Short answer: Most foods are allowed during clear aligner treatment because the aligners are taken out while you eat. While they are in, only plain water is recommended. After eating, brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water, then put your aligners straight back in.
Why only water with aligners in?
- Sugary and acidic drinks: They get trapped inside the aligner against the teeth for a long time, increasing the risk of decay and enamel erosion.
- Hot drinks: Heat can change the shape of the aligner material so that it no longer fits the teeth properly.
- Coloured drinks: Coffee, tea, cola and red wine can stain the aligners and attachments.
What if you drink a lot of coffee or tea?
The most practical approach is to have tea and coffee with your aligners out, ideally together with a meal. Sipping tea throughout the day adds to the time your aligners spend out of your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with water afterwards and then putting your aligners back in reduces staining. To understand why wear time matters, see our article how many hours a day should you wear clear aligners.
Can you chew gum?
Don't chew gum with your aligners in; gum sticks to the aligner and can damage it. You can chew sugar-free gum with the aligners out, but that time also counts against your daily wear time.
Foods to be careful with to protect attachments
- Avoid biting very hard foods (nutshells, ice, hard sweets) with your front teeth
- Eat sticky foods (caramel, Turkish delight) with care
- Cut foods such as corn on the cob and apples into slices
When eating out
- Take out your aligners and always put them in their case; aligners wrapped in a napkin often get lost.
- After eating, rinse your mouth with water at the sink; brush your teeth if you can.
- Rinse the aligners and put them back in.
Carrying a small toothbrush, toothpaste and your aligner case makes this routine easier. For cleaning your aligners, take a look at our clear aligner wear and care guide.
Quick answers
Can I drink sparkling water with aligners in?
Sparkling mineral water is acidic, so drinking it with aligners in is not recommended; choose plain water.
Does drinking through a straw with aligners in solve the problem?
A straw may reduce contact time, but it doesn't fully stop sugary and acidic drinks from getting trapped inside the aligner.
What should I do if I can't brush my teeth after eating?
Rinse your mouth well with water, rinse the aligners and put them back in; brush your teeth at the first opportunity.
How do you find out what suits you?
The information here is general; the right plan for you is decided through an oral examination, a digital scan and a clinical assessment. At our clinic in Oran, Çankaya, Ankara, we go through these topics and your questions during your first orthodontic examination. If you would like to see the treatment steps in advance, take a look at our clear aligner treatment process page.
