Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth using nearly invisible, removable, plastic tray aligners. Both young and old can use Invisalign as an improved alternative to braces. Those who need straighter teeth, or solution to crossbites, open bites, underbites, and other forms of malocclusions can go for Invisalign. Besides, modern technology has improved Invisalign to give people a smile that's beautiful and healthy.
Your daily life is not interrupted when you use Invisalign. As a matter of fact, you can party, engage in sports, and other activities, and nobody will notice your clear aligners. One beautiful thing about Invisalign versus braces is that the wearer is very comfortable and it's very hard for someone else to see the aligners.
Invisalign is designed with innovative technology, yet you have to be careful in handling them, especially when it comes to the things you eat and drink.
What's safe to drink with Invisalign?
- Room temperature or cool water
What's not safe to drink with Invisalign?
- Tea
- Wine
- Soda
- Beer
- Any other alcoholic drink
- Hot water
- Milk
- Carbonated sparkling water
- Other carbonated beverages
- Everything else
For optimum results, drink only water
The only safe drink you can have while using Invisalign is water! Yes, water has great benefits: safeguards your aligners and teeth, and give you great results within the expected period.
So, while using Invisalign, you need to exercise care and self-discipline by wearing them for at least 22 hours per day, and keeping your teeth and aligners out of harm's way since they are expensive. Of course, you would love to have value for your money. If you want great results, water should be your only drink! Why are we saying this? Let's illustrate the importance of this using your morning coffee as an example.
You must remove your aligners to keep it safe as well as your teeth before taking your coffee. Due to the hotness of the coffee, it can warp your aligners while your teeth get stained with the caffeine. However, should you remove your aligners, you might be without them for 30 minutes or more. This time increases rapidly. Being without your aligners for more than 2 hours can jeopardise your chance of getting optimum results with Invisalign.
But why should you drink just water?
Asking you to stick to drinking just cool water with Invisalign is not really a good enough reason. See more reasons why it is important:
- If you drink other liquids except for water with your aligners on, there is a risk of liquid seeping between your aligners and teeth to trigger conditions for tooth decay
- Any hot liquid can warp the aligners
- Other drinks except water can stain your aligners
Now, you know that any other drink aside from water is a potential danger to your teeth and aligners. Due to the short time frame of treatment, other liquids should not affect the aligner attachment – small dots designed with dental composite material and added to the teeth to correct and adjust the aligners in severe orthodontic cases.
Bear in mind that you need to get the best out of your Invisalign since you're paying for and wearing it for a short time. Besides, your smile will last long.
Harmful effects on Invisalign aligners
Invisalign is designed to be smooth and nearly invisible; the main reason people go for it. So, drinking other liquids aside from water can spoil it.
Caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, and other dark drinks will stain your aligners, while hot liquids can warp the plastic. Stained aligners will not have a beautiful appearance, the same way the efficacy of the aligners will reduce due to warped plastic. When this happens, getting a new set of aligners sometimes becomes necessary.
Harmful effects on teeth
It is true that a lot of persons prefer Invisalign, not for their convenience, but because it is nearly invisible. Your oral health is at risk each time you choose to drink any other liquid aside cool water without taking the aligners off.
Taking a drink with your aligners on can cause the liquid to seep down between your teeth and the aligners.
Avoid alcohol, tea, and coffee as they contain acid. Not only that, stay away from sugary drinks such as soda and juice. This is because bacteria can breed in the tiny space between your aligners and teeth, and this growth is influenced by acid and sugar. See the danger:
- Sugar feeds bacteria and helps it to develop cavities
- Acids sap minerals from the teeth, making them weak and decay
The natural defence your mouth has against acid and sugar attack is saliva. But the saliva cannot get to your teeth because it is prevented by the aligners. This increases the harm other liquids aside water can cause to your teeth while you are undergoing Invisalign treatment.
Always brush and floss your teeth with your aligners off after eating or drinking, to eliminate the growth of bacteria from any acidic or sugary food. This is very important to protect your teeth and the aligners.
While there are claims that Invisalign is responsible for cavities, it is noteworthy to mention that the main reason is poor care of Invisalign.
Is using a straw to drink safe?
Some people find it unimaginable to drink just water throughout their Invisalign treatment. Based on that, so many trust the straw. Patients who have undergone teeth whitening may have been told to drink using a straw. Some people think it's the same thing with Invisalign.
Straws are not good with hot drinks. Yeah, the drink may get cool to a point, and warm enough for you to drink through a straw, but it may still be hot enough to warp your aligners.
You can take sugary, acidic, and dark drinks through a straw as it lowers the harm to your teeth and aligners, yet there is still a risk of danger! Why? The mouth is filled with saliva; a mucosal environment. So, when you sip the drink, it mixes with saliva and most certainly will touch the aligners, and over time it becomes a problem. Just know that your aligners can still get stained and your teeth can get decayed. Using straws may lower the risks, but it's not a preventive mechanism.
What should I do if I mistakenly drink any liquid other than water?
Well, should you unknowingly drink anything besides water with your aligners on, don't panic at all.
Here's what you should do:
- Take off the aligners
- Rinse out your mouth and the aligners
- Should you have a brush and toothpaste, brush your teeth
- Wear your aligners at once
Bear in mind that for excellent results with Invisalign, you must wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours per day. The last 2 hours will add up immediately. So, should there be a need to take out your aligners, do it fast. You shouldn't get carried away and leave your aligners off. The consequence is that your treatment period will prolong, and you may spend more time drinking only cool water.
If you are residing in Harley Street of London and need more useful advice, contact your nearest Invisalign provider in Harley Street to get gladly answer all your questions.
Post a Comment