Can You Drink Alcohol With Braces & Aligners?

When receiving orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners, it's normal to be concerned about the possible impact on your social life. Whether drinking alcohol is safe when wearing braces or aligners is a frequently asked question. We understand your worries as dental professionals, and we're here to offer you the guidance you need. To ensure you may continue your orthodontic treatment while enjoying social interactions, we'll go over the in-depth discussion about alcohol while getting orthodontic treatment in this blog post.

How to Drink When Wearing Braces: The Fundamentals

Let’s start by addressing the most important question: Is it safe to drink alcohol while wearing braces? In general, the answer is yes, but there are a few key factors to consider. The main concern is that there’s a chance that some alcoholic drinks can break or discolor your braces. Alcohol can also cause dehydration, which may make any discomfort you feel in the first few days after receiving braces.

Which Alcoholic Drinks Are Safe to Choose?

Making sensible decisions when choosing alcoholic beverages with braces is crucial to preserving your dental health and protecting your braces. Choose clear beverages like white wine and vodka. Compared to red wine, dark spirits, or beverages with additional food coloring, these drinks are less likely to discolor your braces.

In general, drinking beer while wearing braces is harmless, but pay attention to the sugar level and stay away from highly sweetened beer selections. Additionally, if you like cocktails, avoid clear of mixed drinks that contain sugary or acidic mixers as these might erode and decay enamel.

Moderation is Essential

Drinking alcohol while wearing braces requires moderation, just like in other aspects of life. Drinking too much alcohol might make you less likely to make wise decisions, break your braces, or injure your mouth. Moreover, excessive alcohol consumption might cause dehydration, which can cause discomfort and possibly delay the braces' adjustment procedure.

Prioritize Maintaining Oral Hygiene

To get the best outcomes after orthodontic treatment, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential. While drinking alcohol, it's crucial to remember to take care of your teeth. After drinking alcohol, make sure to give your teeth a thorough brushing because some drinks include sugars and acids that can stick to your braces and teeth, increasing the risk of decay and enamel erosion.

Take Care of Snacks That Are Brace-Friendly

Snacks and appetizers are usually consumed along with alcoholic beverages during social events. Choose remedies that are compatible with braces when doing this to prevent any possible harm. Soft snacks are preferable to hard or sticky ones that can get caught in your braces or bend the wires, such as cheese, fruit slices, or vegetable sticks.

Managing Uncertainty

It's common to feel a little uncomfortable after receiving braces or after adjustments. If you intend to drink just after an appointment, be ready for potential sensitivity. Avoid extremely hot or cold beverages as they may worsen sensitivity. Water can help keep your mouth hydrated and ease any discomfort in between alcoholic drinks.

Is Alcohol Safe to Drink While Using Clear Aligners?

Aside from how well it straightens teeth, one of the best things about a clear aligner is how convenient it is. You can remove the aligners when it’s time to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. After that, you can eat and drink anything you want. Before putting the aligners back on after enjoying, give your teeth a quick brush and rinse.

Therefore, you can drink alcohol if you are 21 years of age or older as long as you take out your aligners first. If you forget and consume red wine, your aligners can go pink. Then, your treatment won't appear particularly discreet!

In contrast, clear beverages like white wine are less likely to leave stains on your aligners. However, it is always advised to remove the aligners before eating or consuming any liquid other than water. By doing this, you can prevent bad breath and maintain the condition of your teeth.

What Can You Do to Avoid Issues With Drinking While Wearing Clear Aligners?

Here are some guidance to avoid issues with drinking water while wearing clear aligners:

• Take out your clear aligners before consuming any alcohol.
• Avoid clear of nursing your drink for several hours.
• Water will wash away part of the acid, sugar, and plaque and encourage the production of saliva, so drink lots of it.
• Before re-inserting your aligners, rinse your mouth.
• Always keep in mind that moderation is the key to a happy and healthy grin.

Consuming Alcohol With Clear Aligners: The Transient Benefit

When it comes to drinking, aligners' detachable design has the following benefits:

• Just Take Them Out: Take out your aligners and put them in their case before consuming any liquid other than water. This keeps them from discoloring and lets you freely enjoy your beverage.
• Rinse Well: Before re-adjusting your aligners, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after drinking to get rid of any remaining sugar or acid.
• Maintain Wear Time: Keep in mind that wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours a day is essential for effective treatment. To make sure you reach your wear time objectives, account for the removal time of liquids.

In a nutshell, it is possible to have alcohol while wearing braces or clear aligners, but it does call for some awareness and caution. To protect your braces and clear aligners and get the best orthodontic results, choose clear, less sweat alcoholic beverages, drink in moderation, and take great care of your teeth. Always seek advice from your dentist or orthodontist if you have any worries or inquiries concerning your orthodontic treatment. Cheers to a gorgeous, healthy smile and a prosperous orthodontic adventure.