Just Started Wearing Invisalign®? Here’s What to Expect
If you’ve recently made the decision to straighten your teeth, congrats! It’s a big step and an investment not only in the aesthetics of your smile but your overall oral health as well. Our Jackson, MI, Invisalign® dentists are here to make sure your experience starts off as it should and you understand what is common for the first few days.
Here’s what you can expect when you begin wearing Invisalign clear aligners.
Making the Invisalign Commitment
It’s important to remember that just because you’ve chosen , it doesn’t mean there are no rules. Sure, you don’t have metal brackets or wires on your teeth but the absence of these components can actually translate into more responsibility on your end.
Learn More → Keep These 4 Truths About Invisalign® In Mind
For example, brackets are bonded to your teeth and can only be removed by an orthodontist. Wires are affixed to the brackets and help apply pressure to your teeth throughout your treatment. All in all, you don’t have to worry about much as they’ll remain on your teeth and get the job done in the background.
On the other hand, aligners can be removed for eating, drinking beverages that aren’t water, flossing, and brushing teeth. Their removability can tempt many wearers to not put them back in place but this will result in consequences such as delayed progress. If you choose clear aligners, you must wear them for at least 20-22 hours a day for your treatment to go as planned.
During Your First Week, You May Notice That:
1. Speaking Will Feel (and Sound) Different
Anyone that’s ever worn a retainer or mouth guard knows that your speech becomes slightly slurred when the oral appliance is in place. Wearing Invisalign aligners is better than that experience as the aligners themselves are a much thinner plastic, but a small lisp can still occur.
Fortunately, this lisp should disappear after the first week but you will need to practice in order to overcome the awkwardness of the trays in your mouth. Similar to dentures, aligners will feel foreign in the beginning. Our dentists suggest you try reading aloud to yourself, singing a song you love, or simply chat with family and friends. The more you talk, the faster you’ll sound like yourself again.
2. Your Teeth, Gums, & Jaw Feel a Little Sore
The road to straighter teeth generally involves some discomfort because, well, your teeth are being moved into new positions. Though it should never be extreme pain, it’s completely natural to feel or switch to a new set of trays during your treatment.
For that first week, any minor soreness that exists should dissipate before you enter the second week. Moving forward, you can expect a lesser form of that discomfort to stick around for only a day or two. Our dentists recommend eating softer foods for a few days when this happens, putting in trays at night to avoid daytime irritation, and using over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.
Above all else, keep wearing your aligners and don’t take them out just because you’re not enjoying the feeling. It’s tough, but you’ll thank yourself later for your determination now.
3. You Sneak a Snack Less Often
Meeting the minimum 20-22 hours a day of wear is crucial to your Invisalign treatment. Skimping on how much you have your aligners in place will only sabotage your own progress and waste precious time. Because you’ll have your aligners in this much, you may notice that you’re more deliberate with your meals and random snacking becomes a thing of the past.
In short, munching on chips or candy is not as easy as it used to be. Now, you have to take your trays out, eat what you’d like, clean your teeth thoroughly, and pop the aligners back in place. This can make you increasingly aware of how much you snack outside of larger meals and depending on how you look at it, can help you make more conscious food choices.
4. Taking Aligners In & Out Takes Practice
What could be so difficult about putting in and removing aligners? You’d be surprised if you’re not used to the task. The entire thing can be further complicated if you have attachments bonded to your teeth but there’s no need to worry, you’ll get the hang of it soon enough.
Make sure you apply gentle pressure (don’t bite down) onto each tray as you insert them over upper and lower teeth. Fully seat the aligners using your thumbs and double check they’ve snapped over your molars. You can also use bite sticks or “chewies” to ensure the aligners are tight enough and where they need to be.
For those who don’t want to put their fingers in their mouth or chip their nail polish all the time, certain clear aligner removal tools like the Pultool, Outie, and OrthoKey all make the task of removing your set of custom clear aligners easier than ever. Typically, tools of this nature are designed with a hook at one end and a notch on the other.
The hook is placed over the edge of your aligner and as you gently lift, removes the aligner from your teeth. The notch can also be used to dislodge aligner trays. The key is finding a tool that works for you and asking our dentists if you have any questions regarding your aligners.
Make an Appointment
Are you ready to meet with our ? We can go into detail about next steps and answer any questions you may have. We want your clear aligner treatment to be a success so we will do all we need to make that happen. Call The Dental Experience today at (517) 787-5367 to request an appointment.
This blog has been updated.