Invisalign aligners are manufactured from a transparent, flexible thermoplastic polymer called SmartTrack. These aligners are utilized to treat teeth gaps, crowded teeth, spacing problems, and crowded teeth. Invisalign exerts pressure on the teeth over the course of several months to straighten the teeth. The plastic of an Invisalign aligner has a slight texture to it making them resemble the surface of real teeth. Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign has gained a lot of popularity because it is virtually invisible. This is especially true for adult patients whose jobs require them to frequently interact with clients. In addition, several celebrities have used Invisalign to discreetly straighten their teeth since they receive more attention than the majority of people. Over 13 million Americans have used Invisalign aligners to improve their smiles, according to Invisalign’s official website.
12 Things you can do during Invisalign Treatment
Many people have chosen Invisalign to straighten their teeth because Invisalign aligners have many advantages over conventional braces. These advantages include being a less conspicuous way of fixing teeth misalignment, being more comfortable to wear, having a shorter treatment time, being removable, and requiring fewer dental visits.
1. Can you chew gum with Invisalign?
Yes, you can chew gum during your Invisalign treatment as long as you take them out first. Before putting your aligners back on, make sure to properly brush and floss your teeth. Additionally, bear in mind that you should wear your aligners for about 22 hours every day for the best results.
2. Can you eat with Invisalign?
Yes, you can eat almost any food with Invisalign. However, you must always remove your Invisalign aligners before eating whether it’s a short snack or a big meal. This is because chewing and biting put pressure on the aligners. Clear aligners are not designed to withstand such chewing and biting forces. Your aligner trays can get damaged if you don’t take them out before eating resulting in a delay in your treatment.
3. Can you smoke with Invisalign?
Yes, you can smoke with Invisalign. But always keep in mind to take your aligners out when you smoke. Smoking while wearing aligners might stain the clear trays because of nicotine and tar. By taking out your aligners, you can prevent visible stains on your aligner trays. However, it is still advised to give up smoking during Invisalign treatment. In addition to the numerous oral and general health problems that smoking brings about, nicotine and other chemicals found in cigarettes can harm the structure of Invisalign and reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.
4. Can you drink with Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink with Invisalign aligners as long as you take them off first. Using Invisalign shouldn’t prevent you from occasionally enjoying your favorite drinks. Water can be consumed when using Invisalign aligners. On the other hand, coffee, red wine, and tea can all leave stains on your clear aligners; therefore, you must remove your aligners before drinking these beverages. Rinse your mouth with water before putting on your aligners.
5. Can you get Invisalign with crowns?
Yes, you can still get Invisalign even if you have crowns. Crowned teeth can be straightened effectively with Invisalign. Your crowns are precisely covered by and encircled by the aligner trays since they are custom-made for each patient. As a result, the movement of teeth with crowns will resemble that of teeth without crowns. Sometimes a tooth needs a small attachment bonded to it in order for it to shift properly. Attachments are tooth-colored dental pieces that are affixed to certain teeth. They effectively move teeth because they act as grips for the Invisalign aligners.
6. Can you drink coffee with Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink coffee with Invisalign. Simply take off your aligners before consuming coffee. The dark color of the coffee can stain your clear aligners if you don’t take them out first. Additionally, the heat from coffee might warp the aligners. This will make it more challenging for you to put on and take off your aligners, which will cause your treatment to be delayed.
7. Can you vape with Invisalign on?
Yes, you can vape with Invisalign as long as you take off your aligners before vaping. Your aligner trays can become stained if you vape while wearing them. Nonetheless, it’s still not a good idea to vape during Invisalign treatment. The nicotine and tar that remain in the mouth may stain the aligners even if you remove your aligners before vaping.
8. Can you whiten your teeth with Invisalign?
Yes, you can whiten your teeth with Invisalign aligners. However, it is recommended to follow your orthodontist’s advice before doing so. For optimal results, consider having your teeth whitened after your Invisalign treatment is over.
9. Can you drink alcohol with Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink alcohol with Invisalign as long as you remove your aligners before drinking. Red wine, dark beer, and other liquors can cause visible stains if you drink these alcoholic beverages while wearing your clear aligners. Additionally, drinking sugary drinks like cocktails and beers increases your chance of getting cavities, especially if you have aligners on. You must remember to rinse your mouth with water after drinking alcohol before putting your aligners back on.
10. Can you get Invisalign with missing teeth?
Yes, you can still get Invisalign aligners even if you have missing teeth. The majority of orthodontists normally recommend getting Invisalign prior to receiving restorative dental work. This is due to the fact that the remaining teeth may shift towards the gap left by the missing tooth in an attempt to fill it. As a result, there might not be enough room for a replacement tooth if the neighboring teeth are crowded or crooked.
11. Can you kiss while wearing Invisalign?
Yes, you can kiss while wearing Invisalign aligners. The biggest benefit of using Invisalign braces is that they are less conspicuous than traditional braces. You don’t have to worry about lips and tongues becoming caught in metal brackets. Additionally, because aligners are virtually invisible, your partner won’t know that you are wearing them.
12. Can you get Invisalign with wisdom teeth?
Yes, you can get Invisalign even if you have wisdom teeth. Removable clear aligners are still a suitable option for patients with wisdom teeth. Some patients can complete Invisalign treatment even when their wisdom teeth are asymptomatic. Asymptomatic wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that don’t create any problems.
All of these are achievable because Invisalign aligners are removable, making them easier to clean. There are almost no food restrictions as long as you take them out before eating and drinking as well as brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back on.
Published on October 25, 2022, Updated on January 11, 2023
