Back to Blog
One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign over traditional braces is the freedom to eat virtually anything you want — as long as you remove your aligners first. But that doesn’t mean every food is completely off the hook. Certain foods and drinks can stain your aligners, damage them, or slow down your treatment progress if you’re not careful.
At Morita Orthodontics, we want your Invisalign journey to be as smooth and successful as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this complete guide on what to avoid — and what to keep in mind — so you can protect your investment and achieve that beautiful smile on schedule.
Invisalign aligners are made from a clear, medical-grade thermoplastic material. While they’re durable, they’re not indestructible. Eating or drinking the wrong things while wearing your trays — or even after removing them without brushing first — can lead to:
The golden rule of Invisalign is simple: remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than plain water. But even with your aligners out, certain foods and habits deserve a second thought.
Foods like hard candies, ice, crusty bread, nuts, and raw carrots can be problematic — not because they’ll damage your aligners (remember, you should remove them first), but because they can crack or chip your teeth. Damaged teeth complicate orthodontic treatment and may require additional time and cost to fix. Eat these in moderation and chew carefully.
Examples to watch out for:
Sticky foods are notorious for clinging to teeth and getting trapped in hard-to-reach places. Even after removing your aligners, sticky residue can remain on your teeth and underneath attachments (the small tooth-colored bumps some Invisalign patients have). If not cleaned properly before putting aligners back in, this creates the perfect environment for cavities.
Examples to avoid:
Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth that produce acid — the same acid that causes tooth decay. With aligners covering your teeth for 20 to 22 hours a day, even a small amount of sugar trapped under the trays can cause rapid enamel erosion. If you indulge in sweets, always brush and floss thoroughly before reinserting your aligners.
Examples to limit:
This is a big one. If you eat or drink highly pigmented foods and then put your aligners back in without brushing, the staining agents get trapped against your teeth — and can tint your clear trays a shade of yellow, orange, or brown. Over time, your “invisible” aligners become anything but.
Staining culprits to be careful with:
Always brush before putting your aligners back in after eating these foods.
Beverages are where many Invisalign patients unknowingly make their biggest mistakes. Remember: only plain water should be consumed while wearing your aligners.
Both coffee and tea contain tannins that stain teeth and aligners quickly. Hot beverages also pose a secondary risk — heat can warp the thermoplastic material of your trays, distorting their shape and compromising their effectiveness.
Carbonated beverages, especially dark colas, are acidic and heavily pigmented. Even “clear” sodas like Sprite or ginger ale are highly acidic and can erode enamel when pooled under aligners. Diet sodas are just as acidic as regular ones — don’t let the lack of sugar fool you.
Fruit juices and sports drinks are loaded with sugar and acid. Consuming them while wearing aligners creates a bath of sugar and acid against your teeth for extended periods. This dramatically increases the risk of cavities and enamel wear.
Red wine is one of the worst offenders for staining aligners. White wine and alcoholic beverages, while less pigmented, are still acidic and can damage your enamel. Cocktails mixed with juice or soda combine multiple risk factors.
Highly acidic and heavily pigmented, energy drinks are best avoided during treatment — or at minimum, consumed only after removing aligners and followed by a thorough rinse and brush.
The good news? Invisalign gives you far more dietary freedom than traditional metal braces. As long as you remove your aligners, you can enjoy:
And of course, plain water is always welcome with your aligners in — in fact, staying well-hydrated helps your oral health throughout treatment.
Always carry your aligner case. Never wrap your aligners in a napkin at a restaurant — it’s the fastest way to accidentally throw them away. A proper case protects them and keeps them clean.
Brush before reinserting. Don’t just rinse — take a moment to brush and floss after every meal or snack before putting your aligners back in. This single habit prevents the majority of Invisalign-related dental issues.
Stay on schedule. Removing your aligners to eat is expected, but try to limit snacking throughout the day. Your aligners need to be in for 20 to 22 hours daily to stay on track with your treatment timeline.
Rinse your aligners when you remove them. A quick rinse under cool (not hot) water keeps bacteria from building up while your aligners are out.
Invisalign treatment is one of the most convenient and discreet ways to straighten your teeth — and with the right habits, it’s easier to maintain than you might think. At Morita Orthodontics, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way, from your first consultation to your final retainer fitting.
Schedule your free Invisalign consultation today and find out if Invisalign is right for you.
📍 Aiea Office: 808.486.5505 📍 Honolulu Office: 808.941.3355 🌐 Book Online: www.moritaorthodontics.com/contact
Whether you’re just starting to explore Invisalign or you’re already mid-treatment and have concerns, our team at Morita Orthodontics is happy to help. We proudly serve patients throughout Oahu, including Aiea, Honolulu, Pearl City, and surrounding communities.
Give us a call — we’d love to hear from you.
📍 Aiea: 808.486.5505 📍 Honolulu: 808.941.3355
Invisalign offers incredible flexibility, but a little mindfulness around food and drink goes a long way in protecting your aligners, your teeth, and your treatment results. Avoid eating with your trays in, brush before reinserting them, steer clear of staining beverages, and watch out for excessively sticky or sugary foods.
Follow these guidelines, keep up with your scheduled aligner changes, and attend your regular check-ins with our team — and you’ll be showing off a stunning new smile before you know it.
Morita Orthodontics serves patients in Aiea, Honolulu, and throughout Oahu. To learn more about Invisalign treatment or to schedule your complimentary consultation, visit us at moritaorthodontics.com/contact or call our Aiea office at 808.486.5505 or our Honolulu office at 808.941.3355.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment with us, you can fill out our online appointment request form or give us a call at our Honolulu office at (808) 941-3355 or our Aiea office at (808) 486-5505. We can’t wait to hear from you!
RE: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
To our valued patients,
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), President Trump, the American Dental Association and the Hawaii Dental Association are recommending all dentists postpone nonemergency dental procedures for 2 weeks. Our practice is committed to protecting the community and avoiding using valuable resources that our first responders and frontline healthcare providers will need.
Our office will be closed effective today, Wednesday, March 18, and we plan to resume regular hours on Wednesday, April 1. If you are experiencing a true dental emergency including swelling or severe tooth pain, please call your general dentist office, and listen closely as emergency contact info will be available. For all nonemergent questions, please email us at [email protected].
We are so sorry for the burden this places on your schedules, but your continued health and safety are our number one priority. Our office is working diligently to reschedule all patients with existing appointments within the next 2 weeks. We will continue to evaluate the situation as it evolves and determine on a weekly basis when it is appropriate for us to return to normal orthodontic patient care. We ask for your compassion and understanding at this time as we all work together to keep Hawaii healthy.
Sincerely,
Your Morita Orthodontics Ohana
