The term “growing pains” is often used to describe how it feels to start something new. Any time you’re trying to act differently than usual, there’s bound to be a little discomfort during the transition. As it turns out, your teeth are the same way.
Invisalign aligners are incredibly effective at straightening out crooked smiles. As you begin the treatment, there’s going to be a little bit of soreness when your teeth start to move. These growing pains are temporary—they should fade after about a week or so of wearing the trays. In the meantime, however, a little bit of pain management is helpful. Here are a few ways to deal with the initial discomfort of starting Invisalign.
Why Can Invisalign Be Uncomfortable?
As your teeth begin to move, the ligaments that hold the teeth in place have to stretch. This results in a little bit of uncomfortable inflammation around the teeth. Your mouth should get used to this fairly quickly, so if it hasn’t subsided after a few weeks you should talk to your provider.
How Do I Deal with Invisalign Discomfort?
You can reduce the discomfort of moving teeth by treating the inflammation of the ligaments. There are a few ways to do this.
- Cold Compress: An ice pack is one of the most common ways to bring down swelling along the gumline. Wrap one in a washcloth and place it on the area for around 20 minutes at a time.
- Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain relief can be a lifesaver when you first get your Invisalign. Get some ibuprofen, and make good use of it when your teeth start to ache.
- Saltwater Rinse: Salt is a natural anti-inflammatory, so a saltwater rinse is a great way to ease pain in the teeth’s ligaments. Mix one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water, and swish with it gently. Be sure to take out your aligners first!
- Dental Wax: Your dentist may have fit you with aligner buttons that allow your tray to better target certain teeth. If those buttons rub against your cheek as you eat, you might consider using dental wax to make chewing more comfortable.
So long as there aren’t any significant problems, you shouldn’t have to deal with these growing pains for long. Once you’re used to the aligners, you won’t even notice you’re wearing them. You can relax and enjoy the results!
About Our Practice
At Rauchberg Dental Group, we treat people like more than just a name on a chart. We know that every part of the body is connected, so we make sure to treat our patients’ problems comprehensively. We also have six experienced dentists on staff, each with their own specialty. These experts will coordinate with each other in forming your treatment plan to ensure you’re getting the quality of care you deserve. Our certified orthodontist would be more than happy to walk you through every step of the Invisalign process. If you have any questions about managing the discomfort that comes with Invisalign, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (973) 718-9887.