four mugs of coffee on a post

Once your Invisalign aligner trays are removed, you can drink coffee or tea safely. However, you shouldn’t drink tea (iced or otherwise) or coffee with them in. Yes, you do not need to chew while drinking drinks; however, the trays must first be removed. However, you can still drink coffee and tea while using Invisalign.

As with other orthodontic treatment systems, Invisalign allows you to easily remove the plastic trays as needed. 

In the case of drinks such as tea and coffee that stain the teeth, you need to be extra careful. 

To achieve the intended treatment results in the expected timeframe, it is important to put them back in as soon as you can after removing them. 

Make sure you rinse out your retainers, if possible, and then place them in your Invisalign case to keep them safe from loss or damage. 

You will learn how long you should wear the trays each day from your orthodontist. Most people wear them for around 22 hours a day.

When Drinking Anything But Water, Take Your Trays Out 

While wearing Invisalign, you cannot drink anything except tap or bottled water. 

You shouldn’t drink coffee while wearing Invisalign for a few reasons.

Stains

Wearing Invisalign while drinking coffee can permanently discolor and stain your retainers. You may also develop stains on your teeth if you do so.

Heat

Heat makes Invisalign trays pliable since they are thermoplastic. The first time they’re made, that’s how they are shaped to fit your teeth! The problem is that drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, could warp your trays. The last thing you want is for your trays to warp.

Sugar

Coffee that has sweetener or milk is going to contain some sweetener or sugar from milk unless it is drunk black and without any sugar. Wearing your aligners while drinking soda increases tooth decay risk because the sugar sits on your teeth and is held on by them.

Related: 5 Best Portable Travel Coffee Makers

Tips for Invisalign users who drink coffee

Don’t worry if you love coffee and have Invisalign, or are contemplating getting it. These will also work for alcohol or soda if you have Invisalign. The following tips will help you maintain proper dental hygiene while using Invisalign and prevent damage to your teeth and retainers.

Brush after drinking coffee

You can eliminate your coffee breath by brushing your teeth and making sure that sugar and coffee are removed from your mouth. Wash your retainers after you have cleaned your teeth and before putting them back in your mouth. 

Reduce cream and sugar consumption

You should drink black coffee rather than coffee loaded with cream and sugar. This will cause fewer cavities during your Invisalign treatment.

Carry your Invisalign case wherever you go 

This gives you a place to comfortably “remove them to” and will give you one less excuse not to. Do not store aligners loosely or in a napkin without being in a dedicated case.

Drink your morning coffee more quickly 

Like it or not, this will help. Instead of drinking your coffee in over an hour or more, drink it within 15-30 minutes start to finish. You can put your aligners back in as soon as you finish your coffee.

Make sure you have a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you

Make sure you have one at work or in your purse. You will find it much easier to keep your teeth clean this way.

Take your retainers out

At this point, it should be obvious. This should always be done before drinking hot coffee or tea, soda, beer or red wine.

Make wiser choices when it comes to alcoholic beverages

If you must drink alcohol, stick to gin or vodka or other clear options. Stay away from sugary mixers. Use tonic water or soda water instead. 

Water is the best fluid to drink during your Invisalign treatment.

Drink lots of it.

Replace your Invisalign after rinsing your teeth with water or brushing them

Decalcification and other hygienic issues can be avoided if you will do this.

Coffee and other hot drinks should be cooled down a bit before drinking it.

When I drink, do I have to take my Invisalign out?

You should take them out. While going through Invisalign treatment, all beverages are permitted, including alcohol, soda, juice, and wine. However, as mentioned previously, you must remove your aligners before drinking and eating. It is only safe to consume water while wearing clear retainers.

There are multiple reasons to do this. You can damage both your teeth and your retainers.

Several beverages can stain your aligners, including red wine and coffee. Some beverages, like soda or energy drinks, could cause a buildup of acid under your Invisalign system, causing tooth decay and damaging your teeth. 

Furthermore, heating your aligners can warp them if the beverage, like coffee or tea, is hot. 

By removing your Invisalign retainers first, you can enjoy any beverage you like. When you do, replace them as soon as possible. 

Can You Drink Water With Invisalign in?

You can drink water with your Invisalign trays in, but anything else will be too harsh on your teeth and the plastic. It increases the risk of tooth decay if it gets lodged between your enamel and the trays. 

While wearing Invisalign, it’s a good idea to drink room temperature or cold water. 

In fact, drinking lots of water can be helpful during your treatment. By using water, you can dislodge food particles and even flush away the sugar that has accumulated underneath your Invisalign. 

Drinking hot water (think tea) when you’re wearing aligners is not a good idea. Invisalign molds can be warped by hot water.

If you have Invisalign, can you drink alcohol, beer, or wine? 

With Invisalign, you can drink alcohol or have the occasional glass of soda as long as you remove your aligners and rinse your mouth afterward, before putting them back in. If you drink coffee, red wine, or tea with Invisalign aligners in your mouth, the plastic will stain.

You should avoid red wine, dark beer, and other beers and cocktails containing sugars because they can stain your Invisalign, and they can increase tooth decay, especially if your aligners trap the sugars. 

Drinking alcohol while wearing Invisalign and not able to take it out? Then follow these tips:

  • Use a straw: Straws let liquids pass through aligners and teeth, although it’s hard to eliminate all liquid contact with aligners and teeth.
  • Drink clear drinks: The least sugary drinks are gin and vodka. The best way to drink them is with tonic water or soda. Avoid fruit juices or colas.
  • Rinse with water: Drink plenty of water and rinse your mouth out frequently with it to help remove colors and sugars.
  • Bring a travel toothbrush and paste: When you are attending an event and will be drinking, you should brush your teeth when you have a chance. It is easier to keep plaque and tartar at bay if you remove your Invisalign when drinking and brush your teeth when you’re done.

Is it OK to drink soda with Invisalign?

Your Invisalign aligners must be removed before eating or drinking anything besides water. … While regular water is the best, carbonated water is okay to drink with aligners every once in a while. Carbonated water won’t stain or warp your aligners, but the carbonation can still harm your teeth.

Drinking soda with Invisalign is not a good idea – remove your aligners and drink soda with a straw instead. Sugar and bacteria in the mouth cause tooth decay. Using a straw will help prevent this. A combination of sugar and bacteria forms an acid that erodes your teeth over time. The same goes for diet soda.

Having your Invisalign in while drinking soda increases this risk. This traps the acid and sugar, which accelerates decay. Invisalign aligners should be removed before drinking soda and rinsed out afterward or brushed to prevent tooth decay.

If your trays are in, drink with a straw

While undergoing Invisalign treatment, it is recommended to drink beverages through a straw. Invisalign trays still in place when you drink will be less affected by the drink as when using a straw the liquid has less contact with them. Using a straw is necessary if you plan on drinking anything sugary or alcoholic with your Invisalign in. 

And keep in mind to lower your carbon footprint, use biodegradable, compostable, and eco-friendly straws. Or at least use your plastic straw 2 or 3 times before you throw it away.

Is it bad to drink coffee with Invisalign?

It is bad to drink coffee with your retainers in. Just take them out while you drink, then rinse or brush your teeth and then put them back in. Failure to do so will result in 

Stains – Drinking coffee while wearing Invisalign is likely to discolor and stain your aligners, as well as lead to discoloration of your teeth. 

Damage – As we have discussed, both your Invisalign trays and your teeth will sustain damage if your trays aren’t removed.

Can you drink coffee with a straw with Invisalign?

If you have Invisalign, you shouldn’t drink hot beverages unless you remove your trays first. It is possible that the heat will warp the plastic, in which case you will need to buy a new set of aligners. When drinking a lot of coffee, remove your Invisalign first and use a straw! 

Check out our other tips for drinking coffees and teas above for additional ways to keep your teeth and your Invisalign in good shape if this is something you want to do through your treatment.

How can I drink coffee without staining Invisalign?

Invisalign trays should be taken out prior to drinking your morning cup. And then you should drink your cup within 15-30 minutes in order to avoid going too long without wearing them. Once you’ve done that, be sure to brush and rinse your aligners before putting them back in! 

What drinks can you drink with Invisalign?

Invisalign treatment doesn’t restrict you from drinking alcohol, wine, soda, juice, or any other beverages during the treatment process. However, in order to consume these beverages, you will have to remove the aligners. Water is the only drink that can be consumed safely with the aligners or trays still in.

What happens if you drink iced coffee with Invisalign?

It depends on whether you take out your trays first or not. If you leave them in, you might stain your Invisalign aligners from drinking things like red wine, coffee or tea while you have them in your mouth. Your virtually invisible treatment will be a little less invisible with coffee stains on them.

Can you drink hot chocolate with Invisalign?

Yes, you can. While drinking hot beverages, Invisalign trays may be damaged since they are made of plastic. This applies to hot cider, hot chocolate, and other cool weather or holiday treats. You should not drink a hot beverage until you have removed your aligners.

Can I drink an iced latte with Invisalign?

Yes, you can. Tea and coffee can be consumed while wearing an Invisalign aligner, provided that they are not too hot. Also, if you are going out for a night, you can drink, but be sure to take your retainers out before you start drinking. And once again, before you put them back in be sure to brush your teeth and brush your trays.

Related: 5 Best Portable Travel Coffee Makers