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While it is important to keep an eye on your diet when going through teeth alignment treatments either using braces or aligners, having a glass of wine or a sip of champagne can’t hurt anyone, right?
To answer this question, we’ll be looking at whether alcohol is harmful to your braces or aligners, along with tips and tricks to indulge in a bit of alcohol without damaging your teeth or dental appliances.
Alcohol and Dental Appliances: Is It Risky?
Whether you’re a heavy drinker or find yourself consuming alcohol every once in a while, it is vital to have a clear understanding of what alcohol does to your teeth and dental appliances. Furthermore, each alcoholic drink has a different composition, which can affect your teeth in a variety of ways.
Although drinking while wearing dental appliances is considered generally safe, your braces and aligners are still at risk of getting damaged.
For Traditional Braces
Traditional braces, also referred to as metal braces, are prone to getting damaged due to the acidic nature of alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, the metal brackets being used in traditional braces can get stained and discolored with time as alcohol is used.
Following are some of the aftereffects of wearing braces while drinking alcohol.
For Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are considered a big advancement in the field of orthodontics, yet these too aren’t safe from the risks of alcohol consumption. Sugary and dark-pigmented drinks such as red wine, dark beer, or wine can cause your aligners to start discoloring and lose their charm with time. Furthermore, the liquid particles can get trapped and seeped in the clear aligners, which can lead to bacterial growth.
Smart Drinking Strategies
Although consuming alcoholic beverages is harmful to dental health, there are certain lifestyle changes that you can adopt to ensure alcohol doesn’t damage your teeth.
Remove Aligners When Drinking
While this is not applicable in the case of braces, users can safeguard their clear aligners by simply removing them. Although your teeth will still be exposed to the alcohol being consumed, removing the aligners beforehand can significantly increase the lifespan of your clear aligners.
Planning for Social Occasions
If you’re planning to attend a social occasion where drinks will be served, you can set a limit on the number of drinks you’ll have beforehand along with bringing some dental cleaning supplies to ensure your aligners or braces are not constantly at the forefront of facing enamel erosion or tooth decay.
Drinking Water Between Alcoholic Beverages
Consuming water between your alcoholic beverages will not only help you combat the dehydration that occurs due to alcohol, but it can also wash down the harmful particles stuck in your dental appliances.
Using Straws
Not only does using a straw make drinking easier, but it can also help your aligners or braces make less contact with the drink. This helps ensure your dental appliances suffer minimal damage while you can continue enjoying your drinks.
Ensure Optimal Cleaning
Whether you’re looking for ways to enjoy alcohol while wearing dental appliances or not, properly cleaning them should always be at the top of your list. Not only does this increase your tool’s lifespan, but it also helps remove any residues left behind after drinking.
Which Beverages To Go For?
As mentioned before, each alcoholic beverage differs from the others based on its acidic content, sugar percentage, and much more. This can help you choose which drink does less damage to your dental appliances. Here are some drinks you should go for and some that are considered red flags for your dental appliances.
Better Choices
- Clear spirits (vodka, gin)
- Light beers
- White wine
- Clear mixers
Beverages to Avoid or Limit
- Red wine
- Dark beers
- Sugary cocktails
- Colored mixers
Care and Maintenance Tips
To ensure your dental appliances give you the most effective treatment possible while you’re consuming alcohol, it is important to keep their hygiene in check regularly. This enables your braces or aligners to offer more protection even while drinking alcohol.
Immediate Actions
If you’re looking for some fast and easy tips to enjoy alcohol while wearing braces or aligners, here are some steps you should follow:
- Rinsing the mouth after drinking
- Proper cleaning before reinserting aligners
- Brush and floss after drinking
Long-term Care
While the quick and simple tips can give your dental tools some temporary relaxation, try following the tips below to keep them running for a longer time.
- Regular cleaning routines
- Watch out for any signs of damage
- Consult with your orthodontist
Needless to say, everybody has their vices, and consuming alcohol can be yours. But this shouldn’t cause a hindrance in your teeth-straightening journey. While there is a wide range of tips and tricks for you to enjoy alcohol while wearing braces or aligners, it is best to consult with a professional beforehand who can assess your dental condition and provide the best possible suggestion.
FAQs
Q: Is it safe to consume alcohol while wearing braces or aligners?
A: Although it is technically safe to consume alcohol while wearing dental appliances, they can still pose a threat to them as well as your teeth.
Q: Are there any alcoholic drinks that I should avoid while wearing dental appliances?
A: To ensure the safety and durability of your dental appliances, it is best to avoid extra-sugary and dark-pigmented drinks to avoid discoloration and staining on your braces or aligners.
