Drinking tea/coffee with braces

[Lovethatsmile]

My ortho put clear ligatures at the first appointment without asking and as I couldn't give up coffee, I use straw all the time. Once at a cafe too while out at brunch with family but have since decided not to order when out again! I didn't notice any staining until a few days into it, I grabbed hubby's half glass of berroca and downed it without thinking. Bam!!! Ugly neon yellow ligtures which makes my ceramic look yellow and my teeth too!

[SunshineRay]

ugh, thanks for all the warnings. It seems to be half and half on if its a good idea. I love tea....hot or cold.

[kathydell]

I'm about 3 months into treatment and I was scared to death about the staining because I have to have my coffee and I LOVE blueberries. Honestly, I was worried for nothing. I just drink my coffee through a straw to be sure but when I went for adjustment yesterday the tech was shocked how "clean" my ties were. It's not the ceramic braces that stain. It's the rubber band ties that stain and those get replaced at each adjustment. I just brush after blueberries, blackberries, coffee, tea, etc. The only thing I've heard that you really shouldn't do is curry because that really stains and you can't get it off.

[Jjlin24]

Ah coffee on a traw. I cannot give up food and drinks I love

[SparklyMouth]

P'shaw! enjoy the tea! I am a caffeine head who defies anyone to tell me to give up my morning cups of coffee (and late afternoon cup too). I just brush afterward to keep the staining to a minimum.

[KStew]

I use a straw for everything these days, and swish around some water between gulps of black coffee. The lighter colors stain pretty quickly for me, but the silver ligs didn't stain for several weeks (and even then, I think it was the curry that did them in).

[psily]

I made the mistake of choosing clear bands because I got clear braces. They have now turned yellow (making my teeth look yellow) from all the coffee and tea I drink. Now I now, my next appointment is in four days and definitely going to switch to colored bands.

[Aerynia]

I've got clear ligs on the top (with ceramics) and colours on the lowers (metal). I gave up drinking coffee and tea because they did stain my clear ligs (fine on the colours though) Once the clear ligs start turning that pale yellow colour they make your teeth look yellow as well, and since I don't really like the way it looks on me I just decided to give them up and drink white tea/hot water/hot chocolate instead. I don't find that I miss it much and I don't get the caffeine headaches or anxiety that I used to, which is great!

I miss curry though

[karebear1008]

[quote="djspeece"]Perhaps if you do a swish-and-swallow with vodka following your coffee it would help mitigate the staining :-*[/quote]

Love your outlook, does red wine stain? I could give up red wine but NEVER coffee!!!!!

[ajs604]

I dont know what you people are worried about lol , just because you have braces you cannot give up everything you love!

I drink 1-2 tea's a day. So far so good, no staining. If they do stain so be it. I am already restricted to what I can eat so am not gong to give up my beloved tea, neither should you.

[WendySue1969]

Completely agree with the above post. I have 1-2 teas a day, and I drink through a straw. I find drinking all liquids easier that way, always dribbling if I don't. I have clear brackets on the top but have always had ligs that are light grey ( I forget what they are called). Never really notice any staining with them.

[GypsyCruiser]

I will be getting my ceramic braces in a few months.....so much great info on this board.

I am a tea drinker.....I love tea....hot and cold. Now I am wondering if I should start weaning myself off tea or maybe drink weak tea through a straw.

I have already given up soft drinks I now drink water mostly and iced tea with no lemon with dinner only.

And now I see I have to think foods too.

I had no idea getting braces was so involved. Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.