Can You Drink Alcohol With Retainers? Dos, Don’ts, and Safe Practices

Let’s start with a simple truth: after spending months (or even years) wearing braces, obsessively brushing your teeth, avoiding popcorn like it was poison, and finally being handed your shiny new retainer—your smile is now your badge of honor. So naturally, you want to protect it. But what happens when a night out calls for a toast, and you’re still wearing that retainer? Can you drink alcohol with it in, or are you asking for trouble?

The short answer: it’s complicated. The long answer? Let’s break it down, section by section, to help you keep your teeth (and your social life) intact.

Retainer 101: Your Smile’s Silent Guardian

Retainers are the unsung heroes of orthodontic treatment. After braces or aligners have done their job, the retainer steps in to keep your teeth from wandering back to their original positions. There are a few kinds—like the clear retainer (Essix), bonded retainer (which is fixed behind your teeth), and the classic Hawley. Regardless of type, they all share one mission: hold the line.

Now, while they’re good at keeping your smile in place, retainers are a little needy. They like to be clean, cared for, and not soaked in things like wine, soda, or, yes—alcohol.

Braces Are Gone, But the Rules Still Matter

People with braces often get used to a strict eating and drinking routine, steering clear of sticky, sugary, and staining foods. Unfortunately, the party doesn’t stop once the braces come off. That retainer in your mouth still means you have to think twice before drinking anything but water.

Even if you’ve graduated from brackets and wires, your retainer can be affected by the same issues—things like poor oral hygiene, plaque buildup, and enamel damage. Wearing your retainer while sipping sugary drinks or alcohol? It’s like inviting bacteria to hang out in every little nook and cranny between your teeth and the retainer.

Aligners and Retainers: A Sticky Situation

If you’ve used Invisalign or other clear aligners, you’re probably already familiar with the “remove before eating or drinking anything but water” rule. That same logic applies to your clear retainer. Drinking anything besides plain water while wearing aligners or retainers can lead to staining, warping, and a fast track to tooth decay.

The sugar and acid content in alcohol doesn’t just cling to the surface—it gets trapped between your teeth and the retainer. That trapped liquid can quickly turn into a party for bacteria, leading to plaque buildup and even cavities. If you must drink something other than water, take your retainer out first.

Drinking Alcohol: Is It Safe With Retainers?

Let’s get real. You’re probably not going to sit out every happy hour forever. So, is it safe to drink alcohol with your retainer in? Technically, you can. But should you? Not really.

Here’s why:

• Acidic drinks like wine, beer, and cocktails can erode your tooth enamel.

• Sugary mixers in drinks like rum and Coke increase the risk of tooth decay.

• Staining drinks, especially red wine, can stain your teeth and your clear retainer.

• Alcohol also dries out your mouth, reducing the saliva needed to help wash away food particles and bacteria.

If you're wearing a removable retainer, the best practice is to take it out before drinking alcohol. Then, rinse your mouth with water, brush your teeth (if possible), and clean your retainer before putting it back in. Drinking alcohol with the retainer in can make it harder to clean, and worse, it may absorb smells or taste over time.

Removable Retainers: The Pros, the Cons, the Don’ts

The beauty of a removable retainer is right there in the name—you can take it out. So do it. Remove your retainer before consuming alcohol, sports drinks, or anything with sugar or acid. And absolutely never leave a retainer sitting in a napkin on the bar table. That's how they get lost (or worse, thrown out).

If you’re in a social setting and must drink something, make sure to:

Learn more about how to care for dental appliances properly.

• Take your retainer out discreetly.

• Rinse your mouth with water before and after.

• Avoid drinks that stain your teeth—like red wine or dark liquors.

• Keep a small case in your bag or pocket for storage.

Oral Hygiene: Where It All Comes Together

Good oral hygiene isn’t just about brushing your teeth twice a day. If you’re wearing retainers, especially clear ones, you’ve got to clean your retainer regularly too. Here’s how to keep both your teeth and the retainer in top shape:

A general dental check-up can help reinforce these habits too.

• Brush your teeth after eating and before putting your retainer back in.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

• Rinse the retainer with lukewarm water—not hot.

• Clean your retainer with a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner.

• Don’t forget to floss—food particles between teeth can spell trouble.

Neglecting these steps can lead to plaque buildup, bad breath, and even permanent damage to your retainer.

Aligners or Retainers: Alcohol Doesn’t Play Nice

Whether you’re using Invisalign, Essix retainers, or another type of clear aligner, drinking alcohol while wearing them is a no-go. These materials are porous and can absorb colors and flavors. Even worse, alcohol’s acidity can warp the plastic, meaning your aligners or retainers won’t fit properly—which defeats the whole purpose.

Quick tip: if you’re planning to drink something at a party or dinner, stick to drinking water while wearing aligners. Then remove them before consuming anything else. Drinking with a straw can help reduce the contact between acidic beverages and your teeth, but it’s still best to avoid drinking anything but water while wearing your aligner.

Oral Health Isn’t a One-Time Job

Wearing retainers is a long-term commitment, not a one-and-done deal. Your orthodontic treatment might be over, but maintaining excellent oral hygiene is a daily promise to your teeth and gums.

Drinks can get trapped under your retainer, especially sugary ones, leading to decay. That’s why drinking anything but water while wearing your retainer is risky. You might not see the damage right away, but your enamel could be suffering. And once that protective layer is worn down, it doesn’t grow back.

Want to help prevent future problems? Clean your teeth regularly, avoid drinking with your retainer in, and limit your alcohol intake—not just for your smile, but for your overall health too.

Wearing Retainers: Practice Makes Perfect

Still adjusting to life post-braces? Here’s the deal: wearing retainers is your ticket to keeping your teeth looking their best. But that only works if you’re not sabotaging your progress by sipping on acidic drinks with them in your mouth.

If you’re wearing retainers consistently but not cleaning them properly or drinking the wrong things, you’re setting yourself up for dental problems you didn’t sign up for.

Schedule a Consultation: When in Doubt, Ask a Pro

Not sure if you’re cleaning your retainer the right way? Wondering if that one drink really caused damage? Schedule a consultation with your orthodontist. They’ve seen it all—from retainers warped by hot water to stained ones that look like a teabag sat in them.

Your orthodontist can check the fit, make adjustments if needed, and give you tailored advice on wear and care. That includes whether your bonded retainer needs repair, how often you should replace your Essix retainer, or how to maintain oral hygiene while enjoying life’s little indulgences (yes, including a drink here and there). You can also learn more about denture adjustments and repairs to maintain the fit of your appliance.

Final Sip

So, can you drink alcohol with a retainer in? You can, but you shouldn’t. The safest route is to remove your retainer, rinse your mouth, and enjoy your drink responsibly. Then brush, clean your retainer, and put them back where they belong. That’s how you protect your enamel, avoid tooth decay, and keep your retainer (and your smile) looking sharp.

Cheers—to smart choices, clean retainers, and never losing your smile over a cocktail.