Coffee Stains?

[dopamine]

Is it true that coffee stains teeth more readily with attachments and Invisalign? Any coffee drinkers have Invisalign, attachments and white teeth??

[mommamorin]

im a coffee addict, and Since November of 08, I had no staining at all. I am now in retainers, but still wear them 16-20 hours a day. After every meal, drink or whatever, you should brush or at minimum give a good many water swishes if just having liquids, before putting your aligners in. I have used Crest whitening throughout my treatment and actually, my teeth have never been more white after all that good oral hygiene.

[liccledevil83]

I'm a coffee drinker, my teeth were badly stained before invisalign, I've found they're better since having it but I guess I'm brushing my teeth after each coffee session so keeping the stains away! Hopefully!
Tx

[gap]

I drink a cup of coffee every day. (Trays removed, of course)

I do notice staining around the edges of my attachments after a few months, but my regular dental cleaning visits take care of it.

Ensure you go for the regular dental cleaning appointments, and you will keep the staining to a minimum.

[havingitdoneintheuk]

I'm a tea drinker and like Gap I did get a bit of staining just round the edges of the attachments but it came away fine!

[dopamine]

Do you always remove the Invisalign b4 drinking coffee?

[gap]

I do remove my trays when I drink coffee.

[dopamine]

Interesting... is that because you do not want to stain the Invisalign? I drink about 5 -10 cups a day and leave mine in.

[Rosieee]

Interesting... is that because you do not want to stain the Invisalign? I drink about 5 -10 cups a day and leave mine in.

Arghhh whatt!!!? You should only EVER drink water with your Invisalign trays in!!!

[dopamine]

My ortho said to only remove to eat. I specifically asked him about things like protein shakes and he said to leave it in.

[gap]

I believe the "rule of thumb" with Invisalign is you really should not be consuming anything other than water while your trays are in place.

You are at risk of tooth decay and your trays losing some of their transparency.

Any beverages that may leave sugars/acids trapped between your trays and your teeth for long periods of time is a bad thing.

[dopamine]

interesting. I'm gonna ask my ortho next time. At least I only drink stuff with out sugar- I use equal in my coffee.. no sugar in my protein drinks.

[Phantom Muse]

My ortho also told me I could drink tea or coffee while wearing my aligners, but I have chosen not to do so. He said the biggest issue was with staining the aligners, but since they are only worn for two weeks usually, that is not a big problem. However, I worry far more about cavities, so this is why I have NOT listened to my ortho's advice on this issue!

I felt like such a rebel tonight, as we were out for dinner (my birthday!), and we were going to pick-up my favorite ice cream from Trader Joe's and then head home to eat it, so I did not brush my teeth before putting my aligners in. I rinsed well, but... I do go into a new tray tomorrow night, so I felt less gross about it, but it was my version of rebel behavior! Yikes. I need to get out more...

[Sunny]

Our patients are instructed to only drink water while their aligners are in.

The risk is that whatever you drink/eat, will stay in contact with the enamel and damage the enamel ... which can be permanent. Cavities may also result if you don't keep to the 'water only' rule.

[Patch]

Sounds like people are split down the middle on coffee. Switching beverages here, does anyone know anything about drinking alcohol with the trays in, specifically beer? Being a college student, I'm at a loss as to why I didn't ask my ortho about that initially.

[Phantom Muse]

I know some people do drink a variety of beverages while wearing their aligners, but as Sunny says, water only is best. I am scared of decay, so I want to maximize my chances of not getting any cavities. Consider it a test of your willpower!