Having straight teeth is not always a guarantee. For many people, braces are an option, but braces are considered to be a cosmetic procedure, and most insurance companies do not pay for braces. This means a lot of children grow up with teeth that aren’t straight.
This can be caused by crowding of teeth, mouth injuries, lack of care, or genetics.
For those people who choose to have their teeth fixed when they are older, Invisalign is an option that they are presented with. This is because Invisalign allows a person to get straight teeth by applying trays that are molded to their mouth during the day and night.
Invisalign trays must be removed when eating, and this can be a positive or negative thing, depending on the person with Invisalign. You cannot eat with Invisalign trays in your mouth because the trays are not made to withstand the pressure from chewing.
If you drink anything besides water, you must remove the trays also. Cleaning your trays and teeth is very important to your treatment plan with Invisalign. It takes a dedicated person to be able to use these trays effectively and receive the treatment needed to get a perfectly straight smile.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign works by molding trays to the patient’s teeth. Once the molds are made, the patient wears the trays daily and nightly. The trays are then supposed to be worn at least 22 hours out of your day.
The trays slowly move your teeth into the correct position. Once they are at the desired position, the patient is given new trays, which further move the teeth into the right position.
This is a slow and gradual process, but many people like it because the trays can be removed at any time during the day or night. They are not stuck to the teeth with brackets like braces.
Invisalign trays are also clear, so they aren’t easily seen, and this draws many adults to this product because they don’t want to have a mouth full of metal.
How Do You Get Invisalign Trays?
There are several steps you will have to take to get Invisalign trays. Each person must be seen by an orthodontist for a consultation.
Most of the time, consultations at orthodontist appointments are free, and you may want to meet with several orthodontists to decide which orthodontist you want to use. This is the time that you need to discuss prices with your orthodontists so that you can choose the office with the best prices.
After you choose your orthodontist, he or she will create a treatment plan that is specific to your teeth. They will make molds of your teeth and adjust those molds. The molds will then be sent off to be made into your trays.
When your trays come in, you have to wear them every day and night. Orthodontists recommend that you wear them for at least 22 hours out of the day. You will return for follow-up appointments.
Once your teeth have moved to the correct positions, your orthodontist will reassess your smile and make new trays. These trays will move your teeth into a new position and the process repeats until you have reached the orthodontist’s desired look.
Why Can’t You Eat While Wearing Invisalign Trays?
Wearing Invisalign trays 22 hours out of the day seems like it would be irritating, but if you want to have straight teeth with a beautiful smile, it’s a small price to pay. The good thing about Invisalign is you can take the trays in and out of your mouth.
Wearing the trays while chewing can cause the trays to break. Bacteria can also get caught between the tray and your teeth, which can cause staining, cavities, and bacteria growth. Bad bacteria growth can lead to bad breath, gum disease, and other dental issues.
After eating or drinking anything other than water, you need to brush your teeth and then put the trays back in your mouth. Your orthodontist will provide you with a carrying case for your trays, so place them in the trays every time you take them out.
What Are Invisalign Buttons?
Invisalign buttons are pieces of material that are attached to your teeth. These buttons are made to attach to the trays and hold them in your mouth.
Can You Eat With Invisalign Buttons?
Yes, you can eat with Invisalign buttons. These attach to your teeth and are not removed until your treatment is complete. If a button breaks off while chewing, then the orthodontist can reapply another one.
Don’t chew anything hard or chewy, even when you have the Invisalign trays removed from your mouth. The buttons can break off easily if you are eating the wrong types of foods. If they are broken off, you can have them reapplied at the orthodontist, but repairs aren’t always cheap.
How Soon After Getting Invisalign Can You Eat?
The good thing about Invisalign that draws many people to this cosmetic procedure is that the trays can be removed any time during the day. With braces, after eating, a person needs to brush their teeth and clean between the braces brackets and wires.
Invisalign makes it easier to eat because the trays are removable. When eating, remove the trays and place them in the special case that your orthodontist will provide for you. When you are finished eating, you must floss and brush your teeth before putting your Invisalign trays back into your mouth.
If you don’t then bad bacteria can be caught between your teeth and the trays, which may cause more problems for you. Luckily, the Invisalign trays can be removed and you can eat the same day that you receive your trays. Just remove them before eating and drinking anything other than water.
Is Invisalign Painful?
Invisalign isn’t a painful procedure, but there may be some soreness involved when you first get your trays and when you get your trays adjusted. Just like with other cosmetic orthodontic procedures, your trays will be adjusted as your teeth move.
Each time your tray is adjusted, there will be some soreness involved. It may be painful for you to bite down on food or even touch your teeth together, especially if you have sensitive teeth.
This can be avoided by taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen before you go in for your appointments each month. It doesn’t completely alleviate the pain, but it does help. You can also avoid eating anything hard or chewy, like apples or steak, for a few days after your teeth are adjusted.
Why Is It Important To Brush Your Teeth After Eating Or Drinking?
When you eat and drink, bacteria collects in your mouth. Bacteria growth in your mouth can hinder the orthodontist’s treatment plan, which can cost more money. Bacteria growth in your mouth can cause gum disease, tooth staining, and many other dental problems.
The only way to avoid this is to store your trays in the case given to you by your doctor. Placing a paper towel in the bottom of the case will help dry the trays while you are eating. Be sure to change the paper towel out daily.
When you finish eating or drinking anything other than water, you need to brush your teeth. This gets rid of the bacteria and food particles that could be left in your mouth. Then you can reinsert your Invisalign trays.
If you don’t brush your teeth, the bacteria can stain your teeth because it gets trapped between your teeth and the tray. It can also cause bad breath and stain your Invisalign trays. This means that you will no longer have the clear trays that are inconspicuous until you get your next replacement from your orthodontist.
How Do You Clean Your Invisalign Trays?
According to Dr. Doug Crosby, an orthodontist with his own blog, you should clean your Invisalign trays every time you brush your teeth. You can do this by brushing your trays if you’re on the go, or soaking them in a retainer or denture cleaning solution, and you can also make your own mixture.
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Invisalign also offers its own brand of cleaning crystals. Some orthodontists don’t recommend the toothpaste cleaning method because they believe it will scratch the aligners. Check with your orthodontist about cleaning methods before trying this at home.
Antibacterial Liquid Soap
Using an antibacterial liquid soap to clean your trays is also another option. If you choose to do this, be sure that you rinse the soap out well.
Equal Parts Hydrogen Peroxide And Water Or Vinegar And Water
Soaking Invisalign trays in hydrogen peroxide or a vinegar mixture is another cheap option for cleaning your trays. These are cheaper methods than other cleaning solutions and mixtures.
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are both too strong to apply directly to the trays, so mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water or equal parts vinegar and water. Soak your trays for around 20 minutes. Brush your trays gently after the soak and rinse them well.
Tips And Tricks For Eating With Invisalign
1. Always Remove Before Eating.
This is because Invisalign trays are not made to withstand the force of biting and chewing. It can easily break your trays.
Also, trapped food equals bacteria. Bacteria cause staining of your teeth and Invisalign trays.
2. Drink Water Only.
While wearing your aligners, you want to be sure that you only drink water. Dark liquids, sugary liquids, or any other liquid can cause damage to your trays. The sugars and other ingredients in liquids can stain your trays, your teeth, and eat away at the tray, which can cause wear and tear.
3. Don’t Be Tempted.
It will be tempting for you to take a bite of something that you know probably wouldn’t break your trays. Ice cream for example doesn’t even have to be chewed. Don’t do it! Remove your trays, enjoy your treat, and protect your teeth!
4. Brush And Floss.
Did you know that in a recent survey, people were asked if they would rather wash a sink full of dirty dishes or floss, that the majority chose to wash dishes? Flossing is just one of those things that people avoid.
It’s not flattering to pull bits and pieces of plaque and food from between your teeth, but it is a vital part of keeping your teeth healthy and removing food that can cause cavities or other issues. Brush and floss before you reinsert your trays, every time.
5. Keep Scheduled Appointments.
This is true for any orthodontic treatment plan. Keeping appointments is necessary to get the perfect smile. Your trays will only last around two weeks, so if you wait too long, there is a chance that they could break.
If you can’t get in to see your orthodontist and your tray has broken, there is a good chance that your teeth can move back to the previous spot in your mouth, which will further delay your treatment plan.
The Most Important Takeaway
The most important thing to remember about Invisalign trays is that to get the beautiful smile that you dream of, you are going to have to put in a little bit of effort. The tendency to skip brushing here and there will be tempting, but you have to remind yourself of the long-term benefits. You will want to eat at times while wearing your trays, but don’t give in to the temptation.
You cannot eat while wearing Invisalign trays because they could break. If your trays do break, go in to see your orthodontist as soon as you can. It may take a little bit of hard work on your part, but Invisalign can give you the smile that you have dreamed of.