Invisalign is a great option to achieve a straight smile without brackets and wires. It’s a comfortable, discreet method of correcting various bite and alignment problems. Although Invisalign offers many benefits, are you willing to sacrifice your morning cup of coffee? You don’t have to! You can still enjoy coffee while benefiting from Invisalign, but there are a few things you’ll need to know.
Drinking Coffee with Invisalign
Invisalign works by wearing a series of aligners over your teeth for at least 24 hours per day. Each aligner applies slight pressure to specific areas to move teeth gradually. You’ll wear each aligner for about 1-2 weeks, as instructed by your dentist. It takes about 12 months to complete Invisalign, depending on your treatment plan.
During this time, you won’t have to think twice about smiling because your aligners will be very difficult to detect while wearing them. However, their discreet appearance is based on many factors, like your oral hygiene routine and diet choices.
It’s important to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything except water, including coffee. The darkness of coffee can stain your enamel, but your teeth aren’t the only thing to discolor. Coffee can also stain your aligners, causing them to lose their translucency.
If you add creamer or sugar to your coffee, you will increase your risk of tooth decay. Coffee residue and cavity-causing bacteria will be trapped between your aligners and enamel, eroding it over time.
Protecting Your Smile from Coffee
If you can’t resist coffee, take your aligners out before drinking it. Use a straw to limit its contact with your teeth. It’s better to drink it all at once instead of sipping it over time. This reduces contact with your teeth, and it’s not a good idea to leave your aligners out for too long. Be sure to keep your aligners in their storage case to protect them from bacteria and accidentally losing them while you’re not wearing them.
Brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in your mouth. You’ll remove cavity and stain-causing residue. Don’t forget to rinse your aligners before putting them in your mouth.
Good oral hygiene is an important piece for a successful treatment with Invisalign. Don’t let anything compromise your dental health or delay your orthodontic journey. You can still sit down with a warm cup of coffee while keeping your treatment plan on track.
About Dr. Dalton Hunt
Dr. Hunt earned her dental degree from the University of Louisville and has completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry. She has regularly continued her training in various specialties, including dental implants, Invisalign, and restorative dentistry. Request an appointment through her website or call her office at (919) 341-1322.