Do Coffee and Clear Aligners Mix? Find Out Here!

Do you love starting your morning with a hot cup of coffee? Maybe you love sipping on an iced latte in the afternoon for a little pick-me-up. Either way, you might be wondering if coffee and clear aligners mix as your first official Invisalign appointment approaches. Fortunately, you don’t have to go far to find the answer – just keep reading!

So, Can You Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

You can! In fact, there’s really only one rule: you need to remove your aligners beforehand. This is important for a few reasons, starting with the fact that hot coffee can cause the plastic to warp, rendering your trays virtually useless. The dark-colored liquid will also stain your aligners if you keep them on, drawing unwanted attention to your smile when you wear them. To put it simply, if you want to keep your braces discreet and stay on-track with your treatment plan, then you should get in the habit of removing your aligners before drinking coffee.

How To: Drink Coffee the “Smile-Friendly” Way

Drinking your coffee the “smile-friendly” way will benefit both your teeth and your trays. Here are the specifics:

• Keeping sugar and other additives to a minimum
• Using a straw
• Rinsing your mouth with water when you’re done
• Brushing your teeth about 20 minutes after that

When you’re done brushing your teeth, clean your aligners and put them back on. This is a small habit that will make it much easier to meet the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time.

6 Ways to Keep Your Teeth and Your Trays Stain-Free

The last thing you want is for stains and discoloration to draw unwanted attention to your smile. To prevent that from happening, do your best to incorporate the following habits into your routine:

• Brushing twice a day
• Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash daily
• Rinsing your aligners with clean, cool water when you take them off
• Cleaning your trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day
• Storing your aligners in their designated case (NOT a napkin)
• Soaking your trays in a dentist-approved cleaning solution

About the Practice

Our team at White Oak Dental is proud to offer several smile-enhancing solutions, including Invisalign. With 100% digital impressions, flexible financing, and convenient appointment times, pursuing your dream smile is easier than ever too! If you are ready to take the next step toward your dream smile, get in touch with us via our website or by phone at (952) 448-2868.