I know what you are thinking - another baseless weight loss claim. It is easy to assume that Invisalign aligners might help with weight loss since they must be worn as much as possible and not while eating. However, despite claims of Invisalign and weight loss, the general consensus is that there is no link between tooth aligners and weight loss.
But, some patients are reporting side effects like minor weight fluctuations and as much as 10 or 15 pounds of weight loss due to the “Invisalign Diet” and orthodontic treatment. So what’s the deal, you ask? Why do patients see changes in their weight?
Below, we have hypothesized about what could lead some teens and adults to lose weight during their Invisalign treatment.
IT HELPS CUT DOWN ON SNACKING
The Invisalign treatment plan requires you to wear your aligners for 22 hours daily. This rule allows only two hours for oral hygiene, eating, or other activities requiring removal.
Eating is impossible while wearing the trays because the pressure of biting down will break them. So, patients who tend to graze on snacks throughout the day notice the impulse is much less. Meals and snacks have to be carefully planned. Each time a patient decides to eat, they have to undergo a long process of removing the trays, eating, brushing their teeth and trays, and then replacing them back in their mouth.
Removing the trays is easy but typically done in privacy. If someone brought a dozen donuts to the office break room, pulling the aligners out to enjoy that sweet treat may not be worth it. And those who do indulge are highly advised not to slip the clear aligners over the food residue left on their teeth.
Dr. Bruno, your provider of Invisalign in Queens, NY, says wearing Invisalign causes patients to pause and think before eating something. From a nutritional point of view, this is not such a bad thing after all.
MORE SELF AWARENESS
Even though the alignment trays are customized and practically invisible, patients still report being aware of the trays several times a day. It can lead to more self-awareness of their general appearance and spark an interest in improving other aspects of the body. Some may start diets as part of a general trend of overall self-improvement.
TENDER TEETH AFTER ADJUSTMENTS
When a patient first gets a set of aligners or when they move up to the next stage of trays, many people report feeling soreness in the teeth and gums from the adjustment period. Although this usually lasts only for a day or two, some patients say the tenderness has led to a lack of interest in eating to avoid pain. It could lead to overall weight loss, but in most cases, appetites soon return as the mouth adjusts. Any weight loss during the adjustment period is usually balanced out as the patient feels more comfortable.
GET YOUR INVISALIGN IN QUEENS, NY
While Invisalign in Queens, NY, is not scientifically linked to weight loss, treatment does offer the opportunity to reexamine your diet while straightening your teeth. It can be a successful way to promote oral health and increase confidence. And because treatment can take several months to a few years, why not use that time to develop mindful eating habits? The more you can cut down on processed foods and sugar, the better.
Schedule an appointment for Invisalign in Queens, NY, with Dr. Robert W. Bruno, DDS.
