You can drink water while wearing your aligners. Clear aligners are removable, transparent trays that fit snugly over your teeth to gradually shift them into alignment. Plain, cool, or room-temperature water is the only liquid completely safe to consume without removal, as it will not harm the trays or your teeth. Staying hydrated supports both your overall health and your orthodontic treatment progress.
The Safety of Drinking Plain Water
Water is the only liquid chemically compatible with wearing aligners due to its neutral properties. Aligners cover the entire surface of the teeth, creating a barrier that traps any consumed liquid against the enamel and the tray material. Because water is pH neutral (typically around 7.0), it does not introduce acid that could erode the tooth surface beneath the plastic barrier.
This neutrality is important because if an acidic beverage were trapped, the acid would be held against the teeth, encouraging dental erosion and decay. Water contains no sugars or color pigments that could compromise the treatment. The absence of sugar prevents the formation of a sticky film that bacteria feed on, leading to plaque buildup and potential cavities. Plain water also avoids discoloration that would make the transparent aligners visible and cloudy.
Why Liquid Temperature Matters
Aligners are made from thermoplastic materials designed to maintain a specific shape and apply constant pressure to the teeth. Introducing high temperatures from liquids like hot coffee, tea, or very warm water can compromise this material. The heat can cause the plastic to become pliable and deform or warp, which changes the precise fit of the aligner.
If an aligner warps, it will no longer track correctly, meaning orthodontic forces are applied incorrectly, potentially delaying the treatment plan. Exposure to beverages around 135°F (57°C) can significantly decrease the hardness and alter the mechanical properties of the aligner material. Extremely cold water is much less risky, though excessive cold can sometimes cause temporary discomfort, but it does not carry the same risk of deformation as heat.
Comparing Water to Other Beverages
Any beverage other than plain water poses a risk to both the aligners and the teeth, necessitating their removal before consumption. Sugary and acidic drinks, including soda, fruit juice, and sports drinks, are a triple threat because they contain sugar, acid, and often color. When trapped under the aligner, they create an environment for rapid enamel erosion and bacterial growth.
Even diet sodas and flavored sparkling waters, which are sugar-free, are highly acidic due to ingredients like citric, phosphoric, or carbonic acid, which can weaken the tooth enamel. Staining drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine contain strong pigments, such as tannins, that the porous thermoplastic material of the aligners will absorb quickly. These pigments cause the clear trays to become yellowed or discolored, defeating the purpose of a nearly invisible treatment. For all non-water beverages, the aligners must be removed, and teeth should be brushed or thoroughly rinsed with water before reinsertion to wash away any lingering sugar or acid.