What Can You Drink With Invisalign?
February 28, 2025
If you're wearing Invisalign aligners, you probably have a lot of questions about what you can and can’t drink while wearing them. Since Invisalign aligners are made from clear plastic, they can stain, warp, or trap sugar and bacteria if not handled properly. The good news? You don’t have to give up all your favorite beverages—just make sure you’re drinking the right ones in the right way!
Let’s break it down so you can enjoy your drinks while keeping your aligners in top shape.
Can I Drink Coffee With Invisalign?
If you're a coffee lover, this is probably one of your biggest concerns. While you can drink coffee while undergoing Invisalign treatment, it's best to do so without your aligners in. Coffee is highly pigmented and can easily stain your aligners, giving them a yellowish tint over time. Additionally, the acidity and heat of coffee can weaken the plastic material.
If you must have coffee during the day, try to remove your aligners first, drink it quickly rather than sipping throughout the day, and brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.
Can You Drink Alcohol With Invisalign?
Yes, but it’s important to be mindful of the impact alcohol can have on both your aligners and your oral health. Many alcoholic drinks contain acids and sugars that can contribute to enamel erosion, discoloration, and plaque buildup—especially when trapped under your aligners. Additionally, some alcoholic beverages, particularly dark or sugary options, can stain your aligners over time, making them more noticeable.
If you choose to drink alcohol, it's best to remove your aligners beforehand and rinse your mouth with water afterward. Also, try to avoid sipping alcohol over long periods, as prolonged exposure increases the risk of staining and decay. Opting for lighter-colored and low-sugar drinks can help minimize potential issues.
Can I Drink White Wine With Invisalign?
White wine may not be as notorious as red wine when it comes to staining, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe for your aligners or your teeth. While it won’t leave visible discoloration on your aligners, white wine is highly acidic, which can gradually weaken your tooth enamel. This erosion can make your teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity, cavities, and staining from other foods and drinks. Additionally, acidity can alter the pH balance in your mouth, creating an environment where harmful bacteria thrive.
To minimize potential risks, it’s best to remove your aligners before drinking white wine. Afterward, rinsing your mouth with water can help neutralize the acidity before putting your aligners back in. If possible, brushing your teeth after drinking is even better, as it ensures that no residual acids remain on your enamel.
Can You Drink Beer With Invisalign?
Beer is often perceived as a less harmful alcoholic beverage compared to sugary cocktails or dark liquors, but it still poses risks when wearing Invisalign. Although beer typically has lower sugar content, it remains an acidic drink, which means it can contribute to enamel erosion over time. Furthermore, beer contains carbonation, which can increase acidity levels in your mouth, potentially weakening your teeth if consumed frequently.
Another concern is the residue beer can leave behind. If you drink beer while wearing your aligners, tiny particles can get trapped between your teeth and the aligners, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. This buildup not only increases the risk of plaque and cavities but can also lead to bad breath.
For these reasons, it’s strongly recommended to remove your aligners before drinking beer. Once you’re finished, rinsing your mouth with water can help wash away any lingering residue, and brushing your teeth before putting your aligners back in will ensure optimal oral hygiene.
Can You Drink Red Wine With Invisalign?
Red wine is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to staining both teeth and aligners. Its deep pigmentation, caused by tannins and natural dyes, can quickly tint your aligners, making them appear dull or discolored. Even if you only sip red wine occasionally, the staining effect can accumulate over time, making your aligners look less transparent and more noticeable when you wear them.
Beyond staining, red wine is also acidic, which means it can weaken your tooth enamel, just like white wine and beer. When combined with the porous nature of tooth enamel, this acidity makes your teeth more susceptible to absorbing stains from other foods and drinks. Additionally, red wine contains natural sugars, which, if trapped under your aligners, can contribute to bacteria buildup and increase the risk of tooth decay.
To prevent staining and protect your oral health, always remove your aligners before drinking red wine. Afterward, rinsing your mouth with water can help reduce acidity, and brushing your teeth before reinserting your aligners ensures that no residual wine remains on your enamel. If you’re a frequent wine drinker, consider using a straw to minimize direct contact with your teeth or choosing lighter-colored wines when possible.
Can I Drink Water With Invisalign?
Absolutely! Water is the safest and most beneficial drink to consume while wearing Invisalign. Not only does it keep you hydrated throughout the day, but it also plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral hygiene. Drinking water frequently helps rinse away food particles and bacteria that could otherwise get trapped between your aligners and teeth, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and bad breath.
Another key benefit is that water does not contain sugars, acids, or artificial dyes, meaning it won’t stain, weaken, or compromise the integrity of your aligners. Additionally, drinking cold water can even provide a soothing effect if you experience minor discomfort or soreness during the initial stages of wearing Invisalign.
For the best results, try to make water your primary beverage while your aligners are in place. Whether it’s still or purified, drinking water regularly can help keep both your teeth and aligners clean, contributing to a smoother and healthier Invisalign experience.
Can I Drink Sparkling Water With Invisalign?
This one is a bit tricky because sparkling water, while often perceived as harmless, has some properties that could potentially affect your oral health and aligners. Although it is sugar-free and clear, which means it won’t stain your aligners, the carbonation process introduces carbonic acid, which can lower the pH level in your mouth. Over time, increased acidity can erode tooth enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity and decay.
Another factor to consider is that flavored sparkling waters often contain citric acid or other acidic additives, which can accelerate enamel erosion. Even though they may seem like a better alternative to sodas or juices, frequent consumption of acidic beverages can weaken your teeth, especially when wearing aligners that trap liquid against your enamel.
If you enjoy sparkling water occasionally, it’s best to remove your aligners while drinking it and rinse your mouth with plain water afterward to neutralize acidity. To further protect your teeth, try drinking it in moderation rather than sipping throughout the day, and avoid varieties with added citrus flavors, which can be more erosive.
Can I Drink Tea With Invisalign?
Tea, much like coffee, has the potential to stain your aligners over time, especially darker varieties such as black tea, oolong, or herbal teas made from richly pigmented ingredients like hibiscus. These teas contain tannins, natural compounds that adhere to both teeth and aligners, gradually giving them a yellow or brownish tint.
Even though green and white teas are less likely to cause staining, they can still have a mild discoloring effect, especially if consumed frequently. Additionally, tea can sometimes be acidic, which means that certain varieties may contribute to enamel erosion if consumed in excess.
Another consideration is temperature. Drinking hot tea while wearing Invisalign is not recommended because heat can slightly warp the plastic material, affecting the fit of your aligners. This can compromise their effectiveness and lead to discomfort.
To enjoy tea without affecting your aligners, remove them before drinking, and rinse your mouth or brush your teeth before putting them back in. If you prefer drinking tea often, consider opting for lighter teas that are less likely to stain, and avoid adding sugar or honey, as these sweeteners can contribute to bacteria buildup and tooth decay.
Can You Drink Soda With Invisalign?
Soda is one of the worst beverages you can consume while wearing Invisalign, and for multiple reasons. First, most sodas contain a high amount of sugar, which interacts with bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. When wearing aligners, this sugary residue gets trapped against your teeth, significantly increasing the risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and even bad breath.
In addition to sugar, sodas are highly acidic, even the diet or sugar-free versions. The carbonation process introduces acids that gradually weaken enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to decay. Furthermore, dark-colored sodas such as cola can stain your aligners over time, making them appear dull or discolored.
If you're craving soda, the best practice is to remove your aligners before drinking and avoid sipping throughout the day to limit acid exposure. Afterward, rinse your mouth with water to neutralize acidity, and if possible, brush your teeth before reinserting your aligners to maintain optimal oral hygiene.
Can You Drink Sprite With Invisalign?
While Sprite and other light-colored sodas may not cause as much staining as darker beverages like cola or root beer, they are still problematic for Invisalign wearers. Despite being clear, Sprite contains citric acid and carbonic acid, both of which can contribute to enamel erosion over time. When teeth are repeatedly exposed to acidic drinks, they become more susceptible to sensitivity, weakening, and decay.
Another concern is the sugar content. Even though Sprite may seem less harmful than traditional sodas, it still has enough sugar to promote bacterial growth and plaque formation, especially when trapped under your aligners. This environment allows harmful bacteria to thrive, increasing the likelihood of cavities.
If you do choose to drink Sprite, make sure to remove your aligners first and limit your consumption to reduce acid exposure. Rinsing your mouth with water immediately afterward can help neutralize acids, and brushing your teeth before putting your aligners back in will further protect your oral health.
Can I Drink Juice With Invisalign?
Fruit juices, while often perceived as a healthier alternative to soda, can still pose risks to both your teeth and aligners. Many fruit juices, such as orange juice, cranberry juice, and apple juice, contain a combination of natural sugars and acids that can erode enamel and contribute to cavity formation. When consumed with aligners in place, these substances get trapped, creating an environment where bacteria can flourish.
Additionally, some juices, particularly those with vibrant colors like grape or pomegranate juice, have strong pigments that can stain your aligners over time. This can make them look cloudy or discolored, diminishing the discreet appearance that Invisalign is known for.
To enjoy juice without compromising your oral health, it’s best to remove your aligners before drinking. Once you've finished, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to wash away excess sugar and acid, and brush your teeth before reinserting your aligners. If you drink juice regularly, consider diluting it with water to reduce acidity and sugar concentration.
Can I Drink Milk With Invisalign Clear Aligners?
Milk is generally a safer option compared to sugary or acidic drinks, as it does not contain strong pigments that could stain your aligners. Additionally, unlike sodas and fruit juices, milk is not acidic, so it does not contribute to enamel erosion.
However, milk does contain natural sugars, primarily lactose. If you drink milk while wearing Invisalign, these sugars can become trapped under the aligners, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive and increase the risk of cavities. This is especially true for flavored or sweetened milk, such as chocolate or strawberry milk, which contain added sugars that can be even more harmful to your teeth.
If you drink milk, it's best to do so without your aligners in. Afterward, rinse your mouth with water to remove any lingering sugars, and if possible, brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Drinking milk before bedtime is particularly risky if aligners are in place, as it can leave a sugary residue overnight, leading to bacterial growth and plaque buildup.
Can You Drink Through a Straw With Invisalign?
Using a straw may seem like a clever way to reduce contact between beverages and your teeth, but it is not a foolproof solution when it comes to drinking with Invisalign. While a straw does help direct liquid toward the back of the mouth, it does not completely prevent sugary or acidic drinks from coming into contact with your teeth or aligners.
Liquids can still seep around the edges of your aligners, allowing harmful substances to linger on your teeth. Additionally, drinking through a straw does not change the fact that many beverages contain staining compounds, acids, and sugars that can negatively impact both your oral health and the appearance of your aligners.
The best practice remains removing your aligners before drinking anything other than plain water. If you must use a straw for a particular drink, ensure that you rinse your mouth with water afterward and brush your teeth before reinserting your aligners. However, relying on a straw should not replace proper oral hygiene and mindful beverage choices during Invisalign treatment.
Conclusion
Maintaining your Invisalign aligners in pristine condition and safeguarding your oral health comes down to making smart beverage choices. While water is the safest and most recommended option to drink while wearing your aligners, all other drinks—especially those that contain sugar, acid, or strong pigments—should be consumed with caution. The best habit you can develop is to remove your aligners before drinking anything other than water, rinse your mouth afterward, and brush your teeth before putting them back in.
Being mindful of what you drink not only prevents staining and bacterial buildup but also ensures that your aligners remain clear, discreet, and effective throughout your treatment. Small, consistent efforts in your daily routine will lead to better results and a healthier smile in the long run.
If you have any further questions about Invisalign care or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to Parsons Orthodontics—we’re here to help you achieve your best smile!
