Your Victoria Invisalign® Provider
It is only natural to be curious about how your new Invisalign Clear Aligners are going to end up feeling. You'll be relieved to know that for most patients, they don’t cause pain. The feeling is more usually described as a discomfort that you get used to and over time can just forget about.
Very much like a new pair of shoes, once you wear your Invisalign Clear Aligners for a little while and 'break them in,' so to speak, you should begin to get used to how they feel.
Adjusting to the Invisalign Clear Aligners
When wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners, there will be an adjustment period, just like with traditional braces. Because the purpose of wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners is to shift your teeth into a straighter smile, the aligners must exert pressure on your teeth.
Because of this, you should expect some soreness at first. This soreness will most likely be noticeable in the first few days after putting in a new set of aligners, but it should gradually fade until it is time to put in the next set of aligners.
Although Invisalign Clear Aligners do not contain any metal, they can irritate the oral soft tissues while your mouth adjusts to them. However, it's important to remember that with time, your gums and cheeks will toughen up and the aligners will no longer be uncomfortable.
So tough it out and, after the first week or two, it should feel much better!
Speaking with Invisalign Clear Aligners
Some Invisalign patients develop temporary lisps as a result of the aligners changing the space within the mouth. They also cause the tongue to travel differently around the teeth, temporarily impairing pronunciation. The changes and consequences are usually minor, though some patients may take longer to adjust.
Invisalign lisps can also be caused by ill-fitting trays on occasion. Each tray is a clear plastic mould that is supposed to fit snugly over the teeth. However, because the goal is to change the tooth placement, the moulds are built to accommodate the desired tooth positioning for that stage of treatment.
Most Invisalign patients do not develop lisps with each new set of aligners because the shape and thickness of each set of aligners are similar. However, if the tray is not properly formed or positioned, it may cause a lisp. If you believe this is the case, you should contact your Victoria dentist to ensure that your Invisalign Clear Aligners are the proper size and shape.
Eating with Invisalign Clear Aligners
Simply put, food and aligners do not go together! Every time you eat, take your aligners out and run them under water to clean them. Sugars in food or non-water liquids can cause tooth decay if they get into your aligner. Some foods and beverages may also stain your aligners. Simply remove your alignment before eating and rinse your mouth with clean water before re-inserting them to keep your teeth free of food particles.