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Foods to Avoid with Braces & Invisalign For the Best Experience

Home » Our Blog » Foods to Avoid with Braces & Invisalign For the Best Experience

This time, we’re looking at foods to avoid with braces & Invisalign. In previous posts, we looked at foods to eat with braces.

Notably, one difference between Invisalign and braces is that clear aligners can come out. With braces, they remain attached to your teeth throughout treatment. Thus, you can take out Invisalign while you eat and drink. As a result, you don’t have to as careful about food choices. 

As we saw in our previous post, braces can be damaged by sticky, hard, chewy, and crunchy foods.

However, some foods are best limited or avoided with Invisalign and braces. By avoiding certain foods, you can ensure your treatment goes smoothly. Limiting some foods can help you avoid the higher risk of tooth decay and avoid staining your appliances.

Today, one of the best parts of orthodontic treatments is the nearly invisible appearance. To make sure treatment remains discreet, you want to avoid discoloring clear aligners or braces. 

Some Foods Might Leave a Stain on Braces & Invisalign

Certain foods can leave a stain that discolors clear aligners and braces. Therefore, it’s a good idea to limit them or avoid them while working on your smile.

Staining foods (not a complete list):

  • Tea
  • Beets
  • Curry
  • Coffee
  • Berries
  • Mustard
  • Tomatoes
  • Red Wine
  • Soy sauce
  • Grape juice
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Some food colorings

With Invisalign, it’s always a good idea to take out the aligner to eat or drink anything but plain water. Otherwise, foods like these may leave you aligners looking a peculiar color. Similarly, clear ceramic braces could be discolored, though they are resistant to staining.

Hot Liquids and Invisalign

A benefit of Invisalign is the thin aligners are precisely fit and comfortable. However, the thin SmartTrack material is fairly delicate. Consequently, one must not put the aligners in hot water or drink hot beverages while they are in place. Otherwise, they could warp.

While braces won’t warp from hot beverages, some might stain them, such as drinking coffee. 

Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks with Braces & Invisalign

When you wear braces or Invisalign, it’s more important to practice good oral hygiene. During this time, it can be a little harder to keep your teeth and gums in top condition. That’s especially true with braces since food can get stuck where you can’t easily reach it.

Even with Invisalign, the American Association of Orthodontists suggests limiting or avoiding sugary foods and drinks.

Since liquids can get under the aligners, it’s best to drink only plain water. Notably, even some bottled waters can pose a problem because they are acidic.

Avoid drinks like these:

  • Sodas
  • Acidic liquids
  • Flavored water
  • Fruit drinks
  • Sports drinks
  • Energy drinks

If you drink something other than water, rinse and brush your teeth soon afterward, wherever possible.

 

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Avoid Sugary, Sticky, Crunchy, Hard Foods

In our prior post about foods to enjoy with braces, it’s best to avoid foods that are:

  • Hard
  • Sticky
  • Chewy 
  • Crunchy
  • Staining

However, do you have to watch out for these foods with Invisalign? Not as much, but it’s still a good idea to limit sugary foods and hard, crunchy foods, even with Invisalign. 

Since these foods coat the teeth with a sugary film, they can promote tooth decay. Also, hard, crunchy bits can be difficult to clean between teeth. Then, when you put your aligners back in, these particles can be trapped and lead to tooth decay.

Foods to avoid with braces and Invisalign, including staining beverages, sugary items, crunchy popcorn, chewy candies, and hard snacks, with Mill Creek Orthodontics branding.
Foods to Avoid with Braces & Invisalign

Foods to Avoid with Invisalign & Braces

Below, we list some examples of foods best limited or avoided with Invisalign & braces: 

  • Lollypops and suckers
  • Sticky, chewy candies
  • Taffy, Caramel, Starbursts, or similar
  • Hard candies and jawbreakers
  • Gummies and jellybeans
  • Sour candies 
  • Popcorn, chips, hard pretzels
  • Nuts and crunchy trail mix
  • Chewing gum or bubble gum

If you wear braces, watch out for these foods. By doing so, you can avoid an emergency visit to fix a broken or loose wire or bracket. With Invisalign, it’s still a good idea to limit or avoid them to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

On the other hand, you can still reward yourself with a softer, safe treat on occasion, like when you visit us a Mill Creek Orthodontics!

 

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We hope this list of foods to avoid with braces & Invisalign has been helpful. 

At first, it may seem restrictive. However, by sticking to the basic rules, your treatment will be smoother. Then, treatment is complete; you will be able to enjoy all your favorites again. Best of all, you’ll have a fantastic new smile to show for it!

Have any questions? Call us anytime at 434-977-9473. You may also contact us online here.

Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest content and updates.

 

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Katie F.
Mill Creek Orthodontics makes getting braces easy and fun. My daughter loves the ice cream and other swag!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words! We love hearing that your daughter is enjoying her experience with us. We believe orthodontic treatment should feel exciting and positive from start to finish, and we’re so happy the little extras like the ice cream and swag have made visits even more fun for her. Thank you for trusting our team with her smile, we truly appreciate your family being part of our orthodontic family! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Brigette C.
We brought our daughter here after another office recommended treatment that seemed way more aggressive than necessary. This orthodontist took a much more balanced approach and explained that not every issue needs to be corrected immediately. That honesty made us trust them right away. The assistants are very good with nervous kids and keep conversations light so appointments don’t feel intimidating. My daughter was terrified before getting braces, but by the end of the visit she was surprisingly relaxed. There was one small issue where a bracket came loose after she bit into hard candy, but the office got us scheduled quickly without making us feel judged about it. After several months, her smile is already much straighter and she’s noticeably more confident around classmates and relatives.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing this thoughtful feedback. We’re really glad you felt confident in our more balanced approach and that taking the time to explain everything helped you feel comfortable with your daughter’s treatment plan. It’s also wonderful to hear she has felt more at ease during her visits, our team works hard to make sure kids feel calm and supported every step of the way. We’re happy we could quickly help with the bracket issue as well and keep things on track without added stress.
Most of all, we love hearing about her growing confidence and progress. Thank you again for trusting us with her smile, and we truly appreciate your family being part of our practice. - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Georganna E.
I’m nearing the end of my treatment here and looking back, the process has been far less stressful than I imagined. I was worried adult braces would constantly interfere with work meetings and social situations, but most people barely noticed after the first couple weeks. The orthodontist has been straightforward from the beginning about timelines and expectations, which helped me stay patient during slower stages of movement. One adjustment left my teeth unusually sore for almost a week, so I called the office thinking something was wrong. They checked everything carefully, reassured me, and made a minor adjustment that helped immediately. The staff has always treated me respectfully and appointments usually stay on schedule. My smile looks dramatically different now and even my jaw feels more relaxed during the day.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for trusting us with your smile journey. It truly means a lot to hear that the process felt more comfortable and manageable than you expected, especially as an adult balancing work, meetings, and everyday life. We know starting orthodontic treatment can feel intimidating, so we’re very happy that our team was able to help make things clear, predictable, and supportive along the way. We especially appreciate you mentioning the time you experienced soreness after your adjustment. Your comfort and peace of mind are incredibly important to us, and we’re glad you reached out so we could evaluate everything and make a small change that brought relief quickly. Open communication is such an important part of successful treatment, and we never want patients to feel hesitant about calling with concerns.
It has been wonderful watching your smile transform throughout treatment, and hearing that you’re also feeling more comfortable and relaxed in your jaw is especially rewarding. Thank you again for your thoughtful words about our team and scheduling experience. We’ve truly enjoyed being part of this journey with you and can’t wait for you to see your final results! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Geraldine C.
I’ve had such a great experience with this orthodontist! From the moment I walked in, I felt genuinely welcomed. The entire office has such a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the staff goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable.

The orthodontist is incredibly kind, patient, and attentive. They take the time to explain everything clearly and make sure you feel at ease throughout the process. You can tell they truly care about their patients and want the best results for you.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review! ❤️ It truly means a lot to us that you felt welcomed and comfortable from the moment you walked through our doors. Creating a positive, supportive environment is something our team cares deeply about, and we’re so glad that came through in your experience.

We’re especially happy to hear that you felt informed and at ease throughout your treatment—that’s exactly what we strive for with every patient. It’s an honor to be part of your smile journey, and we’re so grateful to have you in our MCO family! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Jess Lamberty P.
You’re never to old to have your teeth upgraded! Loved every experience. Pain free process and caring staff.
Response from the owner:Aww, Jess, it was truly a pleasure seeing you today! We’re so grateful to hear that your experience felt positive and comfortable, that really means everything to us. Creating a welcoming environment where you feel at ease is something our whole team genuinely cares about, and it’s wonderful to know that came through during your visit. It’s been an absolute honor to be part of your smile journey, and we look forward to continuing to care for you! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Megan
We have had a great experience with Mill Creek Ortho. The staff is welcoming, kind, and patient. My children love going to their appointments because they get ice cream after every appointment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your family’s experience! It means so much to know your kids look forward to their visits (the ice cream definitely doesn’t hurt 😊). We put a lot of heart into making each appointment feel easy, fun, and comfortable for both parents and kids, so hearing this truly means a lot to our team. We’re grateful to be part of your children’s smile journey and can’t wait to see you all at the next visit! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
ramiro C.
Great service and affordable plans.Brooks is the best.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words! We’re so glad you’ve had a great experience with both our service and payment options, we work hard to keep care accessible and stress-free. And we couldn’t agree more—Brooks will be thrilled to hear your shoutout! We appreciate you and look forward to seeing you again soon. - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Maegan M.
Amazing! The whole staff is so sweet and welcoming. My daughter just got her braces off and it was such an amazing experience. My husband is going to be coming in now too.
Response from the owner:This is so wonderful to read, thank you for sharing it with us! Seeing your daughter finish her braces journey is such a big milestone, and we’re grateful you chose us to be part of it. We’re all about making each visit feel relaxed, friendly, and genuinely enjoyable, so it’s great to know that came through. And how exciting that your husband will be joining us next, we can’t wait to welcome him in and continue taking care of your family’s smiles! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Brandon M.
It has been such a pleasure coming to MillCreek to fix my son’s teeth! They’re always so welcoming and tons of smiling faces!
Response from the owner:Thank you for such a thoughtful note! It’s been a joy having you and your son as part of the MillCreek family. We’re so glad the warm welcomes and smiling faces have made your visits something to look forward to, that’s exactly the kind of experience we aim to create. We appreciate you trusting us with his smile and can’t wait to see you both again soon! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
Liam M.
Very good at explaining everything, great experiences
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing this! We’re so glad to hear you’ve had such great experiences with us. Taking the time to clearly explain each step is something we care deeply about, so it’s wonderful to know that made a difference for you. We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you again soon! - Dr. Markus and the MCO Team!
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Limited Indulgence: Enjoying Sweet Treats with Braces & Invisalign

While it's important to avoid sugary foods and sticky treats with braces and Invisalign, it's okay to have a limited indulgence every now and then. Opt for soft, sweet treats that won't damage your orthodontic appliances, such as a small piece of chocolate or a scoop of ice cream. Just remember to brush and floss afterward to prevent any potential issues.

By allowing yourself the occasional sweet treat, you can satisfy your cravings without jeopardizing your orthodontic treatment. Just be mindful of the frequency and portion size of your indulgences, and practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth and braces or Invisalign clear aligners in good shape.

Maintaining Healthy Habits: Tips for Eating Well with Braces & Invisalign

Aside from avoiding certain foods, it's important to maintain a healthy diet while wearing braces or Invisalign. Be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals to support overall oral health and well-being. Additionally, drinking plenty of water can help keep your mouth clean and hydrated throughout the day.

By focusing on a balanced diet and staying hydrated, you can support the success of your orthodontic treatment and maintain a healthy smile. Remember to continue following your orthodontist's recommendations and practicing good oral hygiene habits to ensure optimal results and a beautiful, confident smile.