With Invisalign, is It Okay to Drink Liquids Other Than Water?

asked 3 years ago by Bama Fan in Pennsylvania
Latest answer by Raj Kumar, BDS, LDSRCS
Question viewed 23,634 times
Tags: cleaning

This is just my 2nd day with Invisalign. The little bit of discomfort is going away. I was told to ONLY drink water when the braces are in, due to the possibility of causing decay. My question is this, how could other liquids (with sugar,etc.) present a problem if I will be brushing within 4-5 hours? Lots of people(without Invisalign) eat candy, etc. and don't brush until 12 or more hours later. Seems to me, exposure for only 4-5 hours can't possibly present much of a problem. Does it really need to be water-only when they're in?

5 answers to With Invisalign, is It Okay to Drink Liquids Other Than Water?

Avoid sugar if you will not have access to a tooth brush

The aligners make it difficult for saliva to wash the tooth structure thereby making your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay. If you need to have fluids other than water make sure you brush before you place the aligners back into your mouth.

Ryan Sellinger, DMD
Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist

Drinking with Invisalign

The aligners can trap liquid next to the teeth and cause decay. My recommendation is to brush the aligners daily, your teeth 3 times a day and do not consume drinks that are high in calories. If you are going to have 5 sugars in your coffee 7 times a day then getting fat is probably a bigger worry. I've been wearing my retainers daily now for 5 years, I drink lager, hot chocolat, wine and tea etc. and Ive never had any staining or decay.

Raj Kumar, BDS, LDSRCS
London Cosmetic Dentist

Beverages and Invisalign

I highly recommend sticking with water. Any beverage that is colored can discolor your aligner over time as well as your teeth. Sugary drinks will contribute to plaque formation confined in the aligner and lead to cavities and bad breath. So stick to sugar free, colorless drinks with your aligners in...aka Water.

Cate Vieregger, DDS
Denver Cosmetic Dentist

www.vibrancedentistry.com

Recommendation is for water only...

Only water should be consumed if you are wearing your aligners. Normally, your teeth have the saliva to cleanse them between meals. With the aligners on, you are creating a situation where the teeth have acid-causing agents to be trapped against them. While you may "get away" with consuming some other beverages with them on and rinsing out, just beware of the risks. We have a couple of patients, including dental professionals, who had never had a single... more

Jason K. Tam, DDS
Toronto Orthodontist

Okay to drink other liquids after Invisalign

Please use a straw and rinse the aligners out when you can. You get new aligners every 2 weeks or so, so dont worry about staining.

Michael J. Thomas, DDS
Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist

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