Do you love starting your morning with a warm cup of coffee? Maybe you reach for an iced latte in the afternoon for a little burst of energy. Whatever the case may be, you might be wondering if you will need to give up this caffeinated beverage during your teeth-straightening journey with Invisalign. Read on to find out the answer!
True or False: You Can Drink Coffee with Invisalign
Good news: you don’t have to give up coffee during your Invisalign treatment. You do, however, need to remove your aligners first. Otherwise, they will quickly discolor, drawing unwanted attention to your braces. Plus, hot coffee can cause the plastic to warp, which can lead to unwanted treatment plan delays. So, always make sure you take them off beforehand.
One Important Thing to Keep in Mind
Invisalign doesn’t come with very many rules, but there is one important one: you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Since that only leaves you with a few hours of aligner-free time each day, you need to be strategic. For example, you should drink your coffee with your breakfast or lunch since your aligners will already be out. You should also rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth shortly after so you can put your trays back on ASAP.
How To: Drink Coffee the “Smile-Friendly” Way
Unfortunately, the fact that coffee is acidic and dark in color makes it not the best for your smile. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to prevent enamel erosion and dental discoloration. The first step is keeping additives, like sugar, to a minimum. The second step is using a straw so the liquid has minimal-to-no contact with your teeth. The third step was mentioned above: rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth when you’re done so you can put your aligners back on.
Ultimately, you don’t have to choose between coffee and a straight smile – you can have both!
About the Practice
In addition to offering traditional braces, our team at Simply Orthodontics – Webster offers Invisalign. The entire process begins with an exam, which is when we will determine if you’re a candidate and, if you are, create a custom series of aligners. Throughout the teeth-straightening process, we are here to answer any questions that come up – from which products to use to keep your aligners clean to which foods and drinks you should avoid for the sake of your oral health. If you want to learn more about the orthodontic treatments we offer, then schedule a consultation with us via our website or by phone at (508) 943-2100.