When undergoing orthodontic treatment, you will need to make some minor adjustments to your lifestyle. Here, our orthodontists in Surrey answer questions such as 'What can you drink with Invisalign in?' and discuss how to easily care for your clear aligners.
Drinking With Invisalign
Patients often come to us asking, 'What can I drink with Invisalign or braces?'. The answer to this depends on which type of orthodontic treatment you are receiving.
Traditional braces are bonded to your teeth and are generally made from stainless steel or ceramic material that doesn’t easily stain, allowing you to drink most beverages within reason. With Invisalign, you need to remove your aligners before drinking anything other than cool or room-temperature water. Below, we go into more detail about the impact of beverages on clear aligners and how you can help care for them.
Why should I stick to water while wearing Invisalign aligners?
Our orthodontists recommend against drinking anything other than water when wearing your Invisalign clear aligners. You should remove your aligners to drink anything else, regardless of what the other beverage may be or how you drink it (this includes using straws).
Here are some reasons why you shouldn't drink anything other than water with Invisalign:
- Sugar leads to cavities: Most beverages contain sugar, which can get stuck between your teeth and Invisalign and cause cavities.
- Beverages can cause stains: Many beverages contain substances such as tannins, phosphoric acid and chromogens, which all can stain your teeth and your aligners.
- Hot beverages can damage your aligners: Invisalign aligners are created using heat to fit your teeth, so drinking coffee, tea or other hot beverages is not recommended as it can warp them.
Luckily, Invisalign is a convenient and flexible orthodontic treatment option. You can easily take them out to enjoy your coffee or juice. Afterward, just brush your teeth, rinse your aligners thoroughly, and put them back in!
What beverages should you avoid while wearing clear aligners?
The most straightforward answer to this question is to avoid anything other than water. However, some of the most commonly consumed beverages that can stain or damage your Invisalign clear aligners are:
- Coffee
- Teas
- Wines with red or purple hues
- Dark sodas
- Juices and Kool-Aid
Considerations During Invisalign Treatment
To prevent cavities, staining, and other problems while undergoing Invisalign treatment, you should:
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Remove your Invisalign aligners and place them in their case before drinking.
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Avoid sipping drinks slowly over hours. This means finishing soda or sports drinks in one sitting. This allows remineralization to work and reduces acid damage to your teeth.
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Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Water helps wash away sugar, acid, and plaque. It also promotes saliva production, which is essential for neutralizing plaque acids and maintaining healthy teeth.
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Before reinserting your aligners after having a drink, swish water in your mouth and spit it out. If you’re out enjoying drinks in a social setting, rinsing your mouth occasionally can help.
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Maintain your oral hygiene. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste every morning, after meals and snacks, and before going to bed. Additionally, remember to floss daily.
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Remember, everything should be enjoyed in moderation. A glass of wine or coffee is perfectly fine (with your aligners out, of course), but moderation is the key to a healthy smile.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene & Aligner Care During Treatment
There are some simple precautions you can take to care for your aligners during treatment and maintain your oral health.
Brush & Floss Your Teeth First
Removing your Invisalign aligners is essential whenever you eat or drink anything other than water. Before reinserting them, make sure to brush and floss your teeth. Otherwise, food particles can get trapped between your teeth and the aligners.
Since saliva cannot move past the aligners to eliminate this debris, it will stay pressed against your teeth, potentially causing cavities and tooth decay. This is why it might be a good idea to carry a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss kit with you.
Keep Your Trays Clean
It’s crucial to keep your Invisalign aligners clean. Otherwise, plaque and bacteria can accumulate on the trays. When you put the trays back in, all that plaque and bacteria will be transferred to your mouth.
Follow these steps to maintain the cleanliness of your Invisalign:
- Soak the trays for at least three minutes daily with an Invisalign cleaning solution. After soaking, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush the trays.
- Each morning and evening, clean your trays using a soft-bristled toothbrush, mild soap and water. This practice eliminates bacteria, leftover food particles, and sugars that gather throughout the day.
- After removing the trays, rinse them with lukewarm water (avoid hot water) before reinserting. This helps to reduce plaque buildup.
- Keep your Invisalign aligners in their case to ensure they remain clean and protected from bacteria.