{"id":467,"date":"2019-04-09T21:05:28","date_gmt":"2019-04-09T21:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinerundental.com\/blog\/?p=467"},"modified":"2019-05-09T21:05:39","modified_gmt":"2019-05-09T21:05:39","slug":"5-ways-alleviate-invisalign-discomfort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinerundental.com\/blog\/5-ways-alleviate-invisalign-discomfort\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Alleviate Invisalign Discomfort"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You\u2019re finally doing it! You\u2019re going to straighten your teeth, and what\u2019s more, you\u2019ve chosen to do it with Invisalign<\/a>\u2014a proven, discreet, and efficient solution. During this treatment, you\u2019ll get to continue eating your favorite foods, easily maintain your oral care, and achieve the final results much faster than with traditional braces. Invisalign seems like the perfect answer, but before you start, you should be aware that you could experience some discomfort, especially at first. After all, your teeth and gums aren\u2019t used to having aligners on them, and these trays do apply force, albeit gentle, to your teeth to guide them into a new position. Here are five tips to help you alleviate your discomfort and stay on track for your straightening treatment.<\/p>\n

Resist the Urge to Take Them Out<\/h2>\n

When something bothers you, your first instinct is to remove it. But in the case of Invisalign, your clear aligners need to be in place for between 20 and 22 hours every day to be effective. Taking them out more frequently or for prolonged periods of time will only extend or complicate your treatment. To fight the inclination to remove them because of discomfort, think about how amazing the final results will look.<\/p>\n

Give It Time<\/h2>\n

Just like with a new pair of shoes, you just need a little bit of time to become accustomed to how your trays feel. Although the feeling of plastic on your teeth may feel strange initially for your gums and tongue, you\u2019ll eventually get used to it. Also, as you switch to a new set of trays, you can have some mild soreness, but it should go away within a couple of days. Be patient when this happens, knowing that it won\u2019t last forever.<\/p>\n

Take Painkillers<\/h2>\n

If you need some extra help making it through those rough transition days, you can take mild painkillers, especially those that help with the minor inflammation or irritation that can happen in the first few days of switching to the next set of aligners.<\/p>\n

Eat Soft Foods<\/h2>\n

When your teeth feel sore, you can reduce the pressure they endure by choosing to eat softer foods during those transition days. This doesn\u2019t mean that you have to be a on a liquid diet, but you can avoid chips or crunchy foods for a couple of days to make it a little easier on yourself.<\/p>\n

Talk to Your Dentist<\/h2>\n

If your Invisalign aligners actually cause you pain because of sharp or rough edges on your aligners, then something is amiss with the tray. Contact your dentist right away, for example, if your tongue is cut by an edge of one of your trays. They can resolve the problem and make them feel more comfortable.<\/p>\n

In the end, your straight teeth will worth the time and effort you invest in Invisalign treatment. Within 18 months\u2014before you know it\u2014you can achieve the results and rewards you\u2019re looking for. By following these tips, you can bring yourself the relief you need and make treatment easier along the way. For more tips on how to handle discomfort, contact your dentist.<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n

Dr. Gary Henkel<\/a> has almost 40 years of experience in the dental field. Over the course of his career, he has earned his mastership from the Academy of General Dentistry and has participated in over 2,500 hours of continuing education. Every year, he adds 100 hours to that total. In addition to his national and international lecturing engagements, he was involved with developing the iTero digital scanning system, which he uses in Invisalign treatment. To schedule an appointment with him, call or click here<\/a>.
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