How painful is Invisalign?

Getting Invisalign or aligners is a straightforward process and mostly painless. But not everyone is the same; hence, getting aligners is a cakewalk for some people, and for others, it is a complex and complicated process. So, to tell whether they are painful or not totally depends on your tooth condition and your pain tolerance. 

Though the pain or sensation you feel from Invisalign can be because of the soreness, getting aligners are like getting traditional metal braces, but it is less painful. Getting plastic braces or aligners at the start can make you feel uncomfortable or want to take them off. But it is entirely normal, and your teeth will adjust with time. 

Before jumping into the details of how you can handle the pain from Invisalign or why it is painful, let us first read about it more. An aligner is a plastic transparent tooth straightening tool that works like metal braces. 

The main advantage of aligners is that they are not visible, are easily removed, and will make your teeth straightening process much easier and quicker. With these orthodontics devices, you do not have to follow many restrictions compared to traditional braces. 

Now that you know the basics of Invisalign let’s jump straight into how you can handle the pain and discomfort that comes with it! 

Why does Invisalign pain?

Commonly aligners don’t cause pain, but if you are experiencing pain, it could be because of the shift in position. The main job of this orthodontic tool is to push your misaligned teeth to a better position. And when you get these modern braces, in the beginning, it is normal to feel a little pain and discomfort because your mouth is not accustomed to them. 

In addition, when you insert the new Invisalign tray, it can also cause pain for some people or can cause sore or sensitive gums, but it will go away in some weeks. However, you must consult your dentist if the pain doesn’t go away quickly or within a few days.

How can you manage Invisalign pain? 

If you are someone who is currently taking the aligner treatment, then these tips can help you manage the little pain or discomfort if there is any: 

• Eat less chewy or hard food: Foods such as hard nuts, candies, lollipops, popcorn, etc., can cause pain and disturb the process of Invisalign and can cause pain. So, if you have recently undergone the aligner treatment, it is best to avoid such foods. In addition, you must stay away from too-cold or too-hot food.

• Use ice packs: Keeping ice cubes in your mouth or using ice packs where you have soreness can help with the pain and discomfort. Ice cubes or cold ice packs work well in combating the pain. Hence, using them at least twice a day is recommended to see effective results. 

• Brush and floss your teeth properly: Brushing & flossing your teeth is essential if you do not want any pain or further discomfort. Sometimes patients do not focus on their brushing routine, which can accumulate food build-up inside the plastic tray, leading to pain and sore gums. Hence, it is vital to floss and brush your teeth. 
• Wear your Invisalign as much as possible: It is essential to wear your aligners daily because it will make your teeth accustomed to the aligners. Your teeth will not only get to use the aligners but wearing your aligners daily will also reduce pain and discomfort and help speed up the teeth straightening process. 

All in all, getting Invisalign is a painless procedure, but if you suffer from any discomfort, you must go to your dentist and follow the tips mentioned above to help you.