Many families with adolescents in need of straighter smiles are opting for Invisalign® for teens over traditional braces. Braces use wires and frequent adjustments to straighten each tooth individually. Invisalign clear aligners straighten all the teeth at once and are swapped out for new ones about every two weeks during the process. These aligners are considered a modern-day improvement and are often more comfortable than braces despite also being effective in straightening teeth.
Many teenagers find that Invisalign is more appealing than braces due to how discreet it is and ease of use. However, there are some things to keep in mind, including foods to avoid while wearing the clear aligners.
When you think about foods to avoid with braces, you probably rank foods that could get stuck in the wires and between teeth — like popcorn or hard candy — pretty high. With Invisalign, though, you can take your aligners out to crunch down on that apple. In fact, as a general rule, the aligners should always be removed prior to eating.
Even with this guideline, it is important for children and teens to know that they should be especially careful to steer clear of foods that could do damage to the aligners. This includes not only hard or chewy candies but also chewy meats (such as jerky) or bone-in meats. Accidentally biting down on a bone can crack or chip aligners.
Speaking of chewy foods, gum is also a no-no. Since the aligners are comfortable, it can be easy to forget that sticky foods can pose a problem, just as they would with braces. The stickiness of gum and similarly textured items can create a residue that sticks to your aligners. This bacteria-laden residue can contribute to tooth decay, especially if it happens frequently and for prolonged periods of time between cleaning your aligners.
Also consider foods that might stain your teen's aligners. Keep in mind that Invisalign for teens tends to be so popular due to its invisibility — as opposed to braces, which are very visible — and therefore make certain your child knows that items notorious for staining teeth can also stain aligners. These include:
If your aligners are stained, it can look like your teeth are discolored. It is a good idea to choose water over other drinks when wearing them.
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Invisalign is an aesthetically pleasing alternative to braces. If your child chooses Invisalign for teens, make sure he or she is also clear on which foods to avoid to help the clear aligners stay looking good and working well. Aligners should always be removed to eat or drink (although it is fine to drink clear water with them in if you feel comfortable doing so), and you should thoroughly clean them at least twice a day, when you brush your teeth.
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