Tea and biscuit withdrawal

Message

#1 Post by **Rosie J** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 2:30 am

Its day 2 and 1/2 and I'm missing tea lots. Maybe a company could manufacture a patch to help with the withdrawal

Is drinking tea with the trays in really THAT bad? Has anyone tried leaving an old set in a cold cup of tea for a few hours? Did they turn brown and dissolve away?!

#2 Post by **KUMonkeyMomma** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 6:58 am

I have drank tea and coffee with my trays in - just let it cool off quite a bit first. Part of the problem with teas/coffee is that it's so hot it can warp the aligners. Another part is the staining possibility. And lastly leaving any leftover coffee/tea (or any type of drink other than water) up against your teeth to cause decay/cavities since it can't get rinsed off by your mouth's normal saliva, especially if you use cream and sugar.

I drank it after cooled off (still warm but not hot) and then once I was done, went and took out my trays and rinsed really well with water or mouthwash and rinsed off my trays well and popped em back in. I also got in the habit of every few days soaking the trays in denture cleaner (or retainerbrite, etc - a cleaner just for braces or retainers) while I had them out for lunch or dinner. I never noticed any appreciative staining or changes in color or cloudiness, etc.

I don't drink it with them in now nearly as much as I used to because I just try to time my morning coffee with my morning break at work when I'd have my trays out for my quick breakfast/snack - but on days we're busy and I can't get my break in I will drink it with them in. Same with it I want a cup of tea later in the evening after I've put them back in after dinner.

I know it's not advisable by invisalign or dentists/orthos but there have been a number of people that drink or even eat soft things with them in with no adverse affects.

#3 Post by **Wireless** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 9:27 am

To me, this has been one of the biggest challenges with Invisalign, especially having prolonged case (2 years). I do occasionally drink warm tea with artificial sweetener with my aligners in and then rinse them and my mouth afterwards. I have given up my morning coffee at my desk (really miss it!) and have had to watch everyone else in a meeting eat snacks.

I think everyone probably ends up bending the rules a bit - the 22 hr a day schedule is really restrictive. When I do try things not recommended, I do look for any problems that may be occuring as a result. One good thing about Invisalign trays is that you only have them typically for 2 weeks, although I did wear an upper tray for 20+ weeks waiting for my lowers to catch up.

Good luck!!

#4 Post by **Rosie J** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:21 pm

Thanks for the replies- I've been drinking the odd cup of herbal tea, not the same caffine hit but its something warm in a cup! My jeans feel looser already so not all bad.

#5 Post by **nananna915** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 4:30 pm

I drink tea every morning with my trays in and it's never stained my trays or changed their shape. I'm a third of the way done with my treatment and everything is going smoothly. I say drink up!

#6 Post by **kt2010** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 2:44 am

Yep, coffee, tea, beer, white wine, all goes in. (not at the same time though! ) I do let the hot drinks cool off quite a bit though. Always keep a glass of water handy for swishing around though just to help keep things clean. Never had any staining or discoloring issues.
1/2 way through now, big changes happening with my teeth so very happy with it all.