I'm on day 2 of my first set of aligners... and I'm already noticing that this is a bigger deal than I expected. I am grazer... I rarely eat a substantial meal and instead much on tiny mini meals all day. I get low blood pressure/ blood sugar if I don't. What's a girl to do? Should I just keep trying to take these things out all day and just rinse after the meals? Yesterday I tried cutting down to three large meals, but I was cranky and miserable all day.
How have other people adapted their eating habits with invisalign?
Eating Habits... what's a "grazer" to do??? :(
Moderator: bbsadmin
I'm pretty new to this, too. I like several little meals a day, instead of 3 big ones. Everyday I do something different. I'm only supposed to brush my teeth twice a day due to gum issues, though, but I can't stand to put the trays back in without brushing.
I have to really want something in order to take the trays out. Meanwhile, I get hungry, then when I do eat, I tend to overeat.
Hopefully, we will figure this out soon!
I have to really want something in order to take the trays out. Meanwhile, I get hungry, then when I do eat, I tend to overeat.
Hopefully, we will figure this out soon!
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waiting2smile
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:04 pm
Lots and lots of water!! haha 
I know how you feel. Im a grazer too and at first it was hard to adapt. I tried the 3 meals a day only thing and I too was not so much fun to be around 
. I have found that if I eat a late breakfast high in fiber and protein Im pretty good until lunch but I will only need a snack before dinner. If I havnt had my aligner out for too long that day I'll pop them out and have something quick that is high fiber or protein (filling) and then brush and pop them back in.
On day where Ive had them out longer than I should (i.e. business lunches ect...) I have something like applesauce, smoothie or sugar free pudding with the aligners in give a quick rinse with water afterwards. Yes it is gross, but I figure its better to sneak a quick snack with them in than to have the aligner out for ltoo ong. The key is to have something that you dont need to chew and is sugar free (no one wants cavities with their pretty teeth!)
Hope this helps a little...
I know how you feel. Im a grazer too and at first it was hard to adapt. I tried the 3 meals a day only thing and I too was not so much fun to be around . I have found that if I eat a late breakfast high in fiber and protein Im pretty good until lunch but I will only need a snack before dinner. If I havnt had my aligner out for too long that day I'll pop them out and have something quick that is high fiber or protein (filling) and then brush and pop them back in. On day where Ive had them out longer than I should (i.e. business lunches ect...) I have something like applesauce, smoothie or sugar free pudding with the aligners in give a quick rinse with water afterwards. Yes it is gross, but I figure its better to sneak a quick snack with them in than to have the aligner out for ltoo ong. The key is to have something that you dont need to chew and is sugar free (no one wants cavities with their pretty teeth!)
Hope this helps a little...
hmm.... I'm thinking I'm only going to be able to go so long being "good" before I start sneaking in soft snacks as well.
I also have a substantial habit of drinking green tea and milk throughout the day. What do people think about sipping these drinks (luke warm or colder of course) with straws and rinsing with water every so often?
I also have a substantial habit of drinking green tea and milk throughout the day. What do people think about sipping these drinks (luke warm or colder of course) with straws and rinsing with water every so often?
I was originally too scared to write a response on this one cause I've had my aligners for about 3 months now and I "eat/drink" in them ALL THE TIME! I had done a bit of laymans research in the academic journals about invisalign and cavities and I didn't find much so, I figured what the heck, I'll give it a go and hope I don't get any cavities or that my teeth don't fall out.
I "eat" yogurt (and other soft foods) almost every morning with my aligners in. I also drink diet soft drinks, diet tea, coffee, fruit smoothies, beer and other frosty bevs (gin/tonic, mojitos, etc). After I "eat/drink" I rinse with water and mouthwash (if avail). After regular meals I brush my teeth and always rinse with mouthwash and use a proxy brush. I hate to admit this but I probably only floss once every other week. That proxy brush is amazing between the teeth and seems to do a better job than the flossing. I have tooth care products at work, in my car, in my purse and on both floors of my house (so I don't have to go up and down the stairs-i'm kinda lazy!).
Anyway, I started getting REALLY worried a few weeks ago cause I realized I've been "eat/drinking" a whole lot in these things. But, GOOD NEWS: I went to the periodontist last week for a teeth cleaning and they said my teeth (&gums) look better than they have in years!! I told them what I'd been doing and they said it was probably the proxy brush & mouthwash. I cant' believe it! YIPEE
))
And, in case your wondering, my aligners really don't get that gross. I do use a LOT of mouthwash. I also use Retainer Brite in the AM & PM and soak in listerine/h2o mix while I eat lunch.
sorry for the long message, just wanted to share my grazing story with ya'll!
I "eat" yogurt (and other soft foods) almost every morning with my aligners in. I also drink diet soft drinks, diet tea, coffee, fruit smoothies, beer and other frosty bevs (gin/tonic, mojitos, etc). After I "eat/drink" I rinse with water and mouthwash (if avail). After regular meals I brush my teeth and always rinse with mouthwash and use a proxy brush. I hate to admit this but I probably only floss once every other week. That proxy brush is amazing between the teeth and seems to do a better job than the flossing. I have tooth care products at work, in my car, in my purse and on both floors of my house (so I don't have to go up and down the stairs-i'm kinda lazy!).
Anyway, I started getting REALLY worried a few weeks ago cause I realized I've been "eat/drinking" a whole lot in these things. But, GOOD NEWS: I went to the periodontist last week for a teeth cleaning and they said my teeth (&gums) look better than they have in years!! I told them what I'd been doing and they said it was probably the proxy brush & mouthwash. I cant' believe it! YIPEE
))And, in case your wondering, my aligners really don't get that gross. I do use a LOT of mouthwash. I also use Retainer Brite in the AM & PM and soak in listerine/h2o mix while I eat lunch.
sorry for the long message, just wanted to share my grazing story with ya'll!
Let me add a follow up... so when I first started the aligners, I too was "good", but six weeks in, and I have already begun eating and drinking with these things in. I've even chomped on those fresh roasted nuts you get from street vendors in nyc... so far my aligners are looking fine. I carry a small travel size bottle of mouthwash with me and plenty of brush ups, and so far, so good. I really pray that this won't lead to cavities down the line though.