Remember when you bought your favorite soft t-shirt years ago and it had that annoying tag you decided to tear out? Those awesome walking shoes you have really weren’t that comfortable until you’d worn them a dozen times. Sometimes it just takes building some familiarity with an item for it to shift from feeling weird to feeling normal. If you are experiencing Invisalign discomfort in the early days of wearing your clear aligners, fear not because your dentist in Williamstown offers many tips to help you seek relief!
Why Would My Invisalign Feel Uncomfortable?
It’s not strange you would feel some soreness with your Invisalign trays. This is true for all types of teeth alignment because they are being gradually guided into entirely new positions. Pressure is being put on your teeth, which triggers your jawbone tissue to start breaking down to clear a path for your teeth to shift. However, this can end up irritating the thin, sensitive ligaments around the teeth, as well as the nerves within them.
This process is controlled and safe, but it can still make your mouth feel quite tender. The pain should not be unbearable; it should be more like a tightness or a dull ache. If it is much worse, you should contact your dentist. The good news is most normal discomfort should get better within a day or two of putting in a new Invisalign tray.
What Tips Can Help Ease Your Mouth’s Discomfort from Invisalign?
When you are facing normal Invisalign soreness, there are many routes to take for relief:
- A cold compress is an excellent way to soothe the swollen and sore tissues in your mouth.
- Take whatever pain medication you would normally take for a headache. It’s most effective one hour before switching trays, but don’t depend on medication for every switch.
- Swish with warm salt water since it helps reduce inflammation and soothe irritated tissues.
- Drink or eat cold items like ice cream or popsicles.
- Roll a tiny ball of orthodontic wax and mold it to cover an irritating orthodontic button or attachment.
- Make your aligner switch right before bedtime. Hopefully, you’ll be asleep during those most sensitive hours.
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods when your mouth is already sore.
- Use Invisalign Chewies, which are soft, spongy chewing devices that can help your new aligners fit more snugly on your teeth.
- Ask your dentist to soften sharp or rough aligner edges.
- Maintain regular dental checkups, which can detect problems that may contribute to your pain.
- Exercise your mouth to encourage the movement of your teeth by munching on fresh veggies or sugar-free chewing gum.
Invisalign discomfort is normal but temporary, and there are many ways to get relief. If some of these methods don’t work for you, be sure to discuss them with your dentist in Williamstown.
About the Author
Dr. Wael Kassem earned his dental doctorate from Temple University. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. If you are interested in Invisalign, treatment usually takes 8-18 months instead of 18-36 months with traditional braces, plus Dr. Kassem offers affordable financing options. You can schedule an orthodontic consultation on his website or by calling (856) 818-9998.
