OK, we feel your pain. If you can give up coffee, go for it. But, if you are like so coffee lovers out there, this may not be a realistic option for you.
So, what do you do?
If you wear Invisalign®. . .
Youmust at the very least remove your trays before you drink coffee. This also applies to tea, red wine and soda. Remember to always clean your trays before popping them back into your mouth. Try drinking iced coffee or tea out of a straw to minimize exposure to your teeth.
What’s the problem with coffee?
Hot beverages can cause the plastic Invisalign trays to warp, so much so that they no longer fit your mouth properly. Invisalign aligners are made customized for you and your mouth. Without this customization, you simply cannot achieve the orthodontic results you want.
One of the reasons you probably chose Invisalign over traditional braces is because people have a hard time noticing that you are wearing them. Coffee, red wine and soda can all stain your trays. Not so invisible now, right?
If you wear traditional braces . . .
Dark colored beverages like coffee, tea, soda and juice can stain not only your teeth but also the bands and brackets of your braces.
To minimize staining, try drinking iced coffee, iced tea, soda and juices through a straw. Or, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after drinking beverages that may stain your teeth.
What happens if I’ve already stained my teeth?
If you notice staining on your teeth when we remove your braces, don’t fear. You can try an at-home whitening product or schedule a professional whitening treatment to remove staining.
