Nothing feels better than a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Coffee unites all cultures and creeds—by many estimates, it’s second only to water as the most consumed beverage there is. If you’re an avid coffee drinker, it might be hard to even imagine starting your day without it. So if you’re using Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth, your might wonder, quite reasonably, whether they’ll affect your ability to have your morning coffee. If you’re in that position, here’s a guide that can tell you everything you need to know.
Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
One of the major advantages Invisalign has over traditional braces is that there aren’t any dietary restrictions. Because aligners are removable, you can eat and drink anything you want once you take them out. That said, you should try and leave them in as much as possible. To stay on track with your Invisalign treatment, you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, which allows just enough time to eat three meals and to clean your trays afterward. If you spend an hour drinking coffee in the morning, that may need to change.
Can I Drink Coffee with My Aligners In?
“Okay,” you might say “I should keep my aligners in as much as possible. So can I drink coffee while I’m wearing them?”
This is a really bad idea, for a few reasons. First of all, the heat from the coffee can cause the trays to warp, which can hamper their ability to properly straighten your teeth. Coffee can also leave stains behind, both on your teeth and your aligner. Finally, because coffee is acidic, getting it trapped in your trays can potentially cause erosion to your teeth. This problem only gets worse if you add cream and sugar to your coffee. While it might be tempting, you shouldn’t drink anything other than water while wearing your aligner.
How To Still Enjoy Coffee
While Invisalign might require that you change your coffee habit, you definitely don’t have to cut it out altogether. Here are a few ways you can still enjoy your morning cup.
- Drink with Meals: When you’re eating breakfast, you should have your trays out anyway. If you drink coffee while you eat, you won’t be spending any more time with your aligners out than you would already.
- Switch to Espresso: Drinking your coffee quickly can be a challenge, especially if you start the day with more than one cup. Espresso packs the same amount of caffeine into a smaller package.
- Try Iced Coffee: Similarly, it can be hard to drink boiling hot coffee quickly. Switching to iced coffee means you won’t have to wait for your drink to cool.
While you might not be able to drink as much coffee for as long, you should still be able to get your caffeine fix if you plan it out properly. That versatility is part of why Invisalign is as popular as it is.
About Our Practice
At Capron Park Dental, our greatest source of pride is the satisfaction of our patients. We have formed bonds of trust with thousands of members of our local community, and we work hard to ensure that trust isn’t misplaced. We have four expert dentists on staff, each with unique skills, that come together to meet the needs of everyone who visits our office. If you have any questions about Invisalign treatment, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (508) 222-5950.