Who doesn’t want a beautiful smile? Everyone struggles with building their confidence and self-esteem when they know they have crooked or overcrowded teeth. And people often choose traditional braces to fix their teeth; however, there are other alternative treatments, one of which is Invisalign braces. Invisalign is also an effective treatment for achieving straight teeth, and unlike metal braces, it’s almost unnoticeable.
Still, people wonder how terrible the Invisalign pain would be. Learn more about these invisible braces: Is this painful? How should I deal with the pain? Read more below to understand what you should expect after getting this orthodontic treatment.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners rather than metal braces to straighten teeth. Invisalign is a series of custom-made, clear braces covering your teeth and gradually realigning them. They are less apparent than typical metal braces due to their transparency and ability to remove and replace.
Invisalign could be an alternative to braces if you want an unnoticeable and comfortable treatment experience.
Needing an orthodontic appointment?
Visit Kumra Orthodontics Washington, DC or Kumra Orthodontics Stafford, VA, and request an appointment with us!
Invisalign and Pain
Initially, you may experience mild discomfort due to the device’s gentle teeth-straightening function. You can experience the likelihood of pain in the tongue, jaw, and teeth. Pain should be manageable, but it should not be so bad that it affects your everyday routine. If you notice any of the following symptoms:
- cold or hot sensitivity
- bleeding teeth or gums
- facial swelling
- pain when drinking, eating, or swallowing
It would be best to schedule a dental appointment immediately. Fortunately, the pain you will experience from Invisalign is a lot less than getting traditional metal braces. Keep in mind that the aligners are repositioning your teeth. If you’re experiencing any discomfort or slight pain, it may simply be because your teeth are adjusting to their new position.
Invisalign and Pain: During the First Week
The pain you experience during your first week with Invisalign (such as jaw pain, tooth pain, or tongue pain) is temporary. Most of the time, it would only occur during the first week of the treatment. There’s only a mild potential for pain. However, if you have low pain tolerance, sensitive teeth, and sensitive gums or gingivitis, you’re more likely to experience it.
Invisalign and Pain: How long would it last?
When a fresh set of Invisalign aligners is applied, patients may experience some discomfort for a few days. As a result of patients wearing a new Invisalign aligner every two weeks, you might expect some discomfort. You’ll gradually become used to the new aligners, and the pain will fade away.
It would be best to wear your aligners as frequently as possible, as it is one of the best ways to alleviate pain.
Reducing Invisalign Pain
When people initially begin wearing Invisalign and switch to a new aligner tray, they are more likely to suffer pain. Are you feeling a little pain due to your Invisalign treatment? Here are some ways you can lessen the discomfort!
Icepack, cold compress, or bag of peas
Apply a cold compress or ice pack for ten minutes at a time, as needed. Avoid placing it directly on your skin. In place of it, you should use a piece of cloth or towel to wrap up the ice cubes—as many times as necessary during the day.
Suck on ice cubes
You can alleviate Invisalign pain by sucking on ice cubes, which can numb the area in pain. The ice cubes should not be chewed, but they should be sucked on rather than swallowed. If you’re wearing Invisalign, your teeth may become sensitive to hard foods, making it painful to chew on things like ice. Moreover, there’s no need for you to remove your aligners when you do this.
Drink cold water
Using a cold compress is comparable to how this approach works. Coldwater can assist in numbing the region where you’re hurting. You don’t have to remove your aligners to take a drink of water.
Avoid hard or crunchy foods
You must avoid eating foods that are hard, like nuts or crackers. These foods can be painful to chew. Make sure to eat more soft foods!
Use over the counter painkillers
You can avoid Invisalign pain by taking over-the-counter painkillers before changing your aligners if you frequently encounter them. Use over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen. However, make sure to follow its directions for use and recommended dosage.
Use Orajel
Orajel is a topical pain killer you can apply directly to the area in your gums or teeth where you experience pain. Just a reminder: before using this for pain relief, make sure to remove your aligners first!
Avoid removing your aligners too frequently.
Leaving your aligners out for an extended period might cause your teeth to re-adjust, making them fit more snugly when you put them back in. This might cause Invisalign pain as your teeth adjust to the aligners.
Make sure to wear your Invisalign for 22 hours and take them out only during meals, brushing routine, or drinking.
Related: How to Easily Remove Invisalign in 6 Ways
Rinse mouth with saltwater
Some people experience mouth sores due to Invisalign, and if this happens, make sure to rinse your mouth with salt water to clean the sore.
Contact Kumra Orthodontics to know more about Invisalign
To achieve the healthier smile of your dreams, Invisalign can be an excellent alternative to braces. Everyone prefers it over braces since it is so simple to use. And if you wonder if Invisalign attachments hurt, contact Kumra Orthodontics to know more about it!
