How to Drink Wine and Survive Invisalign With Your Sanity Intact
Guess who finished Invisalign and now has a straight smile and a tooth that’s not chipped anymore? This girl! As someone who works in wine and also just really loves sipping it, I got tons of questions about how I pulled off Invisalign without giving up my favorite drinks. So let’s talk about how to enjoy your wine and still get that perfect smile.
Stick to a Plan
Being disciplined sounds boring, but when you’ve got trays to wear and wine to taste, it’s a must. Invisalign wants you to keep your trays in for 20 to 22 hours a day. That’s tricky when you’re hopping from winery to winery or sipping slowly over dinner. If I knew I had a big tasting day coming up, I’d just wear that tray for an extra day before moving on. Easy fix, and it still kept my treatment on track. Pro tip: most orthodontists are cool with this if you give them a heads up.
Pack Like a Pro
My purse turned into a mini dental kit. Travel-sized mouthwash? Always. Water bottle? Of course. On big tasting days, a quick rinse between wineries helped keep my trays clean and my breath fresh. When I wasn’t doing back-to-back tastings, I’d bring a small toothbrush and toothpaste to sneak in a quick brush after wine. Red wine and clear trays are not friends, so this step is key.
Here’s what you really need on hand:
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Mouthwash (I like the ACT Alcohol-Free one)
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Floss
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Soft toothbrush
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Toothpaste (Crest 3D White Brilliance is my go-to)
Some people get fancy with whitening foams and denture cleaners. I mostly just stuck to a gentle scrub with toothpaste, and it worked just fine.
Own It
Taking your trays out in public feels weird at first. I thought everyone would be staring like I just pulled out a retainer from the 2000s. Turns out, no one cares. Most people have either done Invisalign themselves or know someone who has. Now that I wear retainers full time, I’m still brushing my teeth after lunch at work, and my coworkers are like, “Wow, you’re so dedicated.” That makes me feel pretty good. You paid to have a smile you love, so take care of it and don’t be shy about it.
Give Yourself Grace
I was not perfect. Not even close. Rubber bands were the bane of my existence and I definitely didn’t change them as often as I should have. But even with the hiccups, I don’t regret a thing. I still drank all the wine I wanted and ended up with a smile that makes me feel confident every single day.
So if you’re starting Invisalign and wondering how to make it work with your love of wine, just know it’s totally possible. You’ll be sipping smarter, smiling brighter, and maybe even inspiring someone else to start their own journey.
