Can You Drink Water With Aligners On?
If you’re wearing Invisalign® or Angel Aligners, you’ve probably asked yourself:
“Can I drink water while wearing aligners, or do I have to take them out every time?”
Here’s the quick answer:
✅ Yes, you can drink plain water with aligners on.
🚫 No, you shouldn’t drink anything else unless you remove them first.
At Elate Orthodontics, we give every aligner patient a personalized set of do’s and don’ts so you can protect your investment, avoid delays, and keep your teeth healthy throughout your smile journey. Let’s dive into the details.
💧 Why Drinking Water With Aligners Is Totally Fine
Plain, cool, or room-temperature water is not only safe to drink while wearing aligners—it’s encouraged.
Here’s why:
- It keeps your mouth hydrated (dry mouth increases your risk of cavities)
- It helps rinse away bacteria and food debris between meals
- It doesn’t stain or warp the plastic, unlike other drinks
So if you’re reaching for a bottle of water, go ahead. No need to remove your aligners.
☕ What About Coffee, Tea, or Flavored Water?
This is where things get tricky. Drinks other than plain water can cause serious problems if you keep your aligners in:
1. Staining
Coffee, tea, and sports drinks can discolor your clear trays and make them look yellow or cloudy. Once stained, aligners can’t be cleaned back to crystal clear.
2. Warping
Hot liquids—especially coffee and tea—can warp the plastic, changing how the trays fit and reducing their effectiveness.
3. Tooth Decay Risk
Sugary or acidic drinks (like soda, juice, or energy drinks) get trapped under your aligners, creating the perfect environment for tooth decay and gum inflammation.
Even “healthy” drinks like lemon water or green tea can lower your mouth’s pH and harm your enamel over time.
👉 Curious about aligners? See how we compare Angel Aligners vs Invisalign
🧃Can I Sip Through a Straw?
It’s tempting—but not ideal. While a straw might reduce the contact your beverage has with your teeth and trays, it’s not foolproof. Heat, acidity, and sugar can still sneak underneath.
Bottom line: If it’s not plain water, take your aligners out, enjoy your drink, then rinse and reinsert.
⏱️ Do I Have to Remove Them Every Time I Drink?
If it’s anything but water—yes.
But the good news is, it’s quick:
- Pop your aligners out
- Enjoy your drink
- Rinse your mouth or brush (if it was sugary or acidic)
- Put your aligners back in
This routine becomes second nature within a week or two.
🧼 Pro Tip: Clean Aligners Daily
Water is safe to drink with aligners, but plaque still builds up over time.
Make sure to:
- Rinse your trays every time you take them out
- Brush them gently with a soft toothbrush (no toothpaste!)
- Use an aligner cleaning solution 1–2 times a week
👉 Check out our full Invisalign care tips to keep your aligners fresh and odor-free.
🧠 What We Tell Our Patients at Elate Orthodontics
At our offices in Frisco, Prosper, and The Colony, we remind aligner patients that the best way to speed up treatment is to:
- Wear aligners 22+ hours per day
- Remove them for meals and drinks other than water
- Brush and rinse before putting them back in
Doing these three things can shave weeks—or even months—off your total treatment time.
Want to see how fast clear aligners can work for your smile? Book your free consultation with our team today.
🔗 External Resource
Want official guidance? Here’s Invisalign’s take on it:
Invisalign FAQ – What Can I Drink?
❓ FAQ: Drinking With Aligners On
Can I drink cold water with Invisalign or Angel Aligners?
Yes! Cold or room-temperature water is totally safe to drink with your aligners in. In fact, staying hydrated helps keep your mouth healthy and aligners clean. Just avoid sparkling or flavored waters unless you remove your trays first—they can contain acids or sugars that harm your enamel.
Can I drink warm tea or coffee if it’s not too hot?
No—even warm drinks can stain or warp your aligners. Tea and coffee are especially known for leaving behind residue that builds up over time. If you’re craving something warm, remove your aligners first and brush or rinse before popping them back in.
What happens if I accidentally drank soda with my aligners in?
Don’t panic—but do rinse your mouth and aligners ASAP. Soda is acidic and sugary, and when trapped between the plastic and your teeth, it can rapidly damage your enamel. If it happens once, just clean your trays and brush as soon as you can. If it happens regularly, it may delay treatment and harm your teeth.
Can I sleep with aligners after drinking something sweet?
No—you should always brush your teeth and rinse your aligners before bed, especially if you’ve had anything sugary. Going to bed with sugar trapped under your trays can lead to cavities and gum issues, even if you’re wearing aligners correctly.
Can I drink flavored sparkling water with aligners in?
No. Even “sugar-free” sparkling waters can be acidic and may damage enamel or cloud your aligners over time. It’s best to treat all drinks (besides plain water) the same: remove your trays, enjoy your beverage, rinse, and then reinsert.