Are you getting ready to start your journey with clear aligners? You are likely excited about the prospect of straightening your smile and improving your oral health. Still, you may have questions about the road ahead. Many patients are particularly concerned about whether they will be able to continue enjoying their favorite morning beverage. They may wonder, “Can I drink coffee with Invisalign in Abington?” The good news is that you will not have to give up your daily cup of joe. However, you may need to make some adjustments to your routine. Read on below to learn how Invisalign may affect your coffee habits.
Do Not Drink Coffee While Wearing Your Aligners
There are a few reasons why you should always remove your aligners before you drink coffee:
- The dark liquid may stain the aligners, causing them to lose their subtle appearance.
- The coffee, along with any cream or sugar in it, may get trapped beneath your aligners. These substances may damage your teeth after prolonged contact.
- Hot coffee may warp your aligners, causing them to lose both their shape and their effectiveness.
Tips for Drinking Coffee During Invisalign Treatment
Here are some tips on how you can enjoy coffee without adversely affecting Invisalign in Abington:
Do Not Sip All Day
Some people like to nurse a large thermos of coffee throughout the day. That is unwise with Invisalign. Each time you sip coffee, you will have to remove your aligners. Doing so could make you fall short of your goal of wearing Invisalign for 20 – 22 hours each day. Instead, try to enjoy just a cup or two of coffee with your morning meal.
Pay Attention to Oral Hygiene
After you finish your coffee, you should clean your teeth and rinse your aligners before putting Invisalign back in your mouth. This can reduce the risk of decay, bad breath, and other oral health problems. Try to keep a small oral hygiene kit with you at all times so you can stick to good brushing and flossing habits.
Cut Back on Sugar
It is fine to enjoy a sweet latte or mocha once in a while. However, because such beverages tend to contain a lot of sugar, it is best to keep them out of your daily routine. Reducing the amount of sugar in your coffee can lower the risk that the sweet stuff will get stuck in your aligners and contribute to decay. If you dislike black coffee, you might try using an artificial sweetener or an unsweetened creamer.
Your Invisalign treatment will not force you to give up coffee. However, you may have to modify some of your daily habits. Your efforts to care for your teeth and your aligners will be well worth it!
Meet the Practice
Abington Family Dental Care is home to multiple dentists, all of whom care deeply about our patients’ smiles. They have many years of combined experience, and they are proud that our practice offers Invisalign as one of its many available treatments. To learn more about what you can expect while you are straightening your teeth, contact us at 781-531-9339.