If you are beginning orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, you may have concerns about daily routines, like drinking coffee with Invisalign. Here, our Surrey orthodontists answer the question, 'Can you drink coffee with Invisalign?' and discuss the related considerations.
Coffee & Invisalign
When it comes to orthodontic treatment, patients often have questions about food and drink restrictions. If you're a coffee enthusiast, you might be wondering how your favourite brew fits in with your new Invisalign routine. Can you drink coffee while wearing Invisalign? Or will you have to give it up in order to achieve a straighter, healthier smile? In this blog post, we will discuss coffee drinking while undergoing treatment with Invisalign and provide practical tips on how to maintain your aligners while still enjoying your morning (or afternoon) coffee.
So, can I drink coffee with Invisalign?
The short answer is yes. You can technically enjoy your favourite caffeinated beverage while using Invisalign, but you will need to remove your Invisalign clear aligners first. Coffee is acidic and usually dark in colour, which can lead to unsightly staining on your clear aligners. Another important note is that hot beverages can also warp the plastic that your aligners are made from, which can impact the success of your treatment.
Some considerations to note when removing your aligners to drink coffee are:
Cleaning Your Teeth & Aligners: Once you have finished drinking your coffee, it is important to brush your teeth so any residual coffee doesn't stain your aligners. Any time you remove your aligners, you should also give them a rinse before putting them back in to remove any saliva or debris that may be present.
Time Management: You must wear your Invisalign clear aligners for 22 hours each day and monitor how often you remove them. Not wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day may result in longer treatment times. Remember, in order for Invisalign to shift your teeth, you need to wear your aligners.
The Benefits of Drinking Coffee While Wearing Invisalign
While you won't actually be drinking coffee while the aligners are still in place, many patients have found benefits in continuing to drink coffee throughout their treatment with Invisalign. This includes:
Maintaining a Daily Routine: For many patients, coffee is a standard part of their daily routine. This makes Invisalign appealing, as there is no need to give up coffee (or your favourite snacks) during treatment. Just take them out while you sip, then pop them back in right after (remember to brush your teeth and rinse your aligners first).
Mental Boost: Coffee offers many people a much-needed energy boost, which can be appreciated, especially while you are adjusting to your new aligners.
Consistent Cleaning: Because you will need to brush your teeth and rinse your aligners after drinking coffee, your daily coffee routine can, in a way, help keep you on track with oral hygiene.
When in Doubt, Take Them Out!
As mentioned above, a common question we receive from our patients is, 'Can I drink coffee while wearing Invisalign?' We've explained that yes, you can, but you should remove your aligners first. That said, this isn't limited to coffee. We offer the same advice when it comes to drinking hot tea, cocoa, or other hot beverages. As we previously mentioned, you wouldn't want to warp your aligners!
What about cold beverages? Many patients also ask, 'Can I drink iced coffee with Invisalign?' While there isn't a concern regarding heat in this situation, we would still suggest removing your clear aligners, as they can still be stained by iced coffee. Your teeth and aligners should be cleaned to remove any coffee and sugars before putting them back in. The same goes for drinking sodas or other coloured beverages.
However, you can drink as much water as you'd like without removing your Invisalign clear aligners. Water is sugar-free and clear, making it a safe choice for protecting your aligners.
Just remember, when in doubt, take them out.