Here are some more Invisalign Tips to help you during your Invisalign treatment. Your aligners are designed to “fit” your teeth after the first few weeks of wear because this is the position in which your teeth need to move during this time period. Because of this, it is possible that you will experience some discomfort during the first few days of wearing them.
Here are some Invisalign Tips for when you first put in a new aligner:
- Make sure to wear them as much as possible ESPECIALLY during the first 48 hours.
- Try putting in your new aligner before you go to bed so that some of the discomfort can occur while you are sleeping.
- Do use OTC pain medications in moderation during the first 48 hours to help with the pain and pressure sensation.
- Try sucking on ice cubes (ONLY WHILE THE ALIGNERS ARE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH) to ease discomfort
- Use cold compresses on your cheeks
- Saliva production could increase during the first 2 to 3 days. To avoid dehydration or dry mouth, be sure and drink plenty of water. If saliva production is causing you problems when you sleep, try sleeping on your back or propping your head up on a pillow. This should resolve within just a few days as your mouth gets used to the “foreign object.”
- ALWAYS REMEMBER the end result and look forward to a beautiful smile! This should help keep you motivated to keep the aligners in for the full 22 hours per day and get through any pain or discomfort.
- When you first begin to use your aligners, you may talk with a slight lisp. Practice talking during this adjustment period; it even helps to repeat tongue twisters! The lisp should go away after a few days.
- Do not let Invisalign interfere with your love life! People have been kissing with traditional braces for years, and there is no reason to let your aligners get in between you and your partner. In fact, it’s likely that your partner won’t notice any difference whatsoever.
- Removal of your aligners may take some getting used to. It is harder to remove them if you have “buttons” or other attachments on your teeth. Amazon sells a tool called an “Outie” that can aid in removal.
- If you are noticing any roughness on the aligner, dental wax can help to avoid irritation. You can also speak with your dentist about filing these areas down to make them smoother.
Exercising consistent and mindful oral hygiene is of extreme importance when wearing your aligners. Bacteria and plaque can stick to your teeth for hours at a time which can cause cavities, gum disease, and other health problems. Here are some Invisalign Tips to help with that:
- REMOVE YOUR ALIGNERS BEFORE YOU CONSUME ANY FOODS OR LIQUIDS OTHER THAN WATER. Hot liquids can cause aligners to warp or distort. Any colored liquid can also stain the plastic which could cause your clear, invisible aligners to change color. Also, foods and liquids can cause your aligner to take on odors.
- Always brush your teeth and rinse your mouth well after drinking any liquids other than water. This will prevent any sugar or stain residue on teeth from becoming trapped under the aligner once it is reinserted.
- After eating, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly and floss each time. If brushing and flossing is not possible, rinse your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouthwash and warm water.
- Do NOT chew gum when aligners are in your mouth so as not to damage them.
- It is okay to use a whitening toothpaste, however, do not use other teeth whitening products throughout the duration of your Invisalign treatment. These whitening treatments can leave debris or particles behind which can bind to teeth once aligners are reinserted and create permanent white marks on the teeth.
In addition to practicing good oral hygiene habits, it is equally as important to keep your Invisalign aligners sparkling clean.
- Always rinse and soak your aligners when not in your mouth and do not leave them out, exposed to air.
- You can soak them in denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals and water.
- Always clean your aligners with cool water and CLEAR anti-bacterial soap. Colored soaps contain dyes which may cause the aligners to take on the color of the soap.
- If using a toothbrush to clean your aligners, do so cautiously, and use a very gentle brush with a light touch. Otherwise, the toothbrush can scratch them and leave visible etchings.
Overall, Invisalign does take some getting used to and requires a few lifestyle changes. Hopefully these Invisalign Tips will help. Oral hygiene takes a little discipline, but it also establishes good habits that you can continue after you are no longer using aligners that will provide a lifetime of good health. And keep your eye on the prize; a beautiful smile and gorgeous teeth! Is it worth it?? Absolutely!!
