Coffee is the highlight of every morning for millions of people around the world. Whether you like the taste, the brewing ritual, or the uptick in energy, there’s a reason why it’s the most popular drink globally. But, if you’re thinking about straightening your teeth with Invisalign, will you still be able to enjoy it?
The answer is yes, thank goodness, but there are a few important things to keep in mind—which you’ll learn about if you keep reading.
Why It’s OK To Drink Coffee with Invisalign
On top of being practically invisible, one of the other big benefits of Invisalign compared to traditional braces is that you can take your trays off whenever you want. As long as you’re wearing them for about 20-22 hours a day in total, it’s OK to remove them and enjoy whatever foods or beverages (or beans) that call to you.
However…
While it’s perfectly fine to drink coffee when you’re undergoing Invisalign, you should never drink it with your trays in.
Doing so can lead to a multitude of issues. The heat can cause the trays to lose their shape, which is essential to their ability to move your teeth. Coffee can also stain the trays and give them a yellow hue, which means your smile will appear discolored! It’s also possible for the coffee (along with the cream, sugar, and syrup that might be in it) to become trapped within your trays, dramatically increasing your risk of tooth decay.
How to Drink Coffee with Invisalign
Ideally, this is what your morning/coffee routine should look like with Invisalign…
- Wake up, brush your teeth, and clean your trays
- Brew or buy the coffee of your choice
- Before your first sip, take out your trays and put them in their case
- Enjoy your coffee relatively quickly (in about 20-30 min)
- Rinse your mouth (and maybe brush your teeth if you have time), rinse your trays, and place them back in
This allows you to have your go-to brew without throwing off your orthodontic treatment in the process. This routine should be followed between every cup (unless you drink them back to back). It’s important to minimize the amount of time you spend with your trays out because the treatment can’t work if they aren’t on your teeth!
Invisalign can work for every type of coffee drinker, whether you like it black or need a Venti-double-mocha-caramel-twist-with-drizzle to get the day started.
About the Practice
Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra is proud to be led by a team of dental experts that includes multiple specialists on staff. We offer comprehensive dental services, including orthodontics with Invisalign as well as traditional braces. If you have questions about what you can and can’t eat/drink with Invisalign, or if you’d like to schedule a consultation to begin the treatment for yourself or your teen, we would be pleased to speak with you! You can contact our office by clicking here or calling 626-289-6131.