Orthodontist Anaheim Hills

At The Hills Orthodontics, we care about every aspect of your oral health, including the impact your favorite drinks can have on your teeth. While it’s common knowledge that beverages like soda and alcohol can affect your body, many people are unaware of how these drinks can impact their smiles—especially for those with orthodontic appliances such as braces or Invisalign®. If you’re searching for an orthodontist in Anaheim Hills, our team is here to help you maintain a healthy smile throughout your treatment.

Below is a list of common beverages and how to enjoy them responsibly without compromising your oral health.

Soda, Juice, and Energy Drinks

These popular beverages are loaded with sugar, which contributes to tooth decay by feeding bacteria that produce acid. Prolonged exposure to sugar softens enamel, making it easier for cavities to form. Acidic energy drinks are especially harmful, as they erode enamel even more quickly. If you’re wearing braces or clear aligners, sugary beverages can sneak into hard-to-reach areas and cause plaque buildup, so it’s important to limit consumption.

Tip:

• Drink through a straw to reduce contact with your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth with water afterward to wash away any remaining sugar or acid.

Coffee

Whether you enjoy your coffee black or sweetened, it can negatively impact your teeth. Coffee is notorious for staining teeth, especially over time. For orthodontic patients with aligners, wearing your trays immediately after consuming coffee can lock in stains and acids.

Tip:

• Rinse your mouth with water before placing your aligners back in.
• Use a whitening toothpaste, but avoid over-brushing after drinking coffee, as this could weaken enamel.

Wine, Beer, and Liquor

It’s not just red wine that can stain your teeth—all types of wine can impact your enamel. Both red and white wines contain acid that softens enamel, and darker beers can gradually stain teeth. While straight liquor may be less harmful, the mixers often paired with it—like soda or juice—introduce acids and sugars that can lead to enamel damage and decay.

Tip:

• Drink water between alcoholic beverages to minimize the staining and acid exposure.
• Avoid brushing immediately after drinking wine or beer; instead, wait at least 30 minutes to allow enamel to re-harden.

How to Protect Your Teeth

Your first instinct after drinking a sugary or acidic beverage might be to brush your teeth immediately, but doing so could do more harm than good. Acids soften your enamel temporarily, and brushing right away can wear it down further. Instead, follow these steps to protect your smile:

1. Rinse with water right after drinking to wash away sugars and acids.
2. Wait 30 minutes before brushing to allow enamel to re-harden.
3. Maintain a regular oral care routine that includes brushing, flossing, and using a fluoride rinse.

Keep Your Smile Healthy During Orthodontic Treatment

Watching what you drink benefits not just your teeth but your overall health. For orthodontic patients, it’s especially important to take extra care of your teeth and appliances to avoid plaque buildup and discoloration. Moderate consumption of these beverages won’t harm your smile as long as you practice good oral hygiene and schedule regular cleanings.

Looking for an experienced orthodontist in Anaheim Hills to help you maintain a healthy smile during and after treatment? The Hills Orthodontics is here to support you every step of the way.

Contact us today to schedule your next appointment and keep your teeth strong, healthy, and beautiful—no matter what’s in your glass!