You can’t imagine getting your morning started without that energizing cup of coffee. There’s a lot of work to be done and you need some pep in your step. If you are beginning treatment with Invisalign clear aligners soon, you might be wondering if your coffee habit is going to affect your smile. You’ll be glad to know that you can still drink coffee with Invisalign, but they just won’t be a pair that go together at the same time. Read on to learn from your dentist in Sachse about why that is, plus tips for enjoying coffee during the process of straightening your teeth.
What If I Tried to Drink Coffee While Wearing My Invisalign Trays?
When you’re going through Invisalign treatment, you shouldn’t eat anything while wearing the aligners. The only thing you should drink is plain water. Why? Drinking coffee with your trays in could have several negative consequences like:
Staining – Any beverage besides water could discolor your aligners, making people more likely to notice you’re wearing them. Your teeth might also stain, as the trays will trap some of the coffee against them.
Higher risk of tooth decay – Most people add cream and sugar to their coffee. Even if you don’t, coffee is acidic. When coffee is stuck between the trays and your teeth, it exposes your enamel to acid and possibly sugar, increasing the risk of cavities.
Aligners changing shape – Invisalign trays are made from plastic that tends to warp when exposed to heat. Drinking a piping-hot mug of coffee could cause your trays to not fit correctly anymore, creating delays in your treatment.
For these reasons, you should never drink coffee while wearing Invisalign. However, that doesn’t mean you have to cut out the beverage entirely.
How Can I Enjoy Coffee without Compromising My Invisalign Treatment?
If you can’t even imagine starting your day without coffee, don’t worry. You can still enjoy it during your Invisalign treatment. However, you’ll have to make a few adjustments:
- Take your aligners out first – Before taking that first sip, remove your trays and store them safely in their carrying case to prevent them from getting lost or damaged.
- Cut down on cream and sugar – The less cream and sugar in your coffee, the reduced opportunity for cavity-causing bacteria to grow on your aligners.
- Drink your coffee quickly – Leisurely sipping your coffee isn’t an option with Invisalign. Try to finish it in 15-30 minutes. That way, you’re still likely to hit the 20 to 22-hour daily requirement for wearing your trays.
- Brush or rinse once you’re done – As soon as you’re finished with your coffee, brush your teeth and rinse off your trays before putting them back into your mouth. If you can’t brush, at least swish some water around for a few seconds.
“So, can I drink coffee with Invisalign?” You most certainly can – just be sure to follow these tips from your dentist in Sachse so you keep yourself on course to achieve successful Invisalign treatment for a winning smile!
About the Author
Dr. Travis Rottman strives to provide optimal dental care to patients of all ages in Sachse, Wylie, Murphy, and surrounding communities. Dr. Rottman earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. He maintains membership in the Academy of General Dentistry. If you are interested in Invisalign, he can utilize it to help you correct crowded teeth, bite alignment, or gaps between teeth. You can schedule a consultation on his website or by calling (972) 848-0073.