Eating and Drinking With Aalto Clear Aligners

One of the biggest questions people have before starting clear aligner treatment is simple: “What can I eat?”

The good news is that clear aligners don't require you to give up your favourite foods.

Unlike fixed braces, clear aligners are removable. You simply take them out when it's time to eat, enjoy your meal as normal, then clean your teeth and put your aligners back in.

There are a few important things to know about eating and drinking during treatment, though.

Can You Eat With Clear Aligners In?

No.

You should remove your clear aligners before eating.

Food can damage or distort an aligner, while food particles, sugar and bacteria can become trapped between your teeth and the aligner.

This can increase the risk of tooth decay, staining and gum problems.

The exception is water, which you can generally drink while wearing your aligners.

When it's time to eat, simply remove your aligners and place them safely in their case.

What Can You Eat During Clear Aligner Treatment?

Pretty much anything you normally enjoy.

Because your aligners are removable, you don't have the same food restrictions associated with traditional fixed braces.

You can enjoy foods such as:

• Crunchy vegetables

• Apples and other whole fruit

• Nuts

• Popcorn

• Pizza

• Steak

• Sandwiches

• Crisps

• Chocolate

• Your favourite meals and snacks

The important part is to remove your aligners before eating and maintain good oral hygiene afterwards.

What Can You Drink While Wearing Clear Aligners?

Water is the best choice while your aligners are in.

Remove your aligners before drinking other beverages, particularly:

• Coffee

• Tea

• Soft drinks

• Juice

• Energy drinks

• Sports drinks

• Wine

• Other sugary or acidic beverages

Sugary and acidic drinks can increase the risk of tooth decay and enamel erosion. When an aligner is covering your teeth, these liquids can remain in contact with your teeth for longer.

Hot drinks can also affect the shape of thermoplastic aligners.

If you're having coffee or tea, remove your aligners first.

What About Coffee and Tea?

You don't have to give up your morning coffee.

Simply remove your aligners before drinking it.

Coffee and tea can also contribute to staining, so maintaining good oral hygiene is particularly important if you drink them regularly.

Once you've finished, rinse your mouth with water and clean your teeth before putting your aligners back in where possible.

What About Alcohol?

If you drink alcohol, remove your aligners first.

Wine, cocktails, beer and other alcoholic drinks can contain sugars, acids or colouring that may contribute to staining or dental problems.

After drinking, rinse your mouth with water and clean your teeth before replacing your aligners where possible.

Your dental professional can provide individual advice based on your oral health and treatment.

What If My Teeth Are Sensitive?

Some people experience mild pressure or tenderness when they start wearing a new set of aligners.

This is generally temporary and can make certain foods feel less comfortable for the first day or two.

If your teeth feel sensitive, try softer foods such as:

• Yoghurt

• Eggs

• Pasta

• Rice

• Soup

• Smoothies

• Soft vegetables

• Fish

As your teeth adjust to the new aligner, you can generally return to your normal diet.

If you experience significant, persistent or worsening pain, contact your treating dentist.

What Should I Do After Eating?

Keeping your teeth clean during aligner treatment is particularly important.

After eating:

1. Remove your aligners
Keep them safely in their case while you eat.

2. Rinse your mouth
If you can't brush immediately, rinsing with water is better than putting your aligners straight back over food debris.

3. Brush your teeth
Brush thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste when you can.

4. Clean between your teeth
Floss or use an interdental cleaning method recommended by your dentist.

5. Clean your aligners
Rinse and clean your aligners according to your dental professional's instructions.

6. Put your aligners back in
Once your teeth and aligners are clean, put them back in and continue your treatment.

Don't Leave Your Aligners Out for Too Long

Taking your aligners out for meals is completely normal.

However, your teeth need consistent wear for your treatment to progress as planned.

Your treating dentist will tell you how long you should wear your aligners each day. For many patients, this is around 20–22 hours per day.

Try to avoid unnecessarily extending the amount of time your aligners are out.

If you know you're going out for a long meal or event, plan ahead and take your aligner case with you.

Eating Out With Clear Aligners

There's no reason clear aligners should stop you enjoying restaurants, birthdays or social occasions.

Before eating:

• Remove your aligners

• Place them in their case

• Enjoy your meal normally

After eating, rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth when possible before putting your aligners back in.

Keeping your case with you makes this much easier and helps prevent your aligners from being lost or accidentally thrown away.

What About Snacking?

Frequent snacking can make clear aligner treatment a little more inconvenient because you'll need to remove your aligners each time.

If you're regularly eating throughout the day, you'll also need to make sure you're maintaining good oral hygiene.

Some patients find it easier to keep meals and snacks within set times so they can maximise their aligner wear and maintain a consistent routine.

Can I Chew Gum With Clear Aligners?

It's best to remove your aligners before chewing gum.

Gum can stick to the aligner material and may damage or distort the aligner.

If you want to chew gum, remove your aligners first and follow your dentist's advice about what's appropriate for your treatment.

Clear Aligners Don't Mean Giving Up Your Favourite Foods

One of the major lifestyle benefits of clear aligners is that they're removable.

You don't need to permanently change your diet just because you're straightening your teeth.

The key habits are simple:

Remove your aligners before eating.

Drink water while wearing them.

Keep your teeth and aligners clean.

Wear your aligners for the amount of time recommended by your dentist.

Put them back in after meals as soon as practical.

Following these habits helps you stay on track while still enjoying the foods and drinks you love.

Eating During Aalto Treatment

Aalto clear aligner treatment is designed to fit into everyday life.

Your aligners are removable, allowing you to eat normally without the food restrictions associated with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Your treating dentist will provide instructions specific to your treatment, including how long to wear your aligners and how to care for them.

If you have questions about eating, drinking or caring for your aligners, your dental team can provide advice based on your individual treatment.

The Bottom Line

Clear aligners don't mean giving up your favourite foods.

Take your aligners out before eating and drinking anything other than water, keep your teeth and aligners clean, and put your aligners back in after meals.

With a simple routine, you can enjoy your normal diet while keeping your treatment on track and looking after your oral health.