Although it may not seem like it, soreness and pressure are good news; it means your Invisalign aligners are working to straighten your teeth and align your bite! Of course, it may not seem like it in the moment, especially if you’re trying to concentrate at work or get a good night’s sleep. Fortunately, there are several ways you can ease new aligner discomfort.
1. Transition to Each New Set Before Bed
Oftentimes, patients experience the most discomfort in the hours following their transition to a new set of aligners. Since that’s when the most movement happens, that’s not too surprising! An easy way to bypass this is by making the switch right before bed. That way, you sleep through the period of time when you’re most likely to experience soreness and pressure.
2. Avoid Extremely Crunchy Foods
In short, hard pretzels, raw almonds, tortilla chips, and other crunchy foods will only exacerbate your symptoms. So, do your best to steer clear of them, especially in the days following your transition to a new set of aligners. Instead, fill your plate with nutrient-dense foods that are softer in consistency, like oatmeal, bananas, and plain yogurt.
3. Use a Cold Compress
Using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time will help alleviate inflammation and provide a temporary numbing sensation. If you don’t have a cold compress, that’s okay – you can use a towel-wrapped icepack or sip on cold water throughout the day.
4. Take OTC Pain Medication as Directed
Finally, if nothing else seems to be working, you can take OTC pain medication. Just make sure to follow the directions on the label (NEVER take more than the recommended amount). It’s also a good idea to talk to your orthodontist since they may not want you to use an anti-inflammatory one.
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Aligners On!
Oftentimes, patients struggling with discomfort stemming from their aligners are tempted to take them off. However, that will only prolong the adjustment period and potentially even lead to treatment plan delays. So, do your best to continue to wear them for a minimum of 20 hours a day, every day.
About the Practice
Over the years, our team at Simply Orthodontics has helped countless patients in and around Webster achieve their dream smiles. Not only that, but we’ve helped them enjoy the journey! We’re happy to share all of our tips and tricks on navigating life with braces, and we’re always just a phone call away if any questions arise. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with us to discuss your treatment options, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our website or by phone at (508) 943-2100.