Have you decided to get Invisalign treatment? If so, you have made a wise decision. Perhaps you are nervous about what to expect and whether you will experience pain. Keep in mind that both Invisalign and braces will require getting acclimated to wearing them. This is usually not in the category of pain but rather discomfort that can be managed with over-the-counter medications. There are also certain good practices that you can prepare to do to get you used to your new orthodontic appliances. The following points highlight a few things that you might experience and how to handle them. 

Discomfort

It might be tempting to remove the trays for temporary relief. However, the longer you wear the trays, the sooner your mouth can adjust to the trays. Orthodontists prescribe a schedule for wearing the trays. Navigating away from the prescribed wear time could prolong treatment time. Any discomfort will be related to your gums adjusting o the aligners pushing up against them. Some individuals have successfully minimized this uncomfortable feeling by applying dental wax around the edges of their aligners. Keep in mind that this discomfort is not excruciating pain and it should clear up in a matter of days.

Temporary Diet

You will be advised to remove your Invisalign aligners during meal times. You should aim to eat soft foods during your adjustment time. Cool foods such as popsicles, chilled fruit, and ice cream can also help to relieve discomfort. The cold sensation can produce a numbing effect. You do not have to eat a traditional soft food diet. Aim to minimize hard, crunchy, and chewy foods because they can cause further irritation. Pay attention to how your mouth feels when you chew. That will give you an idea of what you can and cannot eat during your adjustment period.

Unresponsive Pain Relief

It is very uncommon for an individual to experience severe pain from their aligners. Individuals have different pain thresholds. So, the phenomenon isn't impossible. This small demographic of individuals might need a stronger pain medication than over-the-counter options. Contact the prescribing dentist or orthodontist. They may be able to prescribe pain medication. It is important to contact your dental professional for this type of issue due to its rarity. They can inspect the aligners to ensure that there is no imperfection or damage that is causing the abnormal pain to occur.  A dentist or orthodontist is a good resource to use to learn more things about adjusting to new aligners. 

For more information on Invisalign, contact a professional near you.

Share