es. You can eat with your aligners, but you SHOULD NOT!
These aligners are not designed for chewing food, although most of them are very sturdy and can withstand pressure. If you have to eat and just can’t remove them during your meal, make sure to follow some precautions:
What is the success rate of clear aligners?
- Allow me to repeat that it’s recommended to remove clear aligners before eating any food. Aligners can trap food particles leading to more plaque, tooth decay, and aligner damage.
- However, with removable aligners, you can briefly reinsert them to eat something quickly if absolutely necessary. Just avoid very hot, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods.
- After eating, thoroughly brush and floss your teeth before putting aligners back in to prevent residue buildup.
- Be very careful biting down while wearing aligners to avoid cracking or warping the plastic. Bite gently.
- Avoid any hard, crunchy, or chewy foods that could dislodge or break the aligners while eating. Items like nuts, seeds, popcorn, and apples should be avoided.
- Sticky candies or chewing gum can also adhere to aligners and be difficult to remove, so should be avoided.
- Dark-colored foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can stain aligners if consumed with them in.
- Some ortho providers recommend using Chewies after eating with aligners in to reseat them and avoid tracking issues.
Also, remember if you are taking your aligner out to eat, thousands of them are lost every year because they are mistakenly throughout with the napkin or tissue they were wrapped in during the meal. As you know, these aligners are very expensive.
Overall, eating with clear aligners is possible for quick convenience, but removing them to eat and cleaning properly after is recommended for best results and dental health. Follow your orthodontist’s specific guidance on wearing and eating with your aligners.
