I’m trying to decide whether to get Invisalign. Everything about it sounds great. The only thing which worries me is they said to only take the aligners off to eat and drink or to brush and floss. Apparently, if you don’t leave them in enough, it ruins your treatment. I’m addicted to coffee. Seriously addicted. Can I drink when the aligners are in?
Tiffani S.
Dear Tiffani,
I’m assuming with your coffee addiction you get a lot of things done throughout the day! I might be envious of your energy. Invisalign has a very high patient satisfaction rate. But, because it’s removable, it does require patient compliance.
You can drink water while your aligners are in, but I wouldn’t recommend drinking coffee. Here’s why. First, whatever you drink with the aligners in is highly likely to pool in them. The pooled coffee will eat away at your tooth enamel, putting you at risk of decay. That doesn’t mean you can’t drink coffee during your treatment at all.
As you mentioned above, you can take them out at each of your mealtimes and when you brush and floss. That’s three cups of coffee a day. If you really needed to sneak in one more during the typical mid-afternoon slump most people feel, you probably can. Just don’t cheat too often or your treatment will take longer.
Getting a Mini-Smile Makeover with Invisalign
Before going forward with any orthodontic procedure, you need to have a full checkup, including x-rays, in order to be certain your bone and gums are healthy. Otherwise, you put yourself at risk of losing your teeth.
If you’re good to go, many patients like to combine Invisalign with teeth whitening. By doing so they give themselves a mini smile makeover. It takes years off your appearance and gives patients a confidence they didn’t realize they lacked. They’re great options for those who don’t want or can’t afford a complete smile makeover with porcelain veneers.
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