Eating and Drinking With Clear Aligners: The Dos and Don’ts

Author: Dr. Arielle Garfinkle

I love a good restaurant recommendation, so I’m always happy when the clear aligner conversation turns to food. You’ll still have coffee runs, lunches between meetings, dinner with friends, and the occasional dessert you didn’t plan on ordering.

Those everyday moments are often what patients want to talk through before starting treatment. What does a meal out look like? What about a day when you’re away from home? I want you to feel comfortable asking the practical questions, even the ones that seem small. At The Smile Garden of East Windsor, we can talk about how clear aligners would fit into *your* routine. Let’s start with eating and drinking.

‍

‍

Can you eat with clear aligners in?

Take your aligners out before you eat. They aren’t designed for chewing, and food can get caught between the trays and your teeth. Removing them lets you enjoy your meal normally.

This applies to snacks, too. Even if you’re only grabbing a few bites, take a moment to remove the trays and put them somewhere safe. Once you’re finished, clean your teeth and put the aligners back in. You don’t need a list of foods to avoid simply because you’re wearing clear aligners; you just need a good routine for taking care of them. 

What can you drink while wearing clear aligners?

Plain water is the easy answer. If you’re having coffee, tea, soda, juice, or another drink, remove your aligners first. Drinks can collect beneath the trays, leaving sugar or acids against your teeth. Some may also stain the aligners. 

I know this takes some getting used to if you like to sip coffee throughout the morning. You don’t have to give up your coffee. You may just need to set aside time to enjoy it, clean your teeth afterward, and get your trays back in rather than leaving them out all morning.

Where should you put your aligners while you eat?

In their case. Every time.

Please don’t wrap them in a napkin, tuck them into a tissue, or set them beside your plate. That’s how aligners end up in the trash at the end of lunch. Keep your case in your bag or pocket so you have a safe place for them whenever a meal comes up.

My ideal routine is simple: trays out, trays into the case, enjoy your food, clean your teeth, and trays back in. After a while, it starts to feel as automatic as remembering your keys.

Should you brush before putting clear aligners back in?

Yes, whenever you can. Brushing after a meal clears away food particles before the trays go back over your teeth. Give your aligners a rinse, too, and follow the cleaning instructions we provide for your trays.

If you’re out and don’t have your toothbrush, rinse your mouth and your aligners with water, then brush as soon as you’re able. The goal is to care for your teeth and keep your trays in for the hours they need to do their job.

What if you accidentally eat or drink with your aligners in?

It happens. Maybe you take a sip of something and remember a second too late that your trays are still in. Take them out, rinse them with water, and finish eating or drinking with them safely in their case. Then clean your teeth and put the aligners back in.

There’s no need to panic over one slipup. If a tray looks damaged or doesn’t seem to fit correctly afterward, give us a call so we can help you decide what to do next.

How do you manage clear aligners at dinner or a social event?

Bring your case and make a small plan before you go. You can wear your aligners while you’re chatting, take them out when the food or drinks arrive, and put them back in once you’re finished and have cleaned your teeth.

You can also take them out for a special moment, like a photo, as long as you keep track of how long they’re out. What tends to throw people off is forgetting the trays after the event has moved on. A reminder on your phone can help until the routine becomes second nature.

How long should you wear clear aligners each day?

For my patients, the target is 22 hours a day. Consistent wear helps your teeth follow the movements we’ve planned. When trays spend too much time in their case, treatment may not progress the way we expect.

Are clear aligners right for you?

If you’re thinking, “I’m not sure I could keep up with 22 hours a day,” tell me. That’s a helpful conversation to have before treatment starts. We can talk through your routine and whether clear aligners or braces would be a better fit.

At The Smile Garden of East Windsor, we use Spark clear aligners, and I’d be happy to show you what treatment could look like for your smile. Bring your questions about meals, coffee, travel, or anything else on your mind. Give us a call at (970) 460-8725 to schedule a consultation, and we’ll figure out your next step together.