Yes, you can drink water with Invisalign and it’s, perhaps, the only drink you can take safely when you are wearing them. And if you want more information about the drinks while wearing Invisalign, the clear plastic aligners, continue reading.
I. Can you drink also sparkling water?
While it may seem harmless, drinking carbonated beverages like sparkling water is not recommended with Invisalign trays in place.
The bubbles and carbonation can actually dislodge the aligners, causing them to shift out of place. This reduces their effectiveness and results in a poorer fit.
Frequently reseating misaligned trays also cause more plaque buildup on the teeth over time. For optimal oral health and treatment results, it is best to remove Invisalign aligners before drinking any type of carbonated or sparkling water.
Plain still water is the beverage of choice when trays are in.
II. Why Can you only drink water with Invisalign? What are the tips for drinking with Invisalign?
Invisalign has surged in popularity as a convenient alternative to traditional metal braces for achieving a straighter, more beautiful smile. The clear plastic aligners offer discreet teeth straightening treatment that can fit into your regular lifestyle.
But many Invisalign patients wonder – what are the rules when it comes to drinking beverages? Can you drink water with the aligners in? What about coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, or other drinks?
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about drinking safely and effectively while wearing your Invisalign trays.
1. Is It Okay to Drink Cold Water With Invisalign Trays In?
The straightforward answer is yes – you can and should drink regular cold water with your Invisalign trays in place.
Water is universally recommended as the number one beverage of choice when you have your aligners in. It helps keep your teeth and gums hydrated and healthy during treatment.
Drinking cold water is perfectly fine for your Invisalign trays and won’t cause any issues. In fact, slightly chilled water can feel soothing and refreshing when consumed with the trays in your mouth.
The key is to avoid extremely icy water. Large ice cubes or very cold water direct from the fridge or freezer can potentially cause sensitivity or discomfort when drunk with aligners in place.
As long as your cold water is moderately chilled, it will hydrate your mouth safely and pleasantly when wearing your Invisalign trays.
2. Can I Drink Hot or Warm Water While Wearing My Invisalign Aligners?
Drinking warm or hot water with your Invisalign trays in place is not recommended.
The high heat of very warm water or other hot beverages can start to warp or deform the plastic of your aligner trays. Just like plastic deforms in a hot car on a summer day, the aligners can lose their shape and effectiveness if exposed to hot liquids frequently.
If you need to occasionally drink something warm for comfort when wearing your aligners, it’s best to allow it to cool down significantly first. Letting a hot drink come down to room temperature or adding ice to help chill it faster will prevent damage to your trays.
Lukewarm water around 98.6°F/37°C is the maximum temperature that is considered safe if you need to drink warm water with aligners in every so often.
But for regular daily hydration needs, it’s best to stick to cooler water to avoid any warping. Your orthodontist can also advise if they feel a certain warm beverage temperature may be alright with your specific trays.
3. How Much Water Can I Drink Daily With Invisalign Aligners In?
There’s no specific limit on how much water you can drink per day with your Invisalign trays in place. In fact, it’s recommended to drink 6-8 full glasses of cool water daily while wearing your aligners.
Proper hydration is crucial for supporting your Invisalign treatment and your overall dental health. Drinking sufficient water helps rinse away food debris, prevents dry mouth, aids saliva production, and flushes away plaque and bacteria.
The only tip is to avoid constantly sipping small amounts of water all day long with aligners in, as this could promote more bacteria growth if the water gets trapped.
It’s best to drink a full glass of water in one sitting, then avoid sipping again until your next drinking session. Just be sure to swallow fully before removing your trays to prevent choking hazards.
As long as you drink the recommended 6-8 glasses of water per day in full portions, you’ll stay optimally hydrated while wearing your Invisalign aligners.
4. Can I Drink Flavored Water Like Vitamin Water With Invisalign?
Flavored vitamin waters often contain added sugars, flavors, and food dyes that can present problems when drinking with Invisalign trays in place.
The sugars in these flavored waters can seep under the aligner trays and get trapped against your teeth, promoting tooth decay and plaque buildup.
The artificial dyes used to color these drinks can also stain the clear plastic of your aligner trays, affecting their look and fit over time.
And finally, the acids from added citrus flavors may erode or degrade the aligner plastic material after repeated exposure.
For these reasons, plain unflavored water is highly recommended over flavored vitamin waters when you have your Invisalign trays in your mouth.
If you occasionally drink a flavored water beverage, be sure to thoroughly rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after to prevent sugar residue and stains on your aligners. But for your daily hydration needs, regular cool water is the way to go.
5. Can I Drink Sports Drinks Like Gatorade With Invisalign Trays In?
It’s best to avoid sports drinks like Gatorade while your Invisalign aligners are in. Like flavored vitamin waters, these beverages contain high amounts of added sugars that can lead to decay.
The food coloring used in brightly colored sports drinks like orange or lime Gatorade can also seep into the pores of the aligner plastic, causing stubborn stains over time.
And the acids from the citric flavorings may gradually break down and damage the tray material after repeated exposure.
If you need a dose of quick electrolytes during or after exercise, it’s best to drink your sports beverage first, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water, then pop your aligners back in after.
For day-to-day hydration needs, stick to regular unflavored water whenever your Invisalign trays are in place. And be sure to brush and floss after drinking sports beverages before reinserting your aligners.
III. Can You Drink Beer or Alcohol While Wearing Invisalign?
While Invisalign is more flexible than traditional braces when it comes to occasional drinking, alcohol consumption does require some precautions.
In general, any alcoholic beverage other than clear liquor is not recommended for drinking with Invisalign trays in. Dark beers, red wines, and colored cocktails can lead to pronounced staining and discoloration of the aligner plastic.
Sugary mixers like juice, soda, and tonic water also increase your decay risk as the sugar can linger on the teeth under trays. And the acids in wine or citrus drinks may gradually break down the aligner material over time.
If you plan to drink alcohol at an event or social gathering, it’s best to remove your aligners first. Rinse your mouth out with water after finishing your alcoholic beverage, and be sure to brush and floss thoroughly before reinserting your Invisalign trays.
If you do opt to drink something like light beer or white wine with your aligners in on rare occasion, drink slowly, use a straw to minimize contact, and rinse well afterwards. Then clean your aligners as soon as possible.
But for the health of your teeth and to prevent pronounced aligner staining, it’s best to remove your trays before drinking alcohol.
IV. Is it Safe to Drink Juice or Milk With My Invisalign Aligners In?
Drinking juice, milk, or other sugary beverages with your Invisalign aligners in place is not recommended.
The natural or added sugars in these drinks get trapped under the plastic trays against your teeth, putting you at a heightened risk for plaque buildup, tooth decay, and enamel damage.
Milk can also leave a thin film on your teeth that remains even after rinsing, which bacteria feed on.
And the acids in citrus or berry juices may gradually erode and degrade the plastic tray material with repeated exposure over time.
If you want to indulge in a small glass of orange juice or milk occasionally, be sure to remove your Invisalign trays first. Rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards and brush/floss before putting your aligners back in.
But for regular daily hydration and nutritional needs, it’s safest to drink water with your trays in and consume other beverages separately without them in.
V. Can I Drink Coffee or Tea With Invisalign if I Rinse My Mouth After?
Like other acidic and staining beverages, coffee and tea are best consumed without your Invisalign trays in place. However, a quick rinse can help minimize risks if you occasionally drink them with aligners in.
The acids in coffee and tea can gradually break down and damage the plastic aligner material after repeated exposure. And the tannins can lead to yellowish staining over time.
Ideally, remove your trays before enjoying your morning coffee or an afternoon tea. After finishing your beverage, swish your mouth vigorously with plain water 2-3 times.
Then brush and floss thoroughly before putting your freshly cleaned aligners back in.
If you must keep your aligners in while sipping a hot coffee or iced tea drink, use a straw to bypass some contact with your teeth. Drink quickly, and rinse your mouth out immediately after finishing the beverage.
While an occasional coffee or tea won’t irreparably harm your treatment, removing your trays first and rinsing after is the safest way to indulge in these popular beverages as an Invisalign patient.
VI. Other FAQs About Drinking Beverages With Invisalign
Let’s cover some other common questions about drinking various beverages while wearing your Invisalign aligners.
As highlighted throughout this guide, water is universally recommended as the one beverage you should drink with Invisalign trays in place. But why is water so crucial?
For starters, water is neutral pH and contains no sugars, acids, or staining pigments. It simply hydrates your mouth safely with no risk of damage.
Water also helps rinse away debris, preventing plaque buildup and bacteria growth under your trays. Proper hydration aids saliva flow to buffer your tooth enamel.
Sugary, acidic, carbonated, or pigmented drinks all pose some level of risk when consumed with aligners in. But cool clear water is harmless, beneficial, and essential.
Beyond drinking water, follow these general tips for drinking beverages as an Invisalign patient:
- Remove aligners before drinking anything staining, hot, carbonated, acidic, or sugary
- Use straws to minimize contact between beverages and aligners/teeth
- Rinse mouth thoroughly with water after drinking other beverages
- Avoid constantly sipping drinks throughout the day with aligners in
- Brush & floss after eating/drinking before reinserting aligners
- Clean aligners regularly to prevent odor and staining
Adhering to these simple precautions ensures you can drink safely and effectively while achieving your best Invisalign treatment results.
1. How Can I Clean My Invisalign Trays After Drinking Something Besides Plain Water?
If you consume a beverage besides regular water with your aligners in, it’s crucial to clean them thoroughly afterwards to prevent damage.
First, remove your trays immediately after drinking the beverage and rinse your mouth out with water. Brush and floss your teeth before reinserting the trays.
To clean the aligners themselves after drinking, first rinse them well with lukewarm water. Use your fingernail or an Invisalign cleaning brush to scrub away any residue on the inner and outer surfaces.
Next, soak your aligners in the Invisalign cleaning solution provided by your dentist for 10-20 minutes to disinfect. Alternatively, you can soak them in a mix of half water, half hydrogen peroxide.
Finally, give your trays one more gentle brushing with lukewarm water or the Invisalign cleanser before putting them back into your mouth.
Repeating this cleaning routine keeps your aligners fresh and stain-free after consuming potentially problematic beverages while wearing them.
2. How Does Drinking With a Straw Affect Invisalign Aligners?
Drinking beverages with a straw allows you to bypass some direct contact with your teeth and aligners. However, straws don’t completely eliminate the risks of consuming sugary, staining drinks with trays in.
While straws minimize contact with your front teeth, the liquid can still wash over your back molars. And inevitably, some beverage will mix with your saliva and come into contact with your aligners.
Acids and sugars can still seep under the trays and potentially cause decay. And dark-pigmented drinks may lead to staining of the aligner plastic.
For optimal protection, it’s still best to remove aligners before drinking anything besides water. But when this isn’t possible, sipping carefully with a straw and rinsing/cleaning afterwards can help reduce damage.
3. Can You Eat With Invisalign?
Unlike traditional metal braces that severely limit food options, Invisalign allows you to eat whatever foods you want during treatment!
The key is, you must remove your aligner trays before eating or drinking anything besides water.
Without the aligners in, you can eat normally without risk of tray damage or food getting stuck in your braces.
Just be sure to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth after eating before putting your Invisalign aligners back in. Leaving food debris trapped leads to bacteria growth and decay.
With proper oral hygiene habits, you can eat all your favorite foods and still achieve straight teeth with Invisalign treatment.
4. Did You Lose Weight on Invisalign?
Some patients do notice mild weight loss during Invisalign treatment, though this is not a direct effect of the aligners themselves.
Removing aligners to eat and drink anything forces you to be more mindful about when and what you consume. The limited snacking may lead to fewer excess daily calories.
Brushing after each meal also discourages mindless nibbling throughout the day. Making healthy food choices and controlling portions is also easier without constant snacking.
So while Invisalign does not directly make you shed pounds, the adjustments to your eating habits required for treatment may promote weight loss for some patients.
5. How Many Times a Day Can I Remove Invisalign?
To ensure the proper progression of your treatment plan, experts recommend limiting Invisalign aligner removal to only three times per day.
The aligners should be kept in your mouth for 20-22 hours daily besides removal for:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Removing aligners more often than three times daily reduces overall wear time, which may delay your results. But occasional exceptions for special events or circumstances won’t severely impact your treatment timeline.
Just be sure to maximize your daily Invisalign wear time for the best outcome. And avoid excessive snacking or drinking outside of main meals whenever possible.
Invisalign offers a convenient alternative to traditional braces with the ability to remove aligners for eating and drinking. But disciplined wear and oral hygiene are still critical for achieving your best smile with Invisalign!
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, this guide provided you with all the key details on drinking safely and effectively while wearing your Invisalign aligners during teeth straightening treatment. While Invisalign is flexible, being mindful of your beverage choices and properly caring for your trays is crucial.
To recap, key takeaways include:
- Drink 6-8 glasses of cool water daily with aligners in
- Avoid extremely hot or icy beverages
- Do not drink sugary, acidic, or dark-staining beverages with aligners in
- Remove aligners before drinking alcohol or carbonated drinks
- Use straws cautiously to minimize contact with aligners
- Rinse mouth and clean aligners after drinking anything besides water
- Limit aligner removal to 3 main meals per day
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene habits throughout the treatment
By following these simple guidelines, you can achieve your best smile with Invisalign while still enjoying the beverages you love. Just be sure to drink smart and care for your aligners properly. Have more questions about drinking with Invisalign? Be sure to discuss with your dentist or orthodontist for their recommendations.
Useful Links:
A retrospective study of the accuracy of Invisalign Progress Assessment with clear aligners