Invisalign is a virtually invisible orthodontic method that requires no dietary restrictions, but it requires certain considerations during the annual Halloween festivities. Without the proper precautions, one candy-filled day can set the stage for major complications over the course of your treatment. Here’s how to celebrate Halloween while keeping your Invisalign treatment going smoothly.
Eating Candy
Invisalign requires no dietary restrictions, but it does require excellent oral hygiene. This means that you can eat any sort of candy you like during Invisalign treatment if you take the proper precautions and clean your teeth thoroughly afterward.
The first rule of eating or drinking with Invisalign is that, if you aren’t drinking water, remove your clear aligners. This will keep them free of food debris while you chow down on jawbreakers, candy bars, and the like. Equally important to removing your aligners before eating is to thoroughly clean your teeth before you put them back in. This means brushing and flossing after waiting at least thirty minutes after eating. Rinse your aligners before you snap them back into place.
Mind Your Timing
For an Invisalign treatment to work properly, you must wear your clear aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours a day while only removing them to eat and perform oral hygiene. After you’ve scheduled three meals and two cleaning sessions, you don’t have much time left to play with, especially since you should wait for thirty minutes after eating before brushing your teeth. You may have to restrict your candy consumption to meal times only, which isn’t a horrible thing because the increased saliva flow during mealtime can help prevent tooth decay due to consuming excessive sugars.
One Little Piece of Candy Can Hurt You
You might be tempted to eat just one little bit of candy while wearing your clear aligners, but this is a terrible idea. Invisalign aligners are not designed to withstand the pressures of chewing, and nibbling on anything can cause them to break, resulting in a significant setback for your treatment. What might be even worse is that food debris or the sugary residue that results from candy dissolving in your mouth can work its way between the teeth and the aligner, providing the warm, wet, sugary, and protected environment tooth decay-causing bacteria need to throw a Halloween party of their own.
You can still have a spooktacular time when wearing Invisalign this Halloween. While you may have to make some compromises for the edible part of the celebration, complying with your Invisalign treatment has numerous benefits that can have your smile looking absolutely fang-tastic for next Halloween.
About the Author
Dr. Jay R. Lopez earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado Health Science Center School of Dentistry and has practiced as a dentist since 1997. He has continued to expand his skillset through postdoctoral training focusing on topics like dental implants, oral surgery, aesthetic treatments, and Invisalign. His office in Tucson, AZ offers preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to Invisalign treatments. For more information on celebrating Halloween with Invisalign, contact his office online or dial (520) 886-8090.