Your Southern Ontario Invisalign® Provider
You may wonder if you can still enjoy your morning coffee with Invisalign. Here, our Village Orthodontics orthodontists answer the question, 'Can you drink coffee with Invisalign?' and share tips for protecting your teeth and clear aligners.
Can I drink coffee while wearing my Invisalign trays?
Millions of people worldwide love coffee, but those using Invisalign for orthodontic treatment may wonder if it's okay to drink coffee while wearing clear aligners. If you are a coffee lover, you may have concerns about how drinking your favourite brew could affect your Invisalign clear aligners and whether you should even continue to enjoy it.
In this article, we explore common questions about drinking coffee while using Invisalign and discuss the available options for coffee enthusiasts.
Coffee & Invisalign: How to Drink Your Morning Brew
Using Invisalign doesn't mean you have to give up your favourite morning beverage entirely. Here are some things you can do to still enjoy coffee (in moderation, of course) and avoid damage to your teeth and aligners:
- Take out your aligners, rinse them, and place them in their case while you drink your coffee.
- Your treatment depends on your compliance. This means that you should limit the time you spend drinking coffee to ensure that you have your aligners in for at least 22 hours each day.
- Try to stick to black coffee to avoid sugars, which can become stuck in the teeth and increase the risk of cavities.
- Always brush your teeth before you put your aligners back in. Failure to do so can trap sugar and coffee particles, which can contribute to cavities.
Why We Recommend Drinking Only Water While Wearing Invisalign
Our orthodontists recommend against anything other than water when wearing your Invisalign clear aligners. So, if you are wondering, 'Can I drink coffee through a straw with Invisalign?' or 'Can I drink cold coffee with Invisalign?' The answer will always be no.
Here are some reasons why you shouldn't drink coffee with Invisalign:
Sugar leads to cavities: Unless you drink black coffee, your coffee likely contains sugar, which can get stuck between your teeth and Invisalign and cause cavities.
Coffee (and other beverages) can cause stains: Coffee contains tannins (substances that give certain foods and drinks their colour and bitterness). These can lead to staining on the teeth and aligners.
Heat can damage your aligners: Your Invisalign aligners were moulded using heat to fit your teeth, so drinking coffee is not recommended as it can warp the aligners.
The good news is that Invisalign offers ease and flexibility. You can simply remove them while you drink your coffee. Then, you just brush your teeth, give your aligners a good rinse and pop them back in after!
Is coffee the only concern when it comes to Invisalign?
While the questions in this post are directed toward coffee and Invisalign, this information and advice can also benefit those who enjoy other hot beverages, including tea or cocoa. To avoid staining and warping, you should always remove your aligners before drinking hot beverages.
If you now find yourself asking, 'Can I drink cold or iced coffee with Invisalign?' the answer is still no. While heat-related warping isn't an issue with cold or room-temperature beverages, ones such as cold coffee, fruit juices, and wine can cause staining and the sugars can become trapped between the aligners and your teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and decay.
However, feel free to drink as much water as you'd like while wearing your Invisalign clear aligners. Water is sugar-free and clear, making it a safe choice while protecting your aligners. Whether you are drinking hot or cold beverages, you should remove your aligners if drinking anything other than water. This will help to protect both your teeth and your clear aligners.
The Impact of Invisalign on Your Routine
Many patients are willing to sacrifice coffee or, at the very least, cut back on how much they drink to ensure an optimal outcome with Invisalign. That said, with some small changes, you can still have the occasional cup of Joe to get your day started.
You may find that a morning cup of coffee helps you maintain your daily routine, and for some, coffee can give a quick energy boost. It may even help you maintain oral hygiene, as you will regularly brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after drinking coffee during Invisalign treatment. The important thing is to follow the guidelines set by your orthodontist, which may include the advice mentioned above, and always take out your Invisalign when drinking anything other than water.