Oh boy, we get asked this a lot! In fact, wondering what you can drink with Invisalign clear aligners might just be the most common question we receive. And then on top of that, everyone will have their favourites — is coffee okay? What about tea? Or juice? Are there any Invisalign-acceptable drinks?
The good news is that when you have Invisalign clear aligners on, you won't really have to change your lifestyle much at all. That's in stark comparison to regular braces, which can have some not-so-nice complications when it comes to what you can and can’t drink — not to mention the fact that they're tricky to keep clean.
Of course, when you have Invisalign clear aligners on, you are looking to give yourself a brighter smile — so there are some things to be aware of when you’re drinking your favourite beverage.
Let's get all of your drink-related questions answered, and talk about what you need to know during your Invisalign treatment.
Let's look at cheaper teeth-straightening options, how they manage to get their costs down, and how that compares to Invisalign treatment.
Coffee is great. It's the morning drink of choice for billions of people around the world, and it may give you the pick-me-up you need to get through your day. But can you drink coffee during your Invisalign treatment?
The answer is... yes, but not when you are wearing your Invisalign aligners. You see, coffee won't necessarily affect your Invisalign treatment, but it can cause staining on your aligners and teeth. And if you're trying to achieve a beautiful smile, then you might want to avoid anything that will cause staining.
So, if you do want to drink coffee, we recommend that you take out your Invisalign aligners, and brush your teeth (or at least rinse your mouth with water) before you put them back in. Just remember, you might need to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours a day for the potential best results. Oh, and we also recommend cutting back on the cream and sugar if you can — your teeth will thank you for it!
Just like coffee, tea can also cause staining on your Invisalign aligners. But we know that tea is a way of life for some, so if you do want to drink tea, then we recommend removing your Invisalign aligners before you sip. Once you've finished your tea, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water, and you're good to put your aligners back in.
Yes, you can drink sugary drinks during your Invisalign treatment, but keep in mind, that drinking sugary drinks are generally not the best for your teeth, whether you are undergoing Invisalign treatment or not.
Sugary beverages like fizzy drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices can cause all sorts of problems for your teeth, especially tooth decay1. The sugar and acid from these drinks may get trapped against your teeth by your Invisalign aligner, and over time, this can cause serious damage.
So, if you are undergoing Invisalign treatment, we recommend you only drink sugary beverages in moderation. We're no party poopers — if you do want to have a treat now and again, then we recommend that you remove your Invisalign aligners before you drink your sugary drink, and brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
Yes, you can — and we suggest that you do! Drinking plenty of water is great for your teeth and gums, and it will also help to keep your Invisalign aligners clean. In fact, room temperature water (not too hot, or it may affect your Invisalign aligners) is the only drink we recommend you drink with your Invisalign aligners in your mouth.
So drink water, and drink plenty of it!
Yes, you can drink sparkling water during your Invisalign treatment, but we recommend that you opt for plain old water most of the time. Sparkling water, soda water, and seltzer are all slightly acidic, and if you drink them too often, they may start to wear away at your enamel2. So, like sugary drinks, we recommend you only drink sparkling water in moderation. And, of course, remove your Invisalign aligners before you take a sip!
You are welcome to drink lemon water during your Invisalign treatment, but as you might have guessed, lemon juice is acidic3, meaning it can cause tooth erosion if you drink it too often. So, as with sparkling water and sugary drinks, we recommend that you only drink lemon water in moderation, and be sure to remove your Invisalign aligners before you drink it.
All fruit juice is acidic, but some fruit juices are more acidic than others4. For example, lemon juice and lime juice are more acidic than apple juice. To stay on the safe side, we recommend only drinking juice in moderation or on special occasions and sticking with less acidic juices like apple juice, peach juice, and pear juice. And, as always, be sure to remove your Invisalign aligners before you indulge and rinse your mouth afterwards!
Yes, you can drink milk during your Invisalign treatment. Unlike many other drinks on this list, milk is not acidic5, but it does contain some sugars6, and you don't want any sugar being trapped against your teeth by your Invisalign clear aligners.
If you enjoy a glass of milk, take out your Invisalign aligners first, and rinse your mouth with water afterwards to ensure your most potential beautiful smile.
Yes, you can drink with a straw while wearing your Invisalign clear aligners, as it will (at least in part) help reduce the contact any sugar, acid, or any other nasties have with your teeth. This is because a straw helps the liquid bypass your mouth, or at the very least, reduces the time the liquid is lingering in your mouth.
It's not a free pass to drink whatever you want though, as drinking through a straw will not completely protect your teeth from drink-related damage. If you do use a straw while you have your Invisalign aligners on, make sure you still brush, or at least rinse, afterwards.
Ultimately, you won't have to make too many changes to your eating or drinking habits during your Invisalign treatment, especially compared to traditional braces. Invisalign clear aligners are made with incredible precision, meaning not only do they fit your teeth and mouth perfectly, but you can also put them in and take them out with ease.
So, when it comes to your Invisalign treatment, you can pretty much drink what you want — just remember to take out your aligners first, and rinse and brush your teeth afterwards! If you're drinking room-temperature water, feel free to leave your Invisalign aligners in.
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this website are for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you may have regarding any dental or medical-related condition and never disregard or delay seeking such advice because of something you have read on this website.
