Whether you’re new to Invisalign teeth aligners or you’ve already had experience with a good old-fashioned set of braces, you’ll be happy to know that yes, you can drink any sort of liquid you’d normally drink. That said, there are some considerations you should keep in mind. Take your aligners out before you drink, and know that some kinds of drinks aren’t safe for your teeth as they undergo straightening.
If you use Invisalign correctly and engage in healthy drinking practices, your pearly whites will shine as a complement to your newly straightened teeth.
Do I Have to Take Out My Invisalign to Drink?
It’s a great idea to remove your Invisalign and store them in their protective case before drinking. There are multiple reasons to do so. Some beverages, such as red wine or coffee, can stain your aligners. Others, such as soda or energy drinks, could lead to a buildup of acid beneath your Invisalign, escalating tooth decay and the damage that these drinks do to teeth. Additionally, if the beverage is hot (think coffee or tea), the heat can warp your aligners.
Taking out your Invisalign allows you to enjoy your favorite drink. However, it’s important to wear Invisalign for about 20 to 22 hours per day. Be sure to replace your aligners as soon as possible after drinking.
Can You Drink Water With Invisalign?
It’s a good idea to drink cold or room-temperature water while wearing your Invisalign. In fact, drinking water is beneficial for your dental health and your overall well being. Water can dislodge food particles and can even help you remove built-up sugar from beneath your Invisalign. The fluoride in tap water may even reduce the number of cavities you’ll get in your lifetime by as much as 25%.
If you like to drink hot water on cold days, don’t do it when you’re wearing aligners. Like hot coffee or tea, hot water can warp Invisalign molds. Even though Drubi Orthodontics offers comprehensive financing options, it will still cost you money to replace warped Invisalign trays.
Can You Drink Coffee or Tea With Invisalign?
It’s not a good idea to drink hot coffee or tea with Invisalign. The heat may warp the plastic, in which case you’ll find yourself needing to buy a new set of aligners. If you’re going to drink coffee or tea with your Invisalign in, do it once the beverage is warm or at room temperature. However, be advised that excessive coffee consumption can stain Invisalign retainers, and adding sugar to coffee or tea will contribute to tooth decay. If you’re going to drink a lot of coffee, do it with a straw.
This is not to say that coffee and tea are bad for you. There are health benefits to unsweetened coffee and tea, including antioxidants that may decrease an individual’s risk of getting certain types of cancer. What’s more, tea has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties; both coffee and tea contribute to circulatory system health, which may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Can You Drink Alcohol, Beer, or Wine With Invisalign?
As mentioned earlier, it’s a great idea to take your Invisalign out before drinking alcoholic beverages. Red wine and dark beer can stain your Invisalign, while other beers and cocktails with sugary ingredients increase tooth decay — especially if you’re wearing aligners that trap the sugars.
If you are going to indulge in alcohol and are not able to take your Invisalign out, consider the following tips:
- Use a straw: Straws allow the liquid to bypass your teeth and aligners, although it’s virtually impossible to eliminate all tooth-aligner-liquid contact.
- Drink clear drinks: Gin and vodka are the least sugary; combine them with tonic or soda water and avoid fruit juices or colas.
- Rinse with water: Drink plenty of water and rinse your teeth with it to help remove pigments and sugar.
- Bring a travel toothbrush and paste: If you’re attending an event and will be drinking during the event, brush your teeth whenever you get the chance. You can remove your Invisalign to brush, which helps make it easier to avoid plaque or tartar buildup.
Again, it’s best to remove Invisalign before drinking. Rinse your teeth with water or brush them before putting your aligners back in.
Can You Drink Soda With Invisalign?
It’s a bad idea to drink soda with Invisalign — instead, take your aligners out and then drink soda with a straw. Drinking with a straw will decrease the tooth decay that results from the combination of sugar and bacteria in your mouth. When the sugar and bacteria combine, they create an acid that eats away at your teeth. Even diet sodas pose the same problem.
If you drink soda with your Invisalign in, this problem is multiplied. Your aligners will trap the sugar and acid, which speeds up the process of decay. Remove your Invisalign before drinking soda and rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth before replacing the aligners.
Invisalign Drinking With a Straw
Again, drinking beverages with a straw is recommended when you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment. A straw allows the liquid less contact with your teeth and less contact with your Invisalign if they’re still in. If you simply must drink a sugary or alcoholic drink with Invisalign, use a straw. For bonus points, use a biodegradable, compostable, eco-friendly straw to lower your carbon footprint.
Tips for Drinking With Invisalign
As you’ll see, wearing Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours per day and not drinking alcohol, soda, coffee, or tea is no small feat. Since you will want to drink your favorite beverage with Invisalign at one time or another, consider the following tips to ensure you’re maintaining the necessary hygiene.
- Take your aligners out before drinking hot coffee or tea, red wine or beer, and soda.
- Take your Invisalign case with you when you’re going out — do not store aligners in a napkin.
- Rinse your teeth with water or brush them before replacing Invisalign to avoid possible decalcification or other hygiene issues.
- Let coffee — or any hot drink — cool down first before drinking with Invisalign in.
- Stick to clear alcoholic beverages such as gin or vodka; don’t use sugary mixers — instead try tonic or soda water.
Drink plenty of cold or room temperature water throughout your Invisalign treatment.