You can eat pretty much whatever you want when you’re wearing clear aligners, but there’s a catch. You need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Once the aligners are out, your diet is entirely open. Pizza, corn on the cob, caramel apples, popcorn, and all those foods you might need to avoid with traditional orthodontics are back on the menu.
When you’re ready to start your orthodontic treatment at Floss Lincoln Park, Dr. Delone Jouja and Dr. Martha Silva will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for your clear aligners. This includes the simple step of removing them before meals and snacks. The freedom to take your aligners out means you never have to worry about food getting stuck in brackets or breaking wires while eating your favorite foods.
How the Eating Process Works with Clear Aligners
Remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Place them in their protective case while you enjoy your meal. This simple habit protects your aligners from damage and keeps food particles from getting trapped underneath them. After you finish eating, brush your teeth and rinse your aligners before putting them back in.
The entire process takes just a few moments but makes a significant difference in your treatment results. Clean teeth and clean aligners work together more effectively to move your teeth into their proper positions. Food particles left on your teeth can create problems when trapped under aligners for hours at a time.
Why Clear Aligners Need to Come Out When You Eat
Clear aligners apply constant, gentle pressure to shift your teeth. Food particles trapped between your aligners and teeth can interfere with this process. The pressure from chewing while wearing aligners might also damage them or affect how they fit. Most patients wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for meals and oral hygiene.
Removing your aligners for meals also helps prevent staining. Coffee, tea, red wine, and colored foods can discolor the clear plastic over time. Drinking hot beverages while wearing aligners may warp the plastic and affect how well they fit your teeth.
What You Can Drink with Clear Aligners In
Water is the only beverage you should drink while wearing your aligners. Room temperature or cold water won’t damage your aligners or affect their fit. All other drinks require you to remove your aligners first.
This includes all beverages with sugar, color, or temperature extremes. Sports drinks, smoothies, juice, soda, hot coffee, and iced tea should be consumed only after your aligners are safely stored in their case. Even clear drinks like lemonade contain acids and sugars that can harm your teeth when trapped under aligners.
Keeping Your Clear Aligners Clean
Rinse your aligners with cool water each time you remove them. Brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and clear, antibacterial soap. Avoid using toothpaste, which can scratch the plastic and make your aligners look cloudy. Hot water can warp the plastic, so use cool or room-temperature water.
Store your aligners in their protective case whenever they’re not in your mouth. Leaving them out in the open exposes them to bacteria and increases the risk of damage or loss. The case fits easily in a pocket, purse, or bag so you can keep your aligners safe wherever you go.
Planning Meals Around Your Orthodontic Treatment
Most patients adapt quickly to removing their aligners before eating. Plan your meals and snacks to work with your 20 to 22-hour daily wear requirement. Three meals plus one or two small snacks typically leave plenty of time for proper wear while giving you the freedom to eat normally.
Keep your aligner case with you at all times. Many patients find it helpful to pack a small kit with their case, a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. This makes cleaning your teeth after meals away from home much easier. The cosmetic dentistry options available at our practice include clear aligners that fit seamlessly into busy lifestyles.
Benefits of Removable Orthodontic Treatment
The ability to remove your aligners for meals is one of the most significant advantages of clear aligner treatment. You maintain complete control over what you eat throughout your orthodontic treatment. Social events, business dinners, and family celebrations become easier to navigate without dietary restrictions.
Your oral hygiene routine stays simple, as well. Brushing and flossing work the same way they did before treatment started. No special tools or techniques are needed to clean around brackets and wires. This straightforward approach to dental care helps maintain healthier teeth and gums during treatment.
Managing Orthodontic Treatment at Social Events
Remove your aligners before attending events where food or drinks will be served. Bring your protective case to keep them clean and safe. After eating, step away to brush your teeth if possible, or at a minimum, rinse your mouth with water before reinserting your aligners.
Most people won’t notice if you briefly excuse yourself to remove or replace your aligners. The clear plastic is difficult to spot even in conversation, so many patients find their adult orthodontic treatment goes largely unnoticed by others. This discretion, combined with dietary freedom, makes clear aligners an appealing choice for professionals and social individuals.
Getting Started with Clear Aligners at Floss Lincoln Park
Dr. Delone Jouja and Dr. Martha Silva will evaluate your teeth and create a customized treatment plan during your initial consultation. This plan shows you exactly how your teeth will move and gives you a clear timeline for your treatment. Most patients complete their clear aligner treatment in 12 to 18 months, though your specific timeline depends on your individual needs.
At Floss Lincoln Park, we serve patients throughout Lincoln Park and surrounding neighborhoods, including Wicker Park, West Town, Noble Square, and Bucktown. Our convenient location makes it easy to stop by for your regular progress checks. These brief appointments help keep your treatment on track and give you a chance to ask questions about caring for your aligners. Ready to learn more about orthodontic treatment that fits your lifestyle? Contact our team to schedule your consultation and discover whether clear aligners are right for you.
