Invisalign aligners are one of the most preferred teeth straightening orthodontic treatment today. The different types of bites that Invisalign treatment can fix include overbite, underbite, gapped teeth, open bite, crowding, and crossbite. These aligners need minimum adjustments as compared to other traditional treatments such as metal braces. They also offer maximum comfort. However, sometimes, some people may experience slight soreness, discomfort or pain until their mouths get used to the aligners.
If you too are new to these aligners and are experiencing Invisalign pain & discomfort, try these solutions.
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Cold Compress
In case of mild discomfort or pain due to Invisalign aligners, a simple cold compress can be very helpful. Wrap an ice pack with a cloth and place it on the affected area for no more than ten minutes at a stretch. Repeat this two to three times a day until the pain subsides.
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Orthodontic Wax
Invisalign aligners are smooth trays and hence are generally very comfortable to wear. However, sometimes people may experience slight soreness due to any rough aligner edges, attachments or buttons attached by the dentist. You can apply orthodontic wax on the problem-causing area of the aligner or the attachments. In case the pain is due to the rough edges of your aligners, ask your dentist to smooth them out.
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Over-the-counter Pain Relief Medications
You can even take over-the-counter pain relief medications such as Orajel ointment, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen. The ointment can be applied directly to the teeth, gums, and other affected areas by following the application instructions.
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Aligner Retrieval Tools
Generally, these aligners can cause pain when you either wear them or remove them. Aligner tools make the process of wearing and removing these aligners a lot easier. These tools also ensure that the aligners are positioned perfectly which eliminates discomfort or pain. Choose the tools made from surgical stainless steel as they are easy to maintain and last longer.
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Soft Foods Diet
It is best to avoid crunchy, chewy or hard foods at least for the first couple of days when you change your Invisalign aligners. Soft and cool foods such as pasta, yogurt, rice, smoothies, pudding, applesauce, etc., are ideal.
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Do Not Remove Your Aligners
Even though Invisalign aligners offer the conveniencof removing them at will, they should be worn for at least 22 hours every day to give effective results. If you keep removing them your treatment time will extend. Also, if you remove them frequently, they become tighter when you re-insert them. This often causes discomfort and pain. The longer you wear them, the more your mouth gets used to them. This also helps reduce the chances of pain or discomfort greatly.
Even after trying the above-described solutions, if you still experience persistent pain due to your Invisalign aligners, it’s advisable to consult a dentist immediately.
If you have any more queries regarding Invisalign treatment or Invisalign pain relief, we at Coral Dental Care are always happy to help. Schedule a consultation today.
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health,recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.