If you’re considering straightening your smile with the help of Invisalign, you may have heard that you’ll need to make a few lifestyle changes when wearing aligners. But what about that morning cup of joe? If you’re concerned about having to sacrifice your favorite caffeinated beverage to accommodate your orthodontic treatment, here’s the truth about coffee, drinks, and Invisalign.
Can I Still Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
If you rely on that morning mug of java to get going each day, the idea of having to quit to accommodate Invisalign treatment may seem like a big problem. The great news is with aligners, you don’t have to give up your coffee (or anything else for that matter). What you do need to do, however, is to make a few modifications to how you eat and drink.
Eating and Drinking with Invisalign
When it comes to eating and drinking during Invisalign treatment, you must always remove your aligners if you are consuming anything other than room temperature or cold water. This is because you can easily damage your aligners by attempting to chew with them or exposing them to heat, and when eating and drinking you can get food and fluids trapped between your aligners and teeth. This in turn can cause them to stain, as well as increase your risk of bad breath and cavities.
The great news is that your trays easily remove so you can eat, drink, and clean your teeth. Thus, whenever you want a snack or beverage, you can simply take them off, rinse them, store them in your storage case, and enjoy your food. Then, when you’re done, brush and floss your teeth, and put your them back on.
The Invisalign Time Clock
During Invisalign treatment, you are permitted to have your aligners off for two hours each day. This is so you have time to eat, drink, and care for your them and your mouth. If you exceed this time, you could possibly set your treatment back, so be careful to adhere to this as closely as possible. If you find that you are grazing on snacks throughout the day or that you drink multiple cups of coffee or take a long time to drink one, you may need to adjust your timing to better suit your Invisalign schedule.
Experts recommend that you divvy up your time in the following fashion:
- 15 minutes for breakfast
- 15 minutes for snacks
- 30 minutes for lunch
- 60 minutes for dinner
Your oral hygiene routine is built into these times, so be sure to allow yourself enough room to fit in brushing and flossing on this schedule. Of course, you can adjust it if you don’t eat lunch, or if your dinner doesn’t take as long (or if it takes longer), but finding a routine that allows you to eat and drink what you want without exceeding two hours is key to a successful treatment.
Ultimately, what you choose to eat and drink during your Invisalign treatment is up to you. Unlike traditional braces, there are no dietary restrictions, but you still must watch the time to ensure that you’re getting your minimum 22 hours of wear each day. With any questions or concerns about when to wear your aligners, speak with your dentist for clarification.
About Our Practice
At Barker, Rohner and Hunt DMD, we’re proud to offer our patients modern solutions to oral health issues such as Invisalign treatment. Our team of dentists and professionals understand that changing your smile can also come along with a lot of other lifestyle modifications, and we’re here to help provide you with guidance to help make this transition easier.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Invisalign treatment, or if you’d like to find out if you’re a good candidate for this flexible, comfortable, and effective orthodontic treatment, please visit our website or call us at 919-847-7100 for a consultation appointment.
