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Invisalign works to correct your teeth alignment and bite problems gradually when you wear the Invisalign trays consistently. Gentle force is placed on your teeth and gradually shifts them into their proper place, correcting crooked teeth and malocclusions.
However, to get the best results out of Invisalign, you need to wear them for 22 hours a day and only take them out to consume foods and drinks other than water and to brush and floss your teeth. Invisalign comes with a lot of benefits, enabling people to correct the cosmetic and functional issues with their teeth in secrecy thanks to Invisalign’s transparent aligners.
Coffee and tea are hot drinks that can alter the form of your Invisalign trays. Your aligner trays are made out of a plastic material that is molded into a specific shape to fit your teeth. If you consume any hot liquid while wearing your Invisalign trays, it can cause shape distortion and in turn affect their ability to shift your teeth into their proper alignment.
The other issue with coffee is that it is very staining for your teeth and your aligners. By drinking coffee or tea with your aligners in, you will cause the aligners or your teeth to become discolored and this will also affect the aesthetics of your smile.
If you are consuming coffee with the addition of cream and sugar, this also contributes to tooth decay and cavities. Coffee is high in acidity and the addition of sugar or cream (which is also high in sugar) creates the perfect environment for bacteria which can turn into plaque and eventually lead to cavities.
It’s not just coffee that is harmful to your teeth and Invisalign trays, there are other staining and hot liquids that should be avoided as long as you have your aligners in your mouth. These include:
These foods and drinks should be avoided while wearing your Invisalign trays so you don’t cause discoloration or alteration to the shape of the tray’s mold. Many of these drinks are also incredibly acidic and high in sugar, which increases your risk of tooth decay.
The good news is you don’t have to completely give up your favorite cup of coffee. You just have to use some precaution and ensure that you take out your aligners before you consume a hot cup of coffee or tea.
You can take your aligners out for up to 2 hours per day, but anything longer than this will negatively impact their effectiveness. To maximize their effectiveness, try to wear them for at least 22 hours a day and only take them out to eat or drink and clean your teeth.
After having your cup of coffee, brush your teeth before putting your aligners back on. If you don’t clean your teeth first, then the coffee residue on your teeth can still cause discoloration in your trays and will remove the acidity that contributes to cavities.
You can also drink a glass of water following your cup of coffee to flush out the residue and restore moisture which can fight against dry mouth.
Try to limit how much coffee you drink so you don’t have to take your aligners out for long periods and you reduce the staining effect it can have on your teeth as well as the amount of sugar and acidity you are consuming. When you do drink coffee, it is best to drink it black to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Invisalign is a wonderful innovation in orthodontic technology which enables us to correct malocclusions, crooked teeth alignment, and other bite problems without drawing attention to metal wires and brackets that braces require.
The best part about Invisalign is that it requires little sacrifice on your part, as you can continue to play sports, consume your favorite foods and drinks, and treatment requires few alterations to your day. To find out if Invisalign is right for you, contact us at Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics or schedule an appointment with Dr. Molly Hottenstein for a consultation.
@ Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics 2020
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