What Can You Drink With Invisalign?

Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments for straightening teeth. Its nearly invisible trays make it easy to feel confident while working toward a healthier smile. But if you’re new to Invisalign treatment or clear aligners, you may be wondering: what can you drink while wearing Invisalign?

The truth is, your drink choices matter more than you might think. Some beverages can stain, warp, or damage aligners, while others may cause cavities or slow down treatment progress. Below, we’ll cover the do’s and don’ts of drinking with Invisalign—so you can enjoy your favorite beverages without derailing your smile journey.

Clear aligners are designed to fit snugly over your teeth and gently guide them into place. Because they cover the tooth surface completely, anything you drink while wearing Invisalign or clear aligners also makes direct contact with the trays and the teeth beneath them.

Here’s why that matters:

• Sugar and acids from drinks can get trapped between the trays and your teeth, increasing the risk of decay.
• Hot drinks can warp the plastic, altering the fit and slowing down progress.
• Colored or staining drinks can turn your aligners yellow, making them much more noticeable.

I often explain to patients that clear aligners work a lot like whitening trays. In fact, many people first learn how to whiten teeth with whitening gel, since it whitens your teeth in a similar enclosed setup. But with aligners, if sugars or acids get trapped inside, they can essentially turn into “cavity trays”—and if you sip on staining drinks, they can quickly become “staining trays.” That’s why orthodontists recommend removing aligners for almost every beverage—except one safe option.

Drinking with Invisalignon should be done with some caution.So what can you safely sip without worrying about damage or stains?

 1. Plain, cold water – This is the only truly safe option to drink with Invisalign in.Drinkingwater keeps you hydrated, helps rinse away bacteria, and won’t damage your trays.

 2. Sugar-free beverages – If you need a little pick-me-up, opt for a clear, sugar-free option to minimize staining and reduce cavity risk. Just be sure to remove aligners before drinking.

 3. Alcoholic beverages – Happy hour isn’t off limits! Stick to clearer, less acidic options such as a vodka soda and use a straw whendrinking alcohol. Wine, beer, and cocktails can stain your teeth and may contain acids andsugarycontent that can harm youroral health. If you choose toeat and drinksugarybeverages whilewearing Invisalign, then it’s better to remove the aligners beforehand and rinse your mouth with water before reinserting them.

If it’s hard to pass up your favorite drink, a straw may help limit contact with your teeth and aligners. Aim the straw toward the back of your mouth and avoid letting the liquid sit. But remember: water is still the only risk-free choice.

Pro Tip: Keep a reusable water bottle handy. Staying hydrated will help you naturally rinse away particles and reduce dry mouth while wearing aligners.

While tempting, most drinks should be avoided while wearing Invisalign. Here’s why:

 1.Coffee & Tea – Highly pigmented and acidic, these beverages can stain Invisalign aligners and your teeth.

 2.Soda & Sports Drinks – Packed with sugar and acidity, they can lead to tooth decay if trapped under aligners.

 3.Juice – Even natural juices contain sugar and acid that promote cavities.

 4.Alcohol (Beer, Wine, Cocktails) – Wine and dark liquors stain, while carbonation and sugar increase enamel erosion.

 5.Energy Drinks – These are highly acidic and sugary, creating a perfect environment for enamel erosion and cavities if consumed with Invisalign

 6.Flavored Sparkling Water – Even “sugar-free” versions are often acidic enough to damage enamel over time. Stick with unflavored sparkling water.

 7.Kombucha – Though popular as a “healthy” drink, kombucha is both acidic and often high in sugar, making it risky for aligner wearers.

 8.Hot Beverages – Anything above lukewarm can warp your trays, making them ineffective.

Best Practice: Remove your aligners before drinking anything other than water. Afterward, brush or rinse before reinserting them to keep aligners crystal clear and your teeth healthy.

Managing your aligners while enjoying your favorite drinks doesn’t have to be complicated. The right tools make it easy to keep your trays clean, protected, and effective.

• PUL 2-in-1 Seating & Removal Tool – Instead of struggling with your fingers, this tool helps you remove aligners discreetly and hygienically before grabbing a drink, and ensures proper aligner fit to stay on track with your Invisalign treatment.
• PUL Carry Me Case – Always keep a protective case with you to store your aligners when removed. This prevents loss, damage, or accidental exposure to germs.
• PUL Cleaning Tablets – After enjoying a coffee or glass of wine, these tablets dissolve stains, odors, and buildup—keeping trays fresh and invisible.
• PUL Pick Me Floss Picks – Sugar and acids from drinks can hide between teeth. Keep floss picks handy for a quick clean before putting aligners back in.
  

By using these simple tools, you’ll avoid staining, maintain oral hygiene, and protect your aligners throughout treatment.

Can I drink sparkling water with Invisalign?
It’s best to avoid it while wearing aligners. The carbonation and acidity can weaken enamel and potentially affect aligners over time. If you really want it, stick to unflavored sparkling water, which does not damage tooth enamel, or remove your trays first and rinse your mouth before putting them back in.

What happens if I accidentally drink coffee with my aligners in?
One or two sips won’t ruin Invisalign treatment, but repeated exposure can stain aligners and teeth. If it happens, rinse your mouth and your trays with water right away, then clean them thoroughly later.

Can I drink alcohol with Invisalign?
You should always remove aligners before drinking alcohol like beer, wine, or cocktails. Most alcoholic drinks are acidic, sugary, and staining—all of which can harm your trays and teeth. Stick to clear spirits mixed with soda and use a straw.

Is it okay to drink juice with Invisalign?
No—juice is high in sugar and acid, which can get trapped under aligners, leading to tooth decay. Always remove your trays first.

Can I use a straw to protect aligners?

A straw can reduce liquid contact with teeth and trays, but it’s not foolproof. Water is the only 100% safe drink with Invisalign.

When it comes to Invisalign, water is your best friend. Drinking anything else with aligners in place can lead to stains, cavities, or damaged trays. The same goes for eating with Invisalign: your aligners should always come out first. But with a little planning—and the right tools—you can still enjoy your favorite drinks without jeopardizing your Invisalign treatment.

PUL’s collection of accessories for Invisalign and clear aligners from the 2-in-1 Seating and Removal Tool to Cleaning Tablets and Travel Cases—makes it easy to keep your aligners safe and to  keep your smile on track.

Ready to simplify your Invisalign routine? Explore PUL Dental’s full product lineup and make every sip aligner-friendly.

Sources:

1. NIH. Effect of elevated beverage temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of Invisalign clear aligners: an in-vitro simulation study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40495071/
2. American Association of Orthodontists. How Do Clear Aligners Work: https://aaoinfo.org/treatments/aligners/
3. Science Direct. Impact of Clear Aligners on Oral Health and Oral Microbiome During Orthodontic Treatment:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653923000655

Editorial Policy 

At PUL Dental, our goal is to provide clear, reliable, and helpful information to patients and dental professionals navigating the world of clear aligner treatment. All content on our blog is written by our cofounder, a Registered Dental Assistant with over a decade of experience in the dental field and a specialized background in adult orthodontics.

Drawing from years of hands-on clinical experience and patient interaction, we aim to create content that reflects real-world insights, clinical knowledge, and practical solutions.

Every article is:

• Written with firsthand experience from working directly with patients undergoing clear aligner therapy.

• Focused on accuracy and relevance to current orthodontic practices and patient needs.

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As our content team grows, we plan to expand our editorial process to include additional contributors, expert reviewers, and peer collaboration to further enhance the depth and quality of the information we provide.

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