastly different, and likely a lot less enjoyable, than if you choose Invisalign braces. 

How Invisalign Compares to Traditional Braces

As we mentioned above, Invisalign is an effective way to straighten teeth, but it’s not the only method. Traditional braces are still offered to patients wishing to get a picture-perfect smile. In some cases, these types of braces may be the only option, since Invisalign can’t correct all misalignment issues (though most patients do quality for Invisalign treatment).

But if you’re wondering, ‘Should I do Invisalign or traditional braces,’ then it’s important to remember that Invisalign offers a number of significant advantages over traditional braces.

For one thing, they’re virtually invisible. Plus, since they’re taken out for eating, there are no restrictions on what you can eat while you’re undergoing treatment. Additionally, treatment can be shorter, especially for straightforward cases. 

Exploring the Effectiveness of Invisalign

Of course, the long list of Invisalign benefits would count for little if they didn’t ultimately do what they were intended to do, which is to straighten teeth. 

Invisalign has been around for more than two decades, and during that time has grown to become one of the most popular orthodontic treatment solutions on the planet. And it didn’t get to that level because they’re mostly invisible — it did so because they result in picture-perfect smiles.

Though Invisalign aligners are generally comfortable to wear, they still exert enough force to move teeth into their new position. Provided you continue to wear your post-treatment retainer, you should have a great smile for many years to come. 

The Cost of Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment

As we’ve seen, there’s much to love about Invisalign braces. But how much do they cost? As with all orthodontic treatments, it’s not possible to give a clear answer to that question. The cost of your treatment will depend on how long treatment is required. The best way to find out how much Invisalign orthodontic treatment will cost is to book a free consultation with our team here at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics.

Tips for Maintaining Your Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign aligners require a little maintenance to stay clean and free of damage, which can help shorten the overall treatment time. It’s recommended to clean your aligners each night using lukewarm water, a soft toothbrush and clear hand soap. You can also remove any marks by soaking your retainer in a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 3 part lukewarm water for fifteen minutes.

You’ll be given a case for your aligner at the beginning of your treatment, which you should use any time your aligner is not in your mouth. 

For people who are quite reasonably uncomfortable with the prospect of traditional braces, Invisalign has become the obvious alternative. Yet nothing is without its complications and, for many new wearers, there is a concern over the discomfort and pain that some associate with wearing clear aligners.

The ability of Invisalign to straighten your smile while not being visible to the outside world is certainly a major selling point, but people who haven’t yet tried it will be keen to know: How long does Invisalign hurt? Will I be trading the visibility of braces for the discomfort of clear aligners? Here, we hope to answer these questions and others and provide some useful tips on reducing and stopping pain from Invisalign devices.

Invisalign Pain: How Long Does It Last?

It’s a reasonable question: how long does Invisalign hurt? If you’re going to make the decision to embrace a new way of aligning your teeth, you want to know what you’re going to be experiencing as you wait for it to work. And on the flip side of that, you’re prepared for a little pain; after all, your teeth are literally going to be pushed into the ideal alignment over time. Nothing like that can happen without a little pain. As long as it is a little, that’s a bargain we’re willing to make.

The self-reported experience of Invisalign users is that the answer to the question “How long will Invisalign hurt?” ranges somewhere between one and two weeks. That is how long the discomfort will be at its more intense level. After this time, you will notice it tapering off, and with every new aligner tray there will be less pain. There may be some discomfort for the duration of treatment, which you should be prepared for, but it certainly gets less the longer you wear the aligners.

Tips to Relieve Invisalign Pain

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While the wearing of clear aligners can be uncomfortable, especially at the beginning, it is important that you persist with the treatment in order for it to work. Of course, this will have you asking how long does Invisalign hurt all the more in the early days, but the pain isn’t something you just have to deal with. Taking steps to manage the pain can and will make a difference.

• Over-the-counter pain relievers can be a beneficial option when the pain is at its worst. Their use should be limited, but can make a big difference early on.
• Cold compresses placed next to the mouth reduce inflammation and minimize the pain that can result from it.
• Orthodontic wax, formulated to reduce the pain of wearing braces, can have the same benefit for Invisalign wearers.
• In the early stages of Invisalign use, changing your eating habits to eat more soft foods can reduce the stress on teeth and gums, and limit pain.

Managing Discomfort: Invisalign FAQs

Everyone has some questions about how Invisalign will feel, and it is important to be honest about the answers. So let’s look at the most commonly asked questions in this regard, and get some genuine answers to help set your mind at ease.

Why do my teeth hurt with Invisalign?

Invisalign and similar aligners are designed to gently push your teeth into place, and this will initially lead to some sensitivity. The pain will start to fade away within the first week, however.

What is the pain level when you first get Invisalign?

Most people describe the initial pain levels with Invisalign as “mild to moderate”. If we rate pain on a scale of 1-10, this is somewhere between a 2 and a 6. At the higher end, it’s certainly no picnic, but it’s nowhere near the top of the scale. And it will reduce quickly.

Could it persist for longer? 

There might be some mild discomfort beyond the initial few weeks, but it will be more of an inconvenience than a genuine pain. The one caveat on this is that if you suffer from sensitive teeth or have existing gingivitis, the pain may be worse and last for longer. We’d recommend a conversation with your orthodontist covering these questions before you begin treatment.

The Truth About Invisalign Pain

It’s not uncommon to hear things about Invisalign which make you think twice about starting treatment. Some people may well have initial negative experiences, and some may even discontinue treatment early on. This could lead you to believe that it is a generally painful treatment you won’t be able to bear. So let’s get some clarity on the kind of pain you may experience and what is (and isn’t) normal with Invisalign trays.

• Slightly over half of people who use Invisalign report some pain in the early stages, which they categorize as moderate discomfort.
• Only you can really define your own experience of pain or discomfort. You may feel it is worse than “mild” or “moderate”, and if so, you may need to speak to an orthodontist. If the pain is unbearable, don’t try to bear it; there may be a solution.
• You should not experience bleeding or facial swelling as a result of Invisalign use. If this develops, you will need to consult an orthodontist for further advice. Don’t wait for it to subside.

There are levels of pain and discomfort. You likely already know the difference between the kind of pain you can expect and can tolerate, and something that is more acute. If your aligners fall into the latter group, to the point where you are thinking “how painful is Invisalign supposed to be?”, then it’s likely you need to see about tweaking your treatment.

When Will Invisalign Stop Hurting?

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It is always difficult to answer questions about how bad a type of pain is, and how long it will last. The truth is that different people will answer the question “how long does it take Invisalign to stop hurting” differently. Giving an exact answer is not possible, and trying to do so can either make people more concerned, or give them unrealistic expectations. What we do see, time and again, is that people report relatively minimal pain which reduces in the first week of use, and by the end of a two-week period is barely there at all.

When you change trays, you may note that the pain comes back, but this usually is at a lower level than before, and it dissipates sooner. Naturally, all of these facts depend on your own experience to some extent. People differ when it comes to pain tolerance and the speed with which the treatment works, which can affect their experience with Invisalign. But if you are looking for a clear response to the question of how long does it take for pain to subside with clear aligners, then the best answer we can give is “it should start to reduce within the first week, and subside considerably by the end of the second”.

Coping with Invisalign Pain: What to Expect

It is normal to experience at least some discomfort when you begin using Invisalign. We mention this specifically because this is how things usually go. Not everybody does have this experience, but some have it worse than others. It is only right to prepare you for the possibility of some pain and to advise you on how much is normal. Assuming that you do experience pain with Invisalign, it is for the best that you are prepared for it mentally. If Invisalign treatment is working for you, the chances are that it’s going to hurt a bit.

If you can prepare yourself for this experience, then you’re likely to find that you can tolerate the pain, knowing that you will be seeing results from the treatment. Your orthodontist should be able to tell you how long you will need to use the treatment and what your pain experience should be like, but three things are more or less true for everyone:

1. Yes, it will hurt more in the beginning.
2. This should reduce a little within the first week, and then more as time goes on.
3. There may be some discomfort for as long as treatment continues, but it will be minor.

Somewhere in the region of 18million people have used Invisalign to fix their smiles. One in four of those are teenagers. Bear that in mind; would so many people use it for an extended period if it was generally seriously painful?

Clear Aligners and Pain: A Comprehensive Guide

By now you should have a decent general idea of the answer to the question of how long does Invisalign hurt. The experience of clear aligners and pain differs for everyone, but you should be prepared for some moderate pain lasting between one and two weeks. It should then subside, and although there may be some discomfort for the duration of treatment, it should be barely noticeable. Of course, if it becomes too much, it is always worth speaking to an orthodontist to get more information and hopefully remedy the issue. Your experience may vary, but the discomfort should not be too great considering the rewards.

Speak with Our Experienced Professionals

As Blue Diamond Plus Invisalign providers, we can confidently say that we treat more Invisalign patients here at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics than any other provider in the area. This means we’re used to providing treatment for a wide range of individuals. Book a free consultation with our team today to find out everything you could hope to know about Invisalign treatment.

If you’re considering Invisalign treatment, then you may be about to join almost 12 million people who have already taken this step towards a better smile. You may also be one of the 28 million adults in the US who currently smoke. 

Naturally, you may have one pressing question when pairing these two realities – ‘Can I smoke with Invisalign?’. Here at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, we have experience overseeing Invisalign treatments for people from all walks of life, including those who smoke and vape. In this article, we’ll provide everything you need to know about smoking with Invisalign. 

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Smoke and Invisalign: What You Need to Know

Can you smoke with Invisalign? The simple answer is no, at least not when your clear aligners are in place. As well as staining your aligners, smoking can lead to risks including gum disease. Ideally, you should take steps to stop smoking before you undergo Invisalign treatment. But does that mean Invisalign is no longer an option if you do continue smoking? Not necessarily. 

When you begin treatment, our experts will advise you on the importance of wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours daily to ensure results. This provides you with two hours during which you can remove your aligners for meals. Light smokers who smoke during these removal windows and brush their teeth before replacing clear aligners may still enjoy notable straightening benefits.

Heavy smokers should generally avoid this as they may end up taking their aligners out too often and delaying treatment or preventing results. In this instance, it’s always best to speak with our team to decide on the best course of action. 

The Impact and Risks of Smoking with Clear Aligners

Many adults opt for Invisalign because of the near invisibility of clear aligners. Unfortunately, the risk of staining is one of the main issues when smoking with Invisalign and can give your teeth a yellow appearance. Smoking with Invisalign can also result in prolonged treatment times, especially if heavy smokers exceed the recommended two hours of removal time each day, or if heat damage permanently misshapes plastic clear aligners. 

Smoking with clear aligners also poses potential dental health risks for the wearer, which most notably include – 

• Tooth decay: Smoking while undergoing Invisalign treatment can increase your risks of issues including tooth decay and even gum disease if nicotine gets caught between your teeth and the plate of your clear aligners.
• Root resorption: Ordinarily, your bone breaks down to move your teeth during Invisalign treatment but then rebuilds itself in a straightened position. Smokers are at increased risk from a rare complication known as root resorption where, instead of adjusting the bone, the body breaks down a tooth’s root to move it. Tooth loss can follow. 

How Smoking Affects the Effectiveness of Invisalign

Regularly smoking with Invisalign can affect the effectiveness of your treatment in a variety of ways. Most notably, the need to remove your aligners before smoking can prevent you from wearing them for the required 22 hours each day and thus delay results. The heat from smoking habits, especially weed and vaping, can also distort and permanently damage Invisalign aligners in some cases. It’s also worth noting that, in rare cases, smoking can result in an oral environment where you may experience comfort or fit issues with your clear aligner. 

Can You Smoke Weed with Clear Aligners?

Most advice about smoking with clear aligners revolves around cigarettes, but can you smoke weed with Invisalign? Again, this isn’t advised. For one thing, many people will smoke tobacco at the same time as weed, and this opens them to all of the risks discussed. People who smoke weed are also more likely to remove their aligners for longer periods while they smoke, which could prevent them from seeing an improvement after treatment. 

Can You Vape with Clear Aligners?

Over 9 million people now smoke vapes which, while initially marketed as a way to stop smoking, have since been found to pose health risks of their own. If you’re wondering, can you smoke vape with Invisalign, the answer is largely the same as with cigarettes. Vaping can also cause discoloration to clear aligners. People who vape also tend to spend longer smoking at any time, meaning that vaping poses an especially prevalent risk of exceeding daily Invisalign removal windows of just two hours. 

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Tips for Avoiding Smoking-Related Issues with Invisalign

It’s important to avoid smoking-related issues with Invisalign with the help of advice that includes – 

Stop Smoking

The best way to avoid smoking-related issues with Invisalign is to stop smoking. This is the only way to ensure that you don’t leave your clear aligners out for longer than you should. It’s also a great way to ensure healthier, stain-free straight teeth after treatment. 

Maintain Oral Hygiene

Improved oral hygiene is vital during any Invisalign treatment, but is especially important if you’re a smoker. As well as removing your clear aligners to smoke, you should brush your teeth well after smoking or vaping. You should also floss regularly to avoid potential issues like gum disease, tooth decay, and root resorption. 

Keep Your Clear Aligners Clean

It’s important to keep your aligners clean to avoid staining and also ensure dental hygiene. Because Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic, you shouldn’t clean them with hot water or abrasive methods. Instead, clean them using tepid water and an Invisalign cleaning product like Retainer Brite, which our experts can advise you on. 

Remove Your Aligners 

If you need to smoke, it’s always best to remove your aligners, as long as doing so doesn’t mean wearing them for less than the required 22 hours a day. For heavy smokers, this may mean limiting the amount you smoke to fit within meal periods where aligners are already removed. 

Speak with Our Experienced Professionals

As Blue Diamond Plus Invisalign providers, we can confidently say that we treat more Invisalign patients here at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics than any other provider in the area. This means we’re used to providing treatment for a wide range of individuals, including smokers. Book a free consultation with our team today to find out everything you could hope to know about safely smoking with Invisalign.

Removable Invisalign aligners are an increasingly popular choice for people seeking straight teeth without the restrictions of traditional braces. Because you can take them out, Invisalign aligners are especially great for ensuring that you can eat and drink throughout your treatment just like you did before. But, does this include beverages with the potential to stain, such as coffee?

If coffee means a lot in your morning routine and throughout the day, your first question before pursuing treatment is likely ‘Can I drink coffee with Invisalign?’ And, you’ll be pleased to know that the short answer is yes. 

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Coffee and Invisalign: Can They Coexist? 

You dream of straight teeth, but you also love coffee. Do you have to choose between them? Not with Invisalign.  With proper aligner care, Invisalign and coffee can be the perfect pairing.

If you’re worried, you can remove your aligners to enjoy a hot cup of coffee, as long as you don’t remove them for longer than two hours throughout the day. As our experts here at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics will tell you, you’ll want to keep your aligners in for at least 22 hours a day to give your treatment the best results.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Drinking Coffee With Invisalign

Do:

• Remove your aligners before drinking coffee: If you’re worried about drinking coffee with Invisalign, or you enjoy drinking your coffee when it’s piping hot, you can always remove your aligners beforehand. Do bear in mind, though, that you shouldn’t remove your Invisalign for any longer than two hours each day. 
• Use a straw: If you have a heavy coffee habit, then you may be best off opting to drink coffee through a straw. This can minimize contact between your drink and your aligners, reducing the risk of issues like staining. 
• Clean your aligners after coffee: To avoid plaque buildup and potential issues like staining, gum disease and tooth decay, you should thoroughly clean your aligners in lukewarm water after drinking coffee. 
• Rinse your mouth: You should always rinse your mouth well with water after drinking coffee, as this will keep your mouth fresh, reduce risks of staining, and remove any residual sugar that could otherwise lead to dental issues. 
• Brush and floss: Regular brushing and flossing is vital during any Invisalign treatment, but it’s doubly important when drinking beverages like coffee, especially if you take sugar. You don’t necessarily need to rush home to brush after every brew but do try to brush after drinking coffee where you can to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. 

Don’t

• Drink piping hot coffee: Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic and are designed to be a close fit for your teeth. With that in mind, you should always be wary of temperature when you drink coffee with Invisalign. In particular, avoid piping hot drinks and instead wait until they’ve cooled, or opt for iced coffee. 
• Remove aligners too often: Removing your aligners to eat and drink is one of the main benefits of Invisalign treatment, but results are reliant on you wearing aligners for at least 22 hours a day. Heavy coffee drinkers should make sure they aren’t removing their aligners too often as this can delay treatment. 
• Worry too much: Ultimately, you don’t need to worry too much about drinking coffee with Invisalign. This cutting-edge treatment makes it possible to enjoy your favorite food and drinks with ease.

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Iced Coffee and Invisalign: A Match Made in Aligner Heaven?

While you can drink whatever you like during Invisalign treatment, hot beverages do pose some risk of warping your clear aligner. This could result in permanent damage and potentially diminished results. If you love hot drinks but don’t want to take that risk, iced alternatives are a great option.

For instance, if you’re asking can I drink iced coffee with Invisalign, the resounding answer is yes. In fact, it’s often better that you do!  Iced coffee is also a lot easier to drink through a straw, which means there’s less risk coffee will come into contact with your aligners at all. 

Clear Aligners and Coffee: What You Need to Know

To recap, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a lovely cup of coffee as often as you want while seeking Invisalign treatment. Still, it’s vital to note that regularly indulging in hot coffee does pose some risks to your Invisalign clear aligners if you don’t take proper precautions, including possible staining, potential warping, and even the risk of delayed treatment during regular removal.

Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to avoid any of those risks, including simply – 

• Maintaining dental hygiene
• Regularly cleaning aligners
• Drinking tepid or iced coffee
• Drinking through a straw
• And more

In other words, Invisalign is the ideal dental treatment for you, even if you love a good brew. 

Ask Our Experts

If you still have questions, like can you drink coffee with clear aligners, then get in touch with our experts at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics by booking your free consultation today. As a Blue Diamond Plus Top 1% Invisalign provider, we’ll work closely with you to develop a fully tailored dental plan that always makes room for daily priorities like coffee. Straight teeth have never been easier to achieve! 

Clear aligner systems like Invisalign are an increasingly popular alternative to metal braces. After all, Invisalign is less noticeable, more comfortable, and requires less maintenance than conventional braces. 

When helping our clients decide which treatment option is right for them, one of the most common questions we receive is, “How much does Invisalign cost?”. Read more to learn helpful information you need to know before deciding whether it is a worthwhile investment for your smile!

The Average Cost of Invisalign

According to the latest findings by the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, the average cost of Invisalign treatments in the U.S is $6,000. However, every patient and treatment plan is unique, and your doctor will provide you with your cost based on your treatment needs and complexity. Dunegan & Cole makes it easy to estimate your costs by providing a cost calculator. 

What Factors Determine the Cost?

So, what exactly could affect the cost of your Invisalign treatment? Here are some factors to consider:

The Complexity of Dental Issues

A variety of pre-existing dental issues can become a factor that influences the final cost of your Invisalign treatment. For example, if your situation requires extractions to allow for more space to correct overcrowded teeth, additional fees are required for the procedure and a longer treatment time. Conversely, minor alignments will require a shorter duration, resulting in a lower price. 

Pre-Treatment & Aftercare Expenses

The quotes for a similar Invisalign treatment may vary from specialist to specialist, depending on whether they have included the pre-treatment and aftercare expenses that are commonly required for a complete treatment. Dunegan & Cole

Experience of The Orthodontist

The difference in costs for Invisalign treatments between various providers can also depend on the orthodontist’s experience overseeing the treatment plan. Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics is proud to be one of the only Invisalign Diamond Plus providers in Northern Virginia. This distinction is Invisalign’s way of recognizing that our doctors are in the top 1% of all Invisalign providers in North America. Dunegan & Cole brings this expertise to its 400+ Invisalign patients per year.

Is Invisalign Worth the Price?

This all depends on which treatment plan is right for your smile. However, Invisalign offers competitive pricing and several other benefits, as shown above.

If you decide to invest in your smile with Invisalign, at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, we are happy to help you figure out a suitable financing plan for your treatment plan. 

Want to get started or simply want to learn more? Give us a call at 703.753.4777 or request a complimentary consultation online.

Are you wondering if the eating restrictions for traditional braces apply for the revolutionary Invisalign clear aligners too? The short answer is no, you do not have to restrict yourself to a soft food diet that people with braces have to adhere strictly to. 

However, that is not to say you should go crazy with your choice of food and beverages or do not have to make some slight changes to your routine while in treatment. After all, ensuring that your Invisalign trays are well maintained is essential for an effective process.

To help patients new to the Invisalign process, here are some simple guidelines you can follow to ensure you get the most out of your treatment.

Always Remove Your Invisalign Aligners Before Eating or Drinking
While you can mostly still eat and drink what you want, one important reminder is to ensure you remove your aligners before every meal.

Why? The chewing pressure of your teeth can cause damage to your aligners over time if you leave them in while eating, while colored beverages like coffee, wine, and juices can cause stains as well. 

To avoid cracked, damaged, or discolored trays, we recommend you take them out before consuming any meal or beverage.

The only exception is plain drinking water. It is fine to leave your retainers in since it will not stain the aligners.

Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
Since your aligners are in your mouth most of the time apart from mealtimes, you want to make sure that they do not trap unwanted food particles and bacteria while in your mouth. 

The best way to avoid such a situation? Brush and floss your teeth after every meal to ensure that your aligners are covering clean and healthy teeth.

Types of Food and Drinks to Avoid
While the benefit of the removable nature of Invisalign aligners is that you can continue to indulge in your favorite food and drinks, there are still some types of food and drinks we would recommend you avoid during your treatment.

Super-hot or cold beverages 
Try to consume room temperature beverages since super-hot or cold drinks can cause the distortion and warping of your aligner trays – affecting your treatment.

Dark Colored Beverages 
Even without braces, dark-colored drinks like coffee and wine are top culprits for staining teeth. With aligners in place, it is only encouraging the staining process if the liquids are trapped between the aligner and your teeth for a long period.

Hard, Sticky, and Chewy Food
Nuts, jawbreakers, and veggie sticks are types of hard food that could apply enough pressure to move your teeth in unplanned directions or even cause cracks in them. As you can imagine, that would set back your treatment quite a bit, so make sure to avoid that.

Sticky and chewy food, on the other hand, can stick to the surfaces of your teeth causing an unwanted build-up of plaque and tartar over time. If you are not diligent in brushing your teeth after every such snack, you could be setting up yourself for tooth decay in the long run.

Have More Questions About Our Invisalign Treatment? 
Check out our helpful guides and tips over on our blog! 

Ready to start treatment? Dunegan & Cole is a Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider. Call today to get started 703.753.4996 or request a complimentary consultation online!