Tags – First Week of Invisalign
OK, so you’ve taken the plunge and are now on the journey for a perfect smile.
Today, Invisalign is becoming a much more popular method for straightening teeth, simply for the reason that they’re discreet and comfortable than normal braces.
Of course, an adjustment period is to be expected – they are forcing your teeth into new positions after all.
However, there are a few tricks for how you can make this transition a lot smoother during the beginning stages.
With that said, here are 5 tips for surviving your first week of Invisalign.
1. It Will Hurt: Power Through
Let’s be honest now, Invisalign hurts a little.
To begin with, you will no doubt experience some pain in your teeth and jaws.
And that’s because your teeth are gradually being shifted into new positions to get your desired results.
On the plus side, this soreness will usually pass after the first week as your teeth get used to the pressure from the aligners.
So the best thing is to just power through.
But, every time you receive a new set of aligners every couple of weeks, there may be slight discomfort then too.
Luckily, there are a few chewing exercises you can practice a few times to help ease the pain, as well as help your trays fit snug for maximum tooth movement.
Simply move your mouth as though you are chewing, which will give off a soothing massage effect for your gums.
Plus doing so, helps to stimulate blood flow to your mouth, which acts as a natural pain reliever.
2. Protect Your Tongue
The early stages of your smile journey, you may notice some sores on your tongue, but don’t worry, this is completely normal.
To put it simply, Invisalign trays are made from strong BPA-free plastic to provide maximum durability.
However, the sharp edges can rub against your tongue and irritate it when the aligners are first worn.
Eventually, your tongue will toughen up. But to speed this up, you can apply wax for Invisalign and apply it to the hot spots.
And, if there are any particularly sharp edges where the wax is not helpful, you may need to ask your cosmetic dentist to file them down for you.
In addition, it’s always a good idea to have a bottle of peroxide-based mouthwash in your bathroom; these are specially formulated to heal minor irritations in the mouth and offer pain relief.
3. Track Tray Time
A new smile. A new lifestyle.
Once you have your first set of Invisalign trays, you probably won’t be able to withstand the whole 22 hour day, and take them in and out quite often to start with.
Of course, this is okay at the beginning, but if you don’t wear them for the recommended time, you may not be on track with getting your results.
For this reason, you should keep a track of your daily wear time; there are lots of free apps available that tracks how long you’ve worn them as well as reminding you when to change trays.
4. Remove Aligners Safely
Following on from the point before, you will also be removing your aligners every time you eat, drink, brush and floss.
During the first couple of days, it can be a little difficult to remove them before it becomes your “normal” routine.
To put them in:
- Push the tray over the front of your teeth
- Apply the same amount of pressure with your fingers and push on the back part of the tray
- Never bite your aligners into place
- Start on one side of your mouth
- Using your finger, slowly pull the tray from your molar
- Repeat on the other side
- Once the tray has lifted from the molars, gently remove it
5. Keep Your Aligners Clean
Last but not least, and arguably the most important, is to keep your aligners clean.
Not only will this help them to look “invisible”, but they will help to prevent crumbs of food and bacteria from building up which can cause tooth decay or gum disease.
That said, every time you remove your aligners to brush your teeth, take a brief moment to gently brush and rinse your aligners too.
However, do not use hot water as this can warp the plastic and compromise your treatment.
Then, repeat this twice before soaking them in a cleaning solution that’s specifically designed for Invisalign.
Eventually, this routine will become a part of your usual teeth cleaning routine, and make sure your smile is just as healthy as it is stunning!
Wrapping Up
Above all, Invisalign tricks are based on simple common sense: be good to your mouth and maintain a healthy routine throughout treatment.
As you embark on your journey, practice good habits and incorporate these tips into your new lifestyle; you’ll have a much more pleasant, comfortable and confident journey to your ideal smile!
For more information, please get in touch today.
In the meantime, take a look at our Cosmetic Dentistry treatments and our page for Invisalign treatments.
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