Everyone enjoys a good cup of coffee. But can you drink it while wearing smile direct aligners? The short answer is yes you can. However, the long answer is a little more complicated. Before you start slurping on your java, please take a few minutes to read about the potential risks and habits that will help protect your teeth.
Many people believe that coffee is bad for your teeth, but it’s really about how often you drink it and what else you add to it. Even if you’re wearing aligners, you can still enjoy coffee without being worried about any damage because coffee won’t directly change the shape or color of your teeth. However, if you’re not careful, it can stain them. This is why it’s important to practice smart habits while drinking coffee with your aligners.
Dr. Karen Mallen, an orthodontist and a top smile expert in private practice, explains why extra caution must be taken when drinking coffee while wearing aligners. “The biggest problem with drinking coffee while wearing aligners is that you get residuals stuck between the aligner and your teeth; this could cause bacteria to buildup, resulting in a more difficult cleaning process. The added sugar in coffee can also draw bacteria to your smile, which is why it’s important to clean your aligners often, especially if you plan on drinking coffee with them. Even though coffee won’t damage your teeth, it can associate problems with your aligners, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Dr. Mallen recommends that you rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking coffee before wearing your aligners. Also, avoid adding sugary syrups and creamers to your coffee that can stick to aligners, causing them to be harder to remove and increasing the risk of bacteria trapped in the aligners. Adding some kind of non-sugary solvent like almond milk can help minimize the risk of damaging your aligners and teeth.
To avoid staining, the American Dental Association advises to limiting the amount of coffee that you consume while wearing your aligners. Also, if you can, drink your coffee through a straw; this will keep it away from your teeth and aligners, minimizing the risk of discoloration. Following these habits, you can still drink your favorite morning energy-boosting cup of java with your smile direct aligners.
Coffee and Cleanliness
You would think that brushing your teeth would be enough to keep your aligners clean when you drink coffee. However, another important factor to take into consideration is the amount of toothpaste that you use. Dr. Mallen explains: “Adding too much toothpaste on the brush can create a sudsy foam that is difficult to remove from your aligners. Each time after brushing — or whenever you consume something sugary — you should use a flosser or water to clean the aligners.”
Though it may seem cumbersome, getting into the habit of flossing and rinsing your mouth after consuming coffee will help reduce bacteria build up significantly. Doing this regularly and properly will help avoid any further complications since bacteria can be harmful to your oral health.
Of course, it’s important to also practice smart habits throughout the day. Keeping your aligners in at all times, following the directions of your orthodontist closely and rinsing your mouth regularly are other easy but effective ways to ensure your aligners remain clean.
The Pros and Cons of Drinking Coffee with Aligners
Overall, drinking coffee with smile direct aligners is completely safe as long as you practice good hygiene habits and limit the amount of coffee that you drink. This way, you’re avoiding putting your oral health at risk, and your aligners won’t damage or discolor your teeth. While coffee can still stain your teeth, following the advice of your orthodontist will help maintain the natural color of your teeth.
If you practice good oral healthcare, you should have no problems with drinking coffee during your treatment. However, if you ever notice a change in color in your teeth or aligners, don’t panic! That’s why it’s important to discuss with your orthodontist any specific instructions; their advice and guidance will be the best resource to help maintain healthy teeth and aligners.
Before and After Drinking Coffee
Changing habits takes a lot of dedication and effort. The same is true for drinking coffee. To make sure that your aligners remain clean and stain-free, you should always floss before and after drinking coffee. Doing this adds an extra layer of protection, cleaning out the residue left in your mouth and also between your teeth and your aligners.
Comfort and convenience should also be considered. If you’re planning on having a cup of coffee on the go, use a reusable coffee cup that can help keep your coffee warm while also limiting the amount of coffee that you drink. Try adding a few drops of café essential oil to your coffee order to add some flavor and avoid adding heavy creamers. These simple tips can help you continue enjoying your coffee while keeping you safe!
The Takeaway
Coffee is one of the few beverages that can stay hot for a long time, making it an ideal morning pick-me-up. And with the right precautions and maintenance habits, you’re able to enjoy coffee without risking any damage to your teeth and your smile direct aligners. Taking the time to clean your aligners and mouth regularly, using a straw and not adding creamers, syrups, or sugars to your coffee are a few habits that can help keep your teeth and aligners clean.
Safe Habits and a Regulated Consumption
If you want to enjoy your coffee while also having healthy teeth and aligners, you need to be aware of how much coffee you’re consuming. Try limiting the number of cups per day and, if you’re able, try to drink on an empty stomach — this will help reduce the risk of staining and bacteria build up significantly. Above all, don’t forget to take your aligners off before drinking a cup of joe — this will prevent any loosening or stained aligners.
No matter what type of beverage you like to drink, it’s essential that you practice good oral health habits frequently and limit the amount of sugary drinks you consume. Doing this can prevent staining, along with other conditions such as tooth decay and night grinding. Discussing your habits with your orthodontist or dentist will help ensure that your teeth and smile direct aligners remain healthy in the long run.
Things To Remember
Drinking coffee doesn’t damage your teeth when you’re wearing smile direct aligners. But it is important to remember to practice good oral health habits when drinking coffee with your aligners. This includes drinking it through a straw, using a flosser, brushing with the right amount of toothpaste and avoiding creamer, syrups and added sugars.
These simple steps can help keep your aligners clean and your teeth healthy. Additionally, limiting the amount of coffee you consume is also important. Though coffee doesn’t have the same effects on smile direct aligners as it does on your teeth, it’s always important to exercise caution and follow the instructions of your orthodontist.
