Invisalign Tips and Tricks for Surviving Your First Week

There’s no doubt about it that Invisalign is an excellent solution for helping restore your smile. We can’t recommend this option enough as far as convenience, and amazing results go. However, it’s also no secret that wearing Invisalign can take some getting used to. For those of you who are brand new to using the system, here are a few tips and tricks to help you survive those first few days after you pop them in.
 

Address the Pain

While Invisalign is more comfortable than traditional braces, they aren’t pain-free. After all, the aligners work by slowly moving teeth into the best position for your smile. This adjustment can be painful, especially at first. Not only can you take over-the-counter pain medication, but you may also want to do a few chewing exercises a few times per day. The movement increases blood flow and helps keep your jaws a little looser throughout the adjustment period.
 

Make Sure You Are Wearing Them Enough

The flexibility that comes with wearing removable aligners can be a bit of a blessing and a curse. You may forget to reinsert the aligners in the beginning simply because you aren’t used to wearing them. While this isn’t a big deal occasionally, you should make it a habit to wear the aligners 22 hours per day. You should only remove them for brushing and eating.
 

Keep the Trays Clean

It’s important to remember to keep your trays as clean as possible. Remember, the only way to ensure that the aligners remain virtually invisible is by not eating or drinking dark liquids while wearing them. Make sure that you’re appropriately rinsing and washing the trays to keep them looking their absolute best. While the trays are durable, it’s important that you do your part to help keep them in good shape.
 

Watch Out for Your Tongue

The edges of the aligners may poke your tongue and cheeks at first. To help reduce the irritation, use a small amount of dental wax along the rough edges. If you notice that this doesn’t help, then ask your orthodontist to file down the edges so that you have a more comfortable fit.
 

Create a Routine

The best thing you can do during those first few days and all of the days following is to create a routine that you can stick to. Make a habit of taking out your trays at appropriate times and then putting them right back in. Store your trays in the same spot and remember to clean them regularly.

Creating a routine will not only keep the trays in good condition, but it will also help your teeth get into proper alignment more quickly.
 

Ask Questions

If you should run into anything unusual or if you simply aren’t sure, don’t hesitate to reach out to your orthodontist. After all, this is the person that is there to help you throughout the process! Jot down your questions and ask them during your next appointment or call ahead if you need answers right away.
 

Overview

Ofir Orthodontics values each and every patient. We want to help you throughout all of your treatments and procedures, so you are as comfortable as possible and get the results that you hope for. If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign, or have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact our office today for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!