One of the many perks of Invisalign® treatment is that it requires minimal lifestyle changes! Invisalign is designed to be clear, convenient, removable, discrete and effective! While there are not many restrictions with Invisalign clear aligners, there are some drinking restrictions while your aligners are in place. Understanding when to take out your aligners is important in protecting your smile and your investment!
When you visit us for your free orthodontic exam, Dr. King will tell you everything you need to know about Invisalign treatment. He will take the time to discuss any temporary dietary changes you’ll have to make to ensure that your treatment is as effective, efficient, and comfortable as possible.
The Safest Drink for Invisalign
The best thing you can do (not only for your health, but for your clear aligners too) is drink water! Water is the only drink you can have without removing your aligners. Invisalign trays are prone to stain, and can become damaged or warped by hot beverages. More importantly, drinking sugary beverages while wearing your Invisalign trays is bad for your teeth!
When you drink sugary, carbonated beverages while wearing your trays, those sugars are trapped on the surface of your teeth and between your teeth. This can lead to plaque build-up, and eventually tooth decay!
If you happen to drink something other than water while wearing your trays, don’t worry! Simply remove your clear aligners, rinse them under water, and use a travel toothbrush to brush your teeth and aligners.
Drinks to Avoid while Wearing Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners are clear for a reason, and we want to help you keep them that way! It’s important to know that casually drinking green tea, coffee, alcohol or smoothies with invisalign can damage your aligners and potentially harm your teeth. Be in-the-know on which drinks you should avoid to prevent damage to your aligners and to ensure a successful, timely treatment!
Here is a Quick List of Drinks to Avoid while Wearing Invisalign :
- Hot drinks
- Teas
- Coffee
- Wine and Beer
- Soda
- Juice
- Carbonated/sparkling water
- Milk
- Smoothies
Invisalign and Hot Drinks
It’s no secret that Invisalign and coffee do not mix well! After all, coffee is infamous for staining the teeth, so imagine what it can do to your aligners!While that is true, coffee and other hot drinks can do more damage than just staining your aligners.! Drinking coffee and hot drinks with Invisalign can permanently damage your aligners, because heat naturally warps plastic. When clear aligners become warped, they no longer fit as well as intended, which can create an ineffective treatment.
This is why it is also important to remember that you should clean your aligners with room temperature water. Boiling or soaking your aligners in hot water can damage your trays and affect the fit and comfort as well.
When your custom aligners are made, a sheet of the Invisalign plastic is first heat-softened, and then vacuum-formed (sucked down) over a model of your teeth, thus giving the aligner its precise shape. Drinking hot beverages with your aligners incan alter the intended precision of your trays.
What Will Stain Invisalign?
It is important to remember that your Invisalign clear aligners are easily stained. Drinking juices, red wine, or coffee with Invisalign can cause discoloration in your trays. We encourage you to only drink water while wearing your aligners, but if you accidentally stain them, we have a fix! Soaking your aligners in a retainer cleaning solution, like Retainer Brite®, can effectively minimize these stains.
Retainer Brite is the #1 doctor-recommended brand to cleanInvisalign trays, retainers, night guards and any other removable dental appliance! You can use these tablets to clean and disinfect your aligners with the professional strength of a dental office at home. Keeping your clear aligners clean is essential for maintaining your oral health. If you don’t take cleaning measures seriously, bacteria can build up in the aligners, which can cause health complications for your teeth and gums.
Invisalign and Drinking with a Straw
We have a lot of patients ask if they can still drink whatever they want if they use a straw with Invisalign. While you may have heard of this trick for teeth whitening, it does not work in regards to keeping your aligners safe. Hot drinks will still cause heat damage, and sugars can still be trapped in your teeth.
It is important to remember that while these drink restrictions sound like a downside to Invisalign treatment, Invisalign clear aligners are made to be comfortable and fit your lifestyle. When you compare the dietary restrictions with braces vs Invisalign, you’ll find that clear aligners are much easier to manage!
Still Have Questions About How to Care for Your Invisalign Aligners?
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about getting started with Invisalign and protecting your aligners! Our goal is to help you choose the best treatment option for you. We encourage you to schedule your free exam or reach out to us at our Jupiter office (561-747-5766) today!