Drinks Your Teen Should Avoid While Wearing Clear Aligners

Which Drinks Teen Should Avoid While Wearing Clear Aligners

Getting clear aligners is a major milestone for many teenagers. It’s a clear, comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces. Teens love the freedom of removing their aligners to eat their favorite foods, and parents appreciate the easier oral hygiene routine. However, this freedom comes with responsibility. Clear aligners only work if you’re consistent about wearing them and following specific guidelines—including what you can eat and drink. Beverages are a particularly tricky area. Many teens assume that because liquids slide right past the plastic, they’re perfectly safe. This misunderstanding can lead to serious dental issues, damaged aligners, and prolonged treatment times. With this in mind, here’s what you need to know about which drinks you should avoid while wearing clear aligners.

Why What You Drink Matters

Clear aligners are designed to fit snugly against the teeth. This tight fit is exactly how they gently shift teeth into their correct positions. Unfortunately, this design also means that any liquid your teen drinks can easily seep under the plastic and become trapped. When you drink something sugary or acidic, the liquid sits directly against the tooth enamel for hours. Saliva can’t always reach these parts of the teeth, and the bacteria are left to grow unchecked.

What Drinks to Avoid With Clear aligners

Dentists hear all kinds of questions about drinks when it comes to clear aligners. Can you drink coffee with clear aligners? Does drinking juice stain clear aligners trays? Here are a few beverages teens (and adults) should avoid while the trays are in:

• Sugary Sodas—Soda is packed with sugar and highly acidic ingredients. When soda gets trapped beneath the aligners, it creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which accelerates tooth decay and can cause severe cavities.
• Sports and Energy Drinks—Many teens rely on sports drinks after practice or energy drinks to get through a late-night study session. These beverages are often just as sugary and acidic as soda. The citric acid found in many sports drinks can erode tooth enamel, leading to permanent damage and sensitivity.
• Flavored Waters and Sweetened Teas—Even drinks that seem healthy can be problematic. Flavored waters often contain hidden sugars or artificial sweeteners paired with acidic flavorings. Sweetened iced teas are also notorious for leaving behind a sticky residue that promotes plaque buildup under the plastic trays.

Drinks That Are Safe When the Aligners Are Removed

Some drinks are perfectly fine for your teen to enjoy, provided they take their aligners out first. They just need to remember to store their trays safely in their case before taking a sip:

• Hot Coffee and Tea—Hot beverages are a major threat to Clear aligners trays. The plastic used for the aligners is designed to be molded under high heat. Drinking a hot cup of coffee or tea can cause the plastic to warp and no longer fit correctly.
• Dark Fruit Juices—Juices like grape, cranberry, or pomegranate are healthy options, but they carry heavy pigments. If a teen drinks these with their aligners in, the clear plastic will quickly turn a murky shade of purple or yellow.
• Thick Smoothies—Because smoothies are thick and often contain small fruit seeds, they easily stick to the teeth and the inside of the aligners. Teens can absolutely enjoy a smoothie, but the aligners should be safely stowed away first.

What Teens Can Drink With Clear Aligners In

There is exactly one beverage that is completely safe to drink while wearing clear aligners: plain, cool water. Water contains no sugars or acids, and it won’t cause tooth decay if it gets trapped. There are no pigments, so it won’t stain plastic, and water won’t warp the trays (as long as it stays cool).

How to Care for Clear Aligners When Having a Beverage

Accidents happen, and sometimes a teen might take a sip of something without even thinking about it. Fortunately, a strong hygiene routine can combat any damage. For one, whenever your teen removes their aligners, they should always rinse their mouth thoroughly with plain water before putting the trays back in. Rinsing helps flush away sugars and acids.

Ideally, teens should brush their teeth after consuming sugary or dark drinks, too. If brushing isn’t immediately possible, chewing sugar-free gum for a few minutes before reinserting the aligners can help produce more saliva and clear away debris. Always rinse the aligners themselves with cool water before putting them back into the mouth.

Clear Aligners Tips for Teenage Patients

Teens usually do very well with clear aligners, especially with the support of their parents. Here are a couple of practical clear aligners tips for teens that can help treatment go smoothly:

• Carry Your Case—Encourage them to always carry their aligner case. Most lost aligners happen when a teen takes them out to eat or drink and wraps them in a napkin. Keeping the case in their backpack or pocket ensures the trays are safe from getting thrown away or damaged.
• Make a Schedule—Help your teen create a realistic schedule around their clear aligners. Since they need to wear the trays for 22 hours a day, they only have about two hours total for meals and drinking other beverages. Planning their daily coffee or sports drink around mealtimes helps consolidate the time the aligners spend out of their mouth.

Don’t Ignore Food and Drink Guidelines

When teenagers ignore these guidelines about beverages, the results can be frustrating and costly. The most common consequence is discolored aligners. Clear aligners that have turned yellow or brown completely defeat the purpose of an invisible orthodontic treatment. More importantly, drinking sugary beverages with aligners in drastically increases the risk of decalcification. This condition leaves permanent, chalky white spots on the teeth. Severe cavities may require them to stop the aligners treatment altogether to allow for dental fillings or crowns. It’s always your best bet to encourage your teen to strictly avoid any drinks that might cause problems.

Keeping Your Teen’s Smile on Track

Once you know how to care for clear aligners (and which drinks to avoid), you can help your teen make the most of their treatment. Before long, they’ll be enjoying a straighter smile! The team at Dental Care of Wheaton is always here to help. Our dentist has years of experience in general dentistry and can offer advice about a wide range of treatments. Reach out to our Wheaton, IL office today to schedule an appointment.