Can aligners be worn while fasting?
Clear aligners are not food or drink; they stay in during the day and keep moving the teeth towards their planned position. For religious questions about fasting, we recommend asking a religious authority. From a treatment point of view, what matters is that the aligners are worn for the recommended time.
Suhoor and iftar routine
On fasting days, the times you take the aligners out are usually limited to suhoor and iftar. This routine can help increase the time the aligners stay in.
- Suhoor: Take out the aligners, eat, brush your teeth, then clean and put the aligners back in.
- During the day: The aligners stay in. If you are not fasting, only plain water is drunk with the aligners in.
- Iftar: Take out the aligners, put them in their case and have your iftar meal.
- After iftar: Snacking for a long time lengthens the time the aligners are out. It is advisable to finish eating within a set period, brush your teeth and then put the aligners back in.
Oral care and dry mouth
During fasting, saliva flow can decrease and the mouth may feel dry. Keeping the teeth and aligners clean while the aligners are in is even more important in this period.
- Brush your teeth at suhoor and after iftar, and do not skip cleaning between the teeth.
- Clean the aligners with lukewarm (not hot) water and a soft brush.
- Drink enough water between iftar and suhoor.
- Do not have sugary or acidic drinks with the aligners in.
For detailed tips, see the wear and care guide.
When to switch to a new aligner
A feeling of pressure in the first days of a new aligner is normal. Some patients find it more comfortable to switch to a new aligner in the evening after iftar, so the first hours fall during sleep. Ask your orthodontist before changing your aligner schedule.
At the iftar table
Some foods common at iftar and suhoor need extra care during aligner treatment. Since aligners are taken out for meals, food choice does not directly interfere with treatment; however, after foods that stick to the teeth and attachments, brushing needs more attention.
- Do not put your aligners back in after sweet foods such as güllaç, baklava or dates without brushing first.
- Do not drink tea or coffee with the aligners in; it can cause staining and leave sugar inside the aligner.
- Hard, crunchy foods can cause attachments to come off; eat them carefully.
- Keep your aligner case with you for visits and long meals during the holiday (Bayram).
Drinking water and wear time
During non-fasting hours, between iftar and suhoor, drinking plain water with the aligners in is fine and helps against dry mouth. For any drink other than water, the aligners need to come out. Taking the aligners out and putting them back in frequently between iftar and suhoor both shortens wear time and increases the risk of losing them. Grouping the meal and dessert after iftar into a set time window, then brushing and putting the aligners back in, is a practical way to protect daily wear time.
Tarawih, work and school routines
Because daily routines change during Ramadan, aligner change days or brushing times can get mixed up. Setting phone reminders for after suhoor and iftar makes it easier to keep track of wear time. If your child wears clear aligners and is trying to fast, we recommend planning the routine together with your child and passing any questions on to the orthodontist.
Check-up appointments
If you would like to plan your check-up around suhoor and iftar times during Ramadan, you can mention this when booking. The clinic is open Monday–Saturday 09:00–20:00. If something unexpected happens with an aligner, you can read the general information on the problems and solutions page and contact the clinic.
If you are unsure whether you can fast because of your health, please ask your doctor.