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A morning coffee is an essential part of a lot of people's routines. However, many coffee lovers will be disappointed to hear that they should not drink coffee while wearing their Invisalign trays.
If you love coffee and want to find out how you can get your caffeine fix then keep reading, because we'll explain the best way to drink coffee for people who wear Invisalign trays.
What Do Dentists Say About Coffee & Invisalign Trays?
Dentists and orthodontists highly recommend that you only drink water while wearing Invisalign trays.
This is bad news if you're a coffee lover, and if you want to have other drinks, or your morning cup of coffee, then you should remove the Invisalign aligners.
Otherwise, you run a higher risk of damaging your Invisalign trays and slowing down the progress of the Invisalign treatment.
Can You Drink Coffee With Invisalign? (3 Reasons Why Not)
There's a few reasons why you shouldn't drink coffee while wearing Invisalign:
1. Heat
Invisalign is made of thermoplastic and the molds for the Invisalign trays are created by heat. This means that they are pliable when they are exposed to heat from hot beverages.
It means that if you have hot drinks, like hot coffee, while wearing Invisalign then the plastic trays could be twisted or warped.
It's easy enough to get round this factor though, because you can leave your coffee or hot beverage to cool down and drink it at room temperature.
2. Stains
Dark beverages like coffee or tea can stain and discolor your Invisalign trays so they end up looking dirty.
They can stain your teeth and give you a higher risk of cavities, which can cause coffee breath.
Most patients having their teeth fixed want a brilliant smile at the end so it's best to not drink coffee while wearing it.
3. Sugar
A piping hot cup of coffee on its own doesn't have much sugar, but if you drink coffee while wearing Invisalign which contains sugar, syrup, or other sweeteners it can cause issues.
The sugar will sit on your teeth and the Invisalign trays, increasing bacteria growth. This means that sugary hot beverages can cause tooth decay and bad breath.
How To Drink Coffee With Invisalign Trays (Tips For Coffee Lovers)
Coffee lovers may struggle to survive without a fix of caffeine, but the good news is that you can usually just remove your Invisalign so you can have coffee and hot liquids without any issues. Just remember to wear your Invisalign for 20-22 hours every day.[1]
However, if you're a coffee lover that can't remove your Invisalign then there are a few things you can do to keep a bright white smile at the end of your Invisalign treatment:
Can I Drink Coffee With A Straw & Invisalign?
If you don't like removing your Invisalign aligners every time that you take a sip of your coffee, then we recommend drinking through a straw to avoid the risk of staining your aligners and teeth.
However, don't consume a hot beverage with a straw because it can warp the plastic Invisalign.
What Happens If You Drink Coffee With Invisalign?
Invisalign and coffee together is a bad idea. Coffee can stain teeth, as well as aligners. It can also damage or warp the plastic of the Invisalign.
If you are going to indulge in drinking coffee, alcohol, fruit juices, or other beverage, and you are not going to take your Invisalign aligners out, then you should consider these few tips:
FAQs
What happens if you drink iced coffee with Invisalign?
Dentists and orthodontists recommend that you should not consume a beverage that is too cold either.
However, if you do not wish to stop or reduce your intake, then you should drink iced coffee with a straw. You can freely drink cold beverages, but remember to always take care of your teeth and Invisalign.
Can you drink a latte with Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink a latte at room temperature with Invisalign, even though it is not recommended by dentists or orthodontists. Always remember to brush your teeth and Invisalign as soon as you get home.
What else should I avoid drinking while wearing Invisalign?
Other drinks that ideally should be avoided while wearing Invisalign includes:[2]
What can I drink while wearing Invisalign?
Water is essentially the only safe type of beverage that you should drink while wearing Invisalign aligners. Drinking water will help to protect your aligners and teeth, and also help you to achieve the best results within the expected time period.
Conclusion
Just because you're having Invisalign treatment doesn't mean you can't have your morning cup of coffee, but it does mean you need to be more cautious.
Take out the Invisalign when you can, and if you can't then you should avoid hot beverages which can damage the brace.
If you do drink coffee then try to clean your teeth straight afterwards. This will lower your risk of tooth decay, remove sugar, and prevent staining of your teeth and the Invisalign.
References:
1. https://www.dentcaredentaloffice.com/blog/2021/10/13/how-to-meet-22-hour-wear-time-with-invisalign/
2. https://www.bunkerhilldentistry.com/2018/10/18/drinking-with-invisalign-whats-good-whats-bad/
