Tips to Avoid Invisalign Irritation

Austin, TX – Beginning orthodontic treatment can be a bit intimidating, maybe even a bit scary. It’s often the fear of the unknown that gets the better of us. At Pure Smiles Orthodontics, we want all of our patients to be fully armed with what they need to know going in to their treatment. One big topic we talk about is pain and irritation.

Unfortunately, orthodontic treatment isn’t without a bit of discomfort – we are moving your teeth to completely new locations, after all. While there will be a small amount of irritation, here are some tips for our Invisalign users to help minimize that as much as possible.

It’s first important to know that while treatment may have been a breeze for your best friend, you may have a bit more discomfort, or vice versa. Everyone reacts to treatment differently, and everyone’s threshold for being uncomfortable is different. Chances are good, you’ll feel some pressure and tenderness during treatment , which is to be expected. You’ll notice this more when you move from one aligner to the other. But that is normal. For minor pain and discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Your Invisalign aligners are made of a smooth, clear plastic material that will be more comfortable than traditional brackets. However, you may find an aligner has an edge that feels slightly rough, so you’ll want to keep some orthodontic wax handy in case that happens. If you have an aligner that feels rough, let your orthodontist know so it can be corrected. Likewise, you may need buttons or attachments on your teeth to ensure your teeth move to their ideal locations. These can be a bit irritating at first, but orthodontic wax can help.

In the beginning, you may notice it can be uncomfortable to remove your aligners. It takes a bit of practice to remove them easily since they are designed to fit snugly over the teeth. Ask your orthodontist about aligner retriever tools that can help remove the aligners.

Invisalign chewies can help as you are switching your aligners in and out. Biting down on the chewie ensures a proper fit that will be more comfortable and efficient.

Additional tips include:

• When it’s time to switch to a new aligner set, make the switch at night. This will allow you to sleep through most of the discomfort.
• If your teeth are sore, stick to soft foods. While you don’t need to make changes to your diet to accommodate the aligners, you may find yourself needing to in order to let your mouth rest.
• Try cold compresses on the outside of your mouth to help relieve discomfort.
• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater or a peroxide-based mouthwash to help heal any minor irritations.
• Create a routine, and stick to it. This will help your mouth adjust as quickly as possible.

If you ever have any questions about your Invisalign treatment, or have discomfort that doesn’t go away quickly, call your orthodontist.