Having well-aligned teeth can bring a wealth of oral and overall health benefits as well as the confidence that comes with a beautifully straight smile. However, many would-be orthodontic patients are hesitant to commit to conspicuous and irremovable metal braces that come with a long list of dietary restrictions. While Invisalign is a comfortable and discreet way to straighten your grin while eating and drinking whatever you like, some foods and beverages can be harmful without the right precautions. Here’s how to drink coffee while staying on top of your Invisalign treatment.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Once you are cleared for Invisalign, the process begins with your dentist carefully measuring the positions of your teeth and jaws to gather the data the treatment requires. Using this information, the team at a special lab will manufacture a sequence of customized clear aligner trays designed to fit your teeth.
You’ll need to wear each set of aligners for at least twenty hours each day for about two weeks before switching to the next set in the sequence. While these trays are designed to exert the force necessary to gradually shift your teeth into better alignment, they are completely removable so you can enjoy meals and perform oral hygiene normally.
Is It Safe to Drink Beverages with Invisalign?
Invisalign clear aligners are designed to fit snugly over your pearly whites, but plaque, food debris, or residues trapped between your trays and your teeth will be protected from your mouth’s natural cleaning process. To prevent this, it is imperative to always thoroughly brush and floss your teeth before inserting your aligners while also cleaning the appliances on a daily basis. While it’s safe to drink normal water while wearing your aligners, eating or drinking anything else with them in can cause them to become stained or damaged.
Will Drinking Coffee Disrupt My Invisalign Treatment?
While coffee is an incredibly popular beverage, it is also slightly acidic and heavy with pigments and tannins. Acid exposure weakens your enamel and leaves your teeth more vulnerable to the stains caused by pigments and tannins, so it’s important to ensure that any coffee you drink is cleaned away from your teeth before putting your trays back in. It’s also a great idea to drink plenty of water alongside your coffee to help wash the dark liquid away from your pearly whites.
While it’s perfectly fine to drink coffee with Invisalign as long as you are practicing proper oral hygiene, you may have to cut down on your java consumption to minimize the amount of time you go without wearing your aligners each day. Strictly complying with your treatment will allow you to achieve the best possible results.
About the Author
Dr. Sienna Palmer earned her dental degree at the prestigious Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California. She is a preferred Invisalign provider as well as a proud member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Orange County Dental Society. Her office on Mission Viejo offers general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign services. To book your Invisalign consultation, contact her office online or dial (949) 365-0951.