While traditional braces come with bulky brackets and protruding wires, Invisalign achieves the same beautiful results with a series of clear, custom-made trays. That’s one of the many reasons patients love clear aligner treatment – it’s considerably more comfortable! That said, it is normal to feel some soreness in the hours following your transition to the next set in the series. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways you can alleviate new aligner discomfort, like:
Use a Cold Compress
Just like you use an icepack when you twist your ankle, you can use a cold compress when you transition to a new set of aligners. If you don’t have a cold compress, you can also use a towel-wrapped icepack or simply sip on cool water. This will provide a temporary numbing sensation while also alleviating inflammation and swelling.
Stick to Soft Foods
When your teeth feel sore, eating something crunchy can exacerbate your symptoms. That’s why patients are encouraged to avoid hard pretzels, peanut brittle, whole apples, raw carrots, and the like. Instead, eat softer foods, like plain yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, vegetable soup, and scrambled eggs.
Keep Orthodontic Wax With You
One of the many reasons Invisalign aligners are so comfortable is that they are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth from smooth plastic. As a result, they don’t lead to soft tissue irritation like traditional braces do. With all of that said, one of your aligners might have a sharp edge when you first put them on, so having orthodontic wax close by is handy.
Bonus Tip: Switch to Each New Aligner Before Bed
Usually, patients feel the most soreness in the hours following the transition to a new set of aligners. If that’s the case for you as well, then consider making the switch right before bed! That way, you sleep through the period of time when your teeth are moving the most.
About the Practice
For our team at Simply Orthodontics – Milford, orthodontic treatment doesn’t just include custom care. In fact, that’s just the beginning! We go above and beyond to make each patient’s experience a positive one – whether they’re scheduling their first appointment or they have a question now that they are nearing the end of their teeth-straightening journey. So, if you are ready to pursue your dream smile and you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our website or by phone at (508) 473-2002.