While you’re on your way to straight teeth and a bright smile with your Invisalign aligners, the journey can sometimes be a little painful.
Despite the Invisalign treatment being relatively pain free, a study reported that up to 54% of users feel mild pain while wearing their aligners.
What sort of pain can you encounter with Invisalign, and why?
You may feel discomfort in your mouth for two main reasons once you start using Invisalign:
- It applies pressure on your teeth
- It may irritate your soft tissue
While the first reason is actually the good kind, and usually indicates that your aligners are working, the second kind may be due to sharp aligner edges, and may require you to contact your dentist.
However, if you need extra help to get you through the pain, follow these tips:
Wait A Few Days
Your teeth sometimes need 2 to 3 days to get used to the constant pressure being applied on them.
So, before you resort to any pain alleviation methods, just wait for a few days, and chances are that it will go away on its own.
Avoid Crunchy Foods
While an important feature of aligners is that they allow you to eat anything you want, you should try to avoid crunchy foods like ice that require excessive chewing.
Your teeth are already under pressure for 22 hours a day, trying to get in shape – hence, adding the stress of hard-to-bite foods can cause unnecessary pain.
Use Cold Compress Outside The Mouth
If the pain is hard to adjust to, use a cold compress and press it over your mouth. This will help numb your jaw and mouth, and ease some of the pain you have been feeling.
Repeat this any number of times during the day, until you’ve adjusted to your new Invisalign aligners.
Use Orthodontic Wax
If the corners of your aligners seem to always irritate your gums, cheeks or tongue no matter how many times you’ve had them re-fitted, then it may be time to invest in orthodontic wax.
Just apply a little of orthodontic wax on any part of the aligner that you find uncomfortable, and there’s a good chance that it will prevent it from irritating your soft tissue further.
If the problem still continues, get in touch with us for a comprehensive consultation.
Bite On Invisalign Chewies
The pain you are experiencing could just be because your mouth is adjusting to the change. Biting down on Invisalign chewies can help you work out some of pain, and allow you to get used to your aligners quickly.
These chewies also help ensure that the aligners fit tightly on your teeth, and eliminate any discomfort that may be originating due to a poor fit.
You can easily get chewies from our dentists. Just set up an appointment and discuss the fit of your aligner, and how it needs to be dealt with.
Use Aligner Retriever Tools
Sometimes, the only discomfort you feel is when you take your aligner off or put it on. While you may eventually get the hang of this process, you can avoid the pain by simply investing in aligner retriever tools.
These tools are usually made of surgical steel, and are very easy to clean – in fact, you can easily slip your aligners in and out of your mouth with minimal pain and discomfort.
Consult our dentists if the pain persists every time you change your aligner; we can help you manage it better.
Time It Right
The best time to put a new aligner in, is right before going to bed at night. This way, you will sleep through the first few hours of discomfort.
It will also give your aligners more time to sit on your teeth before you need to take them out for food, or for brushing your teeth.
Use Over The Counter Pain Relief
While this should be your very last resort, if you simply cannot bear the pain then this might be an option for you.
Consult our dentists for safe over the counter pain relief options, and even get a prescription.
Over-the-counter pain relievers are non-steroidal inflammatory drugs that are safe to use as long as you stick to the correct dosage. They can help alleviate any pain or discomfort that may be caused by your new aligners.
Compared to traditional metal braces which have uncomfortable material and apply more pressure than Invisalign (which is specifically structured for your teeth), the discomfort caused by aligners is bearable, and at times, barely noticeable.
The tips we’ve provided will help you easily navigate the slight discomfort to a better looking smile, but this does not mean that the pain will go away completely.
Like we said, the pressure you feel on your teeth is a sign that your aligners are doing their job. This constant pressure, 20 plus hours a day is what helps straighten your teeth, so don’t let a little discomfort stand in the way of a bright and straight smile! Contact us now for a consultation and start your journey to the perfect smile.