Do's and Don'ts of Drinking Coffee During Orthodontic Treatment
Are you considering orthodontic treatment and curious whether you’ll be able to continue enjoying your daily cup of coffee? At my offices in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomeryville, and Bensalem, PA, we’re happy to explain the do’s and don’ts of drinking coffee with braces or Invisalign®. Before we dive in, we can assure you that you’ll still be able to drink lattes, iced coffee, and more with a few simple tweaks to your routine.
Drinking Coffee with Invisalign
While it might be tempting to drink your favorite beverages while wearing your clear aligners (you’re not chewing anything, after all), you should refrain from everything except water.
The reason is twofold: any hot beverages, including coffee, could warp the plastic aligners. Damaged trays will prolong your treatment timeline and could increase your costs.
If you think you’ll be fine in this regard since you prefer your coffee on ice, that is unfortunately not the case. Invisalign’s aligners are designed to snugly lie against your teeth for a comfortable fit and discreet appearance. This also makes them perfect for trapping and holding drinks (or food) against your teeth. Coffee is acidic, which can damage and weaken your enamel. Plus, sweetened drinks can increase your risk of cavities.
Despite these restrictions, there’s good news. You only need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day so you can still budget time for your morning cup. Simply remove the aligners while you enjoy anything but water and replace them as soon as you’re done.
Drinking Coffee with Braces
Unlike Invisalign, braces are not removable. The brackets and wires that make up traditional orthodontics are more durable than clear aligners, so you can enjoy hot beverages whenever you want. However, coffee’s acidic nature and the fact that it’s often sweetened can still pose the same risks to your teeth. For these reasons, we recommend:
- Using a straw to minimize contact between your teeth and the coffee
- Limiting the amount of sugar you add to your coffee
- Brushing your teeth immediately after you finish your drink
- If you’re not able to brush, rinsing your mouth out with water
With these tips, you can continue to enjoy coffee but lessen its effects on your smile.
Brighten Your Smile for a Finishing Touch
It’s no secret that coffee can stain your teeth–whether you’re wearing braces or Invisalign or not. Plus, keep in mind that if you consume large amounts of deeply colored foods and drinks while you’re wearing braces, you might have more pronounced areas of discoloration once your brackets come off.
Once their orthodontic treatment is complete, many of our patients choose to have their teeth professionally whitened. Whether you’re an avid coffee drinker or not, this simple treatment can provide the finishing touch to your beautifully straightened teeth.
Schedule a Consultation with Us to Learn More
Braces and Invisalign are trusted ways to enhance your smile. Whether you’ve had braces in the past and your teeth have recently shifted, you’ve always wanted a straighter smile, or you’re interested in orthodontics for your child, we can help. Message our offices in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomeryville, and Bensalem today to get started.