If you're starting your Invisalign journey, you might be wondering if there will be any discomfort once you start and how you can ease it. Our CCOA team is here with tips and tricks that you can employ.
How Bad Does Invisalign Hurt?
Clear aligners are made from smooth plastic, so there won’t be any brackets or wires irritating the inside of your lips or cheeks. Each aligner is made to precisely fit your mouth and teeth while applying gentle pressure to move the teeth in small increments. Unlike traditional braces, you won’t focus on the discomfort of wires and brackets pulling your teeth. Instead, Invisalign applies continual pressure, so there’s minimal pain.
At the onset of treatment and when switching to a new set of trays you might feel a little bit of soreness while your mouth adjusts to the trays. This soreness should go away within a few days. Generally, the most prevalent complaint is discomfort while chewing.
How To Ease Your Discomfort From Invisalign
Here are 6 tips to help ease any pain or discomfort you might feel when starting Invisalign or when you switch to your new trays.
1. Use An Icepack or Cold Compress
Putting something cold against your sore mouth will help reduce swelling and numb the sore area. By reducing swelling, you can help minimize some of the pain.
Use the cold compress, icepack, or even a bag of frozen veggies for up to ten minutes at a time. Remember not to put it directly against your skin. Instead, you should wrap the ice in a piece of cloth or towel. You can repeat this several times throughout the day.
2. Avoid Eating Hard Foods or Candies
You never want to have anything except water while wearing your aligners. Although you won’t have dietary restrictions, consider eating softer foods during the few days after starting or switching to a new set of aligners to reduce pain when chewing.
3. Try Over-The-Counter Pain Medication
You can always use ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, or other over-the-counter painkillers to help with Invisalign pain. Follow the directions for use and recommended dosage as listed on the medication's instructions.
If you commonly experience Invisalign pain after changing your aligners, you can take an over-the-counter painkiller prior to changing the aligner to help prevent the pain from happening at all.
4. Use Orajel
Orajel is a topical pain reliever that can be applied directly to your teeth and gums in the event of soreness or pain. It will temporarily numb the area. Make sure to take out your aligners so you can apply the Orajel directly to the painful area.
5. Switch To New Aligners Before Bed
When it is time to start new aligners, insert them a few hours before bed instead of in the morning. This will give your teeth time to become accustomed to their new position while you sleep. It can help alleviate Invisalign pain because you will sleep through the initial adjustment period and because you aren’t taking the aligners in and out to eat.
6. Rinse Your Mouth With Saltwater
A warm salt and water mixture can ease sore gums and decrease swelling. Mix half a teaspoon of table salt with a glass of warm water to rinse.