How To Make Invisalign More Comfortable

This time, we’re looking at how to make Invisalign more comfortable. Fortunately, the thin aligners are very thin and precisely fit your unique set of teeth. Thus, Invisalign tends to be comfortable. However, there will be an adjustement period. To help, we’ll look at some easy, common sense Invisalign “hacks.” 

With these tips, you can enjoy a better experience as your teeth gradually move and you have a perfect smile.

Let Your Teeth Adjust While You Dream

As you may know, Invisalign is a series of aligners worn for around a couple of weeks. After you wear them for two weeks, it’s time to move to the next set. Overall, you may wear between 18 and 30 sets of aligners. Fortunately, this means treatment is more comfortable as your teeth move very slowly.

When it’s time to switch to the new aligners in the series, there will be an adjustment. Generally, this is true when you’re first starting, but it gets easier over time.

Therefore, you may experience some discomfort at first, which is normal. However, one hack that can help is switching to your new set at night before going to bed. Also, you may want to take over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Advil to ease any discomfort and help you sleep.

Thus, you can rest comfortably while your teeth adjust to your new aligners. 

Limit or Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks

While undergoing orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or braces, it’s essential to maintain a clean, healthy smile. By doing so, you can avoid tooth decay and have a more comfortable, faster treatment.

Therefore, you may want to avoid sugary, sticky, hard, chewy, or crunchy drinks and foods. Also, be sure to protect your aligners from hot liquids that could warp them. Plus, it’s a good idea to avoid foods that stain the clear SmartTrack material. Thus, you can avoid having yellowish discolored aligners and enjoy a discreet treatment.

In our previous blog, we go over all of this in detail. 

Carry a Travel Toothbrush and a Case

One of the best things about Invisalign is you can take out the aligners. Consequently, you can eat more of your favorite foods. Plus, you can clean your teeth much easier than with braces.

However, it’s important to maintain top oral health with frequent brushing. Also, you’ll need to keep the aligners clean without using abrasive cleaners. Before your treatment, we’ll discuss how to keep your aligners clean. By getting in the habit, you can avoid bad breathe and keep your aligners feeling more comfortable.

Fortunately, it’s easy to carry a travel toothbrush with you. After any meal, snack, or drink other than water, it’s a good idea to brush before putting your aligners back in. In the meantime, keep your aligners in a case to keep them free of bacteria. Each time, put your case where you’ll remember it, so you don’t leave it behind.

See some tips about maintaining Invisalign during the holidays or anytime below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 🦷Orthodontic Excellence (@orthodontic.excellence)

Filing Down Sharp Edges

When you first begin wearing Invisalign, the edges can irritate your sensitive gums. One easy tip is to file down the edges where they are causing discomfort. We suggest using an inexpensive and widely available Emery Board designed to file down fingernails. 

Notably, it won’t take much work to smooth down any sharp edges gently. 

Orthodontic Wax

Another cheap, widely available product you may want to purchase is orthodontic wax. Generally, people who wear braces are familiar with the wax. But it’s also great for Invisalign, and you might enjoy the mint flavor of some brands. As with braces, you’ll take a small amount of wax and press it where it feels irritated.

Thus, you can relieve the irritation to your gums. Like the travel toothbrush, orthodontic wax is easy to carry along. Since it’s clear, it won’t be noticeable. 

Topical Gel for Mouth Sores

In addition to over-the-counter Ibuprofen and Advil, a product for mouth sores like Canker-X gel provides non-prescription pain relief. The topical anesthetic can numb and protect your gums where it feels irritated. After application, the product creates a protective barrier and soothes the area. Thus, it works great while you adjust to your new aligners.

Avoiding Dry Mouth

Products designed to help you avoid a dry mouth can help while wearing aligners. By keeping your mouth moisturized, aligners will feel more comfortable. Therefore, you may want to carry a portable spray like Biotene Mouth Spray.

Another widely recommended product for dry mouth is XyliMelt lozenges. They are easy to carry with you, and you can pop one in your mouth to provide relief while you’re on the move or while sleeping. These contain a natural sweetener, xylitol, that stimulates saliva flow. 

As a bonus, these products can help you avoid bad breathe too!

We hope this information about how to make Invisalign more comfortable is helpful. Have questions? Feel free to call us anytime

Orthodontic Excellence provides the best orthodontic care for:

• Tacoma WA
• Summit WA
• Puyallup WA
• North Puyallup WA

Get started with your complimentary consultation here. 

Or, get started at home with a free virtual consultation. To begin, click the bright orange button on the bottom of the screen that reads, “Start your Virtual Appointment NOW!”

Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and updates.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 🦷Orthodontic Excellence (@orthodontic.excellence)