Can I Drink Clear Alcohol With Invisalign?

Should you remove your Invisalign trays before you drink clear alcohol? Or simply tack on a few extra hours of “tray-free” independence? 

When it comes to food/beverage consumption with any clear aligner brand, the majority of dentists and orthodontists sway towards a nothing-but-cold-water outlook. As we know, not everyone follows this approach to a tee. 

This Post Will Cover: 

1) Whether having clear alcohol with Invisalign is off the table

2) The best and worst alcoholic beverages to drink with clear aligners 

3) Making smart clear aligner habits when you’re enjoying a night out 

Let’s dive in.

Invisalign and Clear Alcohol Can “Mix” 

Getting started with a clear aligner program isn’t an exile from letting your hair down. However, drinking excessively and leaving your trays out for considerably long intervals might impact your length of treatment.

The catch-22 with clear aligners is finding the tricks to maximize your wear time without compromising your favorite meals and drinks of choice. 

Eating crunchy, sugary, and sticky foods with your trays could warp or permanently damage them. The case is similar when drinking certain types of alcohol. 

In general, you’ll want to avoid the following 4 alcoholic beverage categories: 

Acidic Alcoholic Beverages 

Mimosas

Kombucha

Hot Alcoholic Beverages

Spiked ciders

Hot toddies

Thick Alcoholic Beverages 

Mudslides

Boozy milkshakes

Sugar-Laden Alcoholic Beverages

Sangria

Daiquiris

Acidic, hot, thick, and sugar-laden alcoholic beverages cover the gamut of top preferences for many, yet there’s no reason to feel discouraged. 

Next up, are the best alcoholic drinks to consume with clear aligners: 

Clear Spirits 

Gin

Non-grain Vodka 

Naturally Flavored Canned Cocktails

Tequila spritzers

White wine spritzers

Pale, Fermented Liquors

Light beer

White rum

Japanese and Korean Liquors

Cold sake

Cold soju

Practicing Discipline With Your Clear Aligners

While drinking a glass of wine or hard seltzer through a straw isn’t ideal, it’s not the worst thing in the world. The apparent plus side to Invisalign and clear aligners is that they can be removed with ease

Low PH mixers such as club soda and sparkling water are also better alternatives to enamel-staining soda or juice. They’re less acidic, have neutral coloring, and contain lower traces of sugar. 

Last but not least, you can make the most out of your treatment plan by following these 5 unspoken strategies to build your confidence with clear aligners. 

Recap

Having moderate amounts of clear alcohol with Invisalign isn’t problematic when you take excellent care of your oral hygiene. Clear alcohol, specifically, reduces the likelihood of tooth/tray staining and tooth erosion. For all topics related to food and nutrition with clear aligners, head over to NutrishMe’s Well+Aligned program page.