It's natural to be curious about how your new Invisalign clear aligners will end up feeling. You'll be relieved to know that for most patients, clear aligners do not cause pain. The sensation is more often described as a discomfort that you'll adapt to and over time will just be able to forget about.
Very similar to a new pair of shoes, once you wear your Invisalign clear aligners for a while and 'break them in' so to speak, you should start to get used to how they feel.
Adjusting to the Invisalign Clear Aligners
Just like with traditional braces, you will probably have an adjustment period while wearing Invisalign clear aligners. Since the reason you need to wear Invisalign clear aligners is to shift your teeth into a straighter smile, the aligners put pressure on your teeth by nnecessity.
Because of this, your teeth may feel a little sore at first. You'll likely notice the soreness most during the first few days after changing to a new set of aligners. That said, it should gradually wear off until it is time to put in the next set of aligners.
While Invisalign clear aligners do not contain any metal, the aligners can sometimes irritate the oral soft tissues while your mouth is getting used to them. But it's important to remember that given a little time, your gums and cheeks will toughen up and the aligners will no longer cause discomfort.
So tough it out and, after the first week or two, it should feel much better!
Speaking with Invisalign Clear Aligners
Because the aligners change the space within the mouth, some Invisalign patients acquire temporary lisps. They also cause the tongue to travel differently around the teeth, affecting pronunciation temporarily. The changes and consequences are usually minor, although some patients may require more time to adjust.
Invisalign lisps can also occasionally be caused by ill-fitting trays. Each tray is a transparent plastic mould that should fit securely over the teeth. However, because the purpose is to modify the tooth placement, the moulds are constructed to meet the desired tooth positioning for that phase of treatment.
Because the shape and thickness of each set of aligners are similar, most Invisalign patients do not acquire lisps with each new set of aligners. However, if a tray is not appropriately formed or positioned, it might induce a lisp. If you believe this to be the case, it's important to contact your BC orthodontist to make sure your Invisalign clear aligners are the correct size and shape.
Eating with Invisalign Clear Aligners
Simply put, food and aligners do not mix! Take your aligners out every time you eat and run them under water to clean them. If food or a non-water liquid gets into your aligner, the sugars can cause tooth decay. Some meals and beverages might also discolour your aligners. To keep your teeth clear of food particles, just remove your alignment before eating and rinse your mouth with clean water before re-inserting them.