Managing Discomfort During Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign® is a popular alternative to straightening teeth with traditional braces. It allows patients to improve the alignment of their teeth without ruining the appearance of their smile with a bunch of metal brackets and wires.

These removable plastic aligner trays can be used to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues like crooked, crowded, abnormally spaced, or misaligned teeth. Invisalign aligners can be used to treat most alignment irregularities caused by abnormal spacing of teeth.

Clear aligners are a considerably more comfortable alternative to traditional braces, but patients should expect to deal with some discomfort, particularly during the first few weeks of their treatment, as their teeth and gums adjust to having plastic trays on them for most of the day.

Simple ways to manage discomfort during Invisalign treatment

The most common times clear aligner users complain about discomfort is at the start of their treatment or right after switching aligner trays. Invisalign treatments involve wearing pairs of aligner trays for two consecutive weeks and switching them out with another pair. These pairs push teeth as far as they can before another set takes over from where they left off.

Starting Invisalign treatment or swapping out trays puts pressure on teeth as they slowly move to a new position. Some people experience discomfort only for a few days after starting their treatments, while it comes and goes for others throughout their treatment. Some of the things patients can do to manage pain and discomfort during teeth straightening treatments that involve the use of clear aligners include:

1. Minimize inflammation with a cold compress

Placing something cold next to the cheeks helps to reduce inflammation caused by clear aligners putting pressure on teeth. An ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables works well for this purpose. Wrap the bad with a clean cloth to avoid placing ice directly on your skin, and take a break after 15 minutes.

2. Drink cold water

This performs the same function as a cold compress since cold water helps to numb any soreness in the mouth and reduces inflammation. It is also more convenient than applying ice packs for 15-minute periods. Throw some ice in a bottle of cold water and drink some whenever the discomfort becomes overwhelming. Patients can also suck on ice cubes to reduce inflammation in the mouth, but they should avoid biting down on them since that can damage teeth structures.

3. Use topical pain relievers

There are various brands of over-the-counter topical pain reliever gels that can be used to numb teeth and gums to manage discomfort during Invisalign treatment. These products should be used before aligners are inserted for optimal results.

4. Use OTC pain medication

Over-the-counter painkillers can help to prevent and reduce any pain caused by wearing clear aligners. Patients who experience discomfort whenever they swap out aligners can preemptively use this to manage discomfort. They should follow all dosage guidelines from the drug’s manufacturer.