If you have an active social life, Invisalign is ideal for you because this treatment barely affects your appearance. The clear nature of Invisalign braces makes them a discreet way to straighten your teeth. But some of the habits you might have while socializing can harm Invisalign aligners.

For the most part, Invisalign will have little effect on your social life. But avoid the following habits as you socialize to keep your aligners in good shape. 

Smoking while wearing your aligners

Cigarettes contain tar. This tar can stain your aligners if you smoke while wearing them. Remove your aligners before smoking and brush and floss your teeth before you replace your aligners after smoking. This will remove any residual tar or nicotine.

Drinking dark-coloured alcohol

If you enjoy alcohol while out with friends, refrain from drinking dark alcoholic beverages like wine and beer. Dark-coloured drinks will stain your aligners.

Eating foods that might stain your aligners

For the most part, you can eat whatever you want while wearing your aligners. But certain foods have high levels of pigmentation, such as pizza sauce, curry and soy sauce. Eating these foods with your aligners may stain your aligners and your teeth.

Eating hard foods with your aligners in

If you like eating hard foods like raw veggies, nuts and popcorn, avoid them, change the way you eat them, or take your aligners out when eating hard foods. You could still enjoy nuts by crushing them first or raw vegetables by chopping them up first. If you eat hard foods while wearing aligners, you could break them.

Taking your aligners out for too long

Always stick to the wearing time recommended by your dentist. Most orthodontists recommend 22 hours of wearing time for each aligner. This gives the aligners time to move your teeth into the planned positions.

So don't be tempted to take your Invisalign aligners out for the duration of social activities. There will be times when you remove your aligners for convenience. But always keep track of how long you have worn your aligners. Otherwise, you could leave them out too long. This will slow down your treatment.

Failing to store your aligners safely if you remove them

Your orthodontist should give you a special case to keep your aligners in when you take them out. Be careful to store your aligners in that case every time you take them out. Keep the case in your pocket. This will ensure that you don't lose your aligners during social activities.