One of the best things about clear aligners is how flexible they are. Unlike braces, you can take your aligners out when you eat, meaning no food restrictions, no broken brackets, and no spinach stuck in your smile.
Still, there are a few important rules to follow if you want to keep your treatment on track and your aligners crystal clear. Here’s everything you need to know about eating with clear aligners, plus our top tips for dining out.
Can You Eat with Clear Aligners In?
The short answer: no. Aligners aren’t designed to handle chewing. Eating with them in can cause:
- Cracks or warping in the plastic trays
- Food stains that make aligners more noticeable
- Trapped food particles that can lead to tooth decay
Always remove your aligners before eating and drinking anything other than water.
What Can You Drink with Clear Aligners?
- Safe: Still water (always).
- Avoid: Coffee, tea, wine, juice, soft drinks, and anything dark or acidic as this can stain your aligners.
- Pro tip: If you’re sipping something other than water, remove your aligners first.
Eating at Home with Clear Aligners
Here’s how to keep things smooth when you’re eating at home:
- Remove aligners before every meal or snack.
- Store them in their case.
- Brush and floss before putting them back in. If brushing isn’t possible, rinse with water or carry some Eversmile Aligner Cleaner with you- available in studio.
- Stick to 20–22 hours of wear daily. Don’t let long meals cut into your aligner time.
Tips for Dining Out with Clear Aligners
Yes, you can still enjoy date nights, coffee catch-ups, and dinners out while in aligners. Here’s how to make it easy:
- Plan ahead: Always bring your aligner case with you.
- Excuse yourself before eating: Pop into the bathroom to take out your aligners discreetly if you prefer.
- Rinse your Aligners: After your meal, give your aligners a quick rinse with water if you can’t brush right away.
- Be mindful of timing: If you’re going out for a long dinner, pop your aligners back in as soon as you’re finished eating so you don’t go under your daily wear time.
- Skip the coloured drinks: Red wine and coffee are the biggest culprits for staining, you can still enjoy them, but always without your aligners in.
Snack Smarter
Snacking can add extra steps to your day as your aligners need to be removed and teeth cleaned each time.
To make life easier:
- Consolidate snacks into meal times.
- Choose tooth-friendly snacks (cheese, nuts, crunchy veggies).
- Try to keep sugar-heavy treats occasional.
At Urban Smile, we know life doesn’t stop just because you’re straightening your teeth. Our clear aligner treatment is designed to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle, not the other way around.
With Specialist Orthodontists designing every plan, Dental Monitoring for easy weekly check-ins, and our friendly studio teams, we’ll guide you through every step of your smile journey.
Ready to get started? Book your free consultation today and discover how simple, clear aligners can be.