Many orthodontic patients choose Invisalign in Reston, VA because of the freedom it provides compared to traditional braces. Patients often ask Dr. Hanah Pham of Reston Sunrise Dentistry if it's okay to eat certain foods with Invisalign braces, and the answer is yes if they're careful.

Remove the Aligners Before Eating

Invisalign aligners methodically move teeth into their proper positions. Although the aligners are strong and effective, they're not built to handle the force when you bite and chew your food. Therefore, you must remove the aligners before you eat.

Keep in mind you can eat whenever and whatever you want when you choose Invisalign in Reston, VA, but you must remove them first. Additionally, Dr. Pham and other orthodontists recommend you only drink water during your course of treatment.

Although drinking only water is unappealing and boring to many people, drinking anything else can compromise the aligners. One of the benefits of Invisalign is the aligners are practically invisible when you wear them, but if you drink beverages other than water, you risk discoloring the aligners and defeating one of the main purposes of this treatment.

Don't Succumb to Temptation

Just a quick snack or a little "sip" of wine or other colored beverage while wearing the aligners can cause more harm than it's worth. Although it's a bit of a nuisance to remove the aligners every time you eat or drink something, it's not worth succumbing to the "just one snack or drink" temptation and ruining the integrity of the aligners.

Brush and Floss After Eating

You should always brush and floss your teeth after you eat – and before you snap the aligners back into place. If food particles or bacteria are left lingering after you eat or drink something, you run the risk of those particles hugging your teeth while you're wearing your aligners – which significantly increases the risk of tooth decay.

Invisalign in Reston, VA gives you the freedom to enjoy all the foods you love – if you take care of the aligners properly. For more answers to questions about Invisalign and the perks it provides over conventional braces, contact Dr. Pham at Reston Sunrise Dentistry and her team at (703) 860-4148.