Since 1997, Invisalign has been the preferred way for adults and teens to straighten their teeth. Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually invisible to the naked eye. They can allow you to achieve the smile of your dreams without anyone knowing. You won’t have to worry about any metal wires or brackets in your mouth because Invisalign involves a series of clear aligners made of comfortable plastic. Do you have to drink with a straw and if so should it be a plastic straw or a recyclable paper straw?
One of the reasons our patients here at Gladwell Orthodontics love Invisalign aligners is because they are removable. Any time you eat, drink, brush, or floss your teeth, you are free to take your aligners out of your mouth. There is one caveat though. In order for Invisalign to do its job and straighten your teeth, your aligners need to be in your mouth for at least 22 hours a day. If you’re constantly taking them out, you may prolong your treatment plan. Our Cary, NC dental friends, Tryon Family Dentistry, often state the longer you can keep Invisalign in, the better the treatment.
Recently, an Invisalign patient asked Dr. Gladwell whether they can drink with a straw when their aligners are in their mouth. He explained that Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign recommends that patients remove their aligners prior to drinking any type of beverage other than water.
If you must drink with your aligners in, you can use a straw to prevent staining. While it’s not the ideal solution, it may reduce the amount of staining that makes its debut on the sides of your aligners. If you do choose to use a straw, position it so that it can shunt as much liquid as possible to the rear portion of your mouth and down to your throat.
Since the ideal solution is to drink without your aligners in, be strategic about when you drink, eat, brush, and floss your teeth. You can designate specific times during the day for these activities so that you can ensure your aligners stay in your mouth for as long as they need to. There are a number of our patients that love to sip or consume a beverage throughout the day. While we would never want you to completely change your eating and drinking habits it might be time to stop sipping on Mountain Dew, Cheerwine or Dr. Pepper throughout your day. You will thank us in the long run.
Contact Gladwell Orthodontics
If you have further questions about Invisalign or drinking with a straw, don’t hesitate to contact our office at (919) 453-6325. We look forward to hearing from you!
