What to Expect in Your First Week With Invisalign?

How Will Invisalign Feel at First?

On the first day, the aligners feel very snug. The teeth start shifting to the desired position with the continuous pressure of these aligners. A mid-moderate soreness feel on the jaws and teeth for the first 2-3 days. Prefer eating soft foods or juices to prevent soreness. Plastic edges of the aligners cause irritation to the mouth and lips, or cheeks, etc. The mouth treats it as a foreign body, which increases the saliva production. A number of patients feel a clear change in pronouncing words, especially the “s” and “z” letters. 

What Eating and Drinking Adjustments Are Needed?

Here are the four drinking or eating adjustments needed with Invisalign treatment:

1. Remove Aligners Before Meals: Always remove the aligners before eating or drinking to prevent damage or stains on the aligners. Eating with the aligners causes food trapping in teeth, which results in plaque build-up or bacterial production in teeth. Enamel decay also occurs due to plaque formation, which weakens the teeth. Chewing or eating hard foods with aligners deforms the plastic. It reduces the ultimate goal of wearing aligners as the pressure changes. 
2. Avoid Hot Drinks: Hot drinks or beverages warp the plastic(SmartTrack) of aligners. It delays the treatment process as the aligner fit changes. Remove aligners before having a coffee or tea. Avoid having frequent snacks or drinks, as it affects the required time of 20-22 hours that the aligner is worn. 
3. Stick to Water: Water is allowed to be drunk while wearing aligners, as it doesn’t cause staining and is odor-free. Acidic and sugary drinks damage the teeth and cause enamel to decay. Alcoholic drinks cause dryness in the mouth, which results in bacterial production. 
4. Rinse After Eating: Clean the teeth with a brush and the aligners with lukewarm water or Invisalign crystals before wearing them back. It prevents enamel, tooth decay, bacteria, and plaque formation. 

How Should You Clean Your Aligners?

Here are the four methods to clean the aligners:

1. Rinse After Every Removal: Clean the aligners gently after having a meal to prevent plaque and bacteria formation. A food or drink particle stains the aligners and damages the tooth enamel. 
2. Brush Gently: Use a non-abrasive cleanser or a soft-bristle brush to rinse them carefully. A toothpaste leaves the aligners with scratches and tiny grooves. These grooves give space for bacterial formation. 
3. Use Cleaning Solutions: Dissolve a packet of Invisalign crystals in water and submerge the aligners in it for 15 minutes to deep clean the aligners. Dental cleaning tablets and aligner cleaning foam are also used to wash them. Home solutions include hydrogen peroxide with water, vinegar with water, and antibacterial soap.
4. Store in Case When Not Worn: Put the aligners in their case while eating or drinking to prevent damage, dirt, or losing them. Avoid removing repeatedly without any reason, as it increases the treatment timeline.

What Daily Routine Changes Should You Expect?

Here are the four changes that occur in the daily routine with Invisalign treatment:

1. Wear Aligners 20–22 Hours Daily: Consistency is necessary for completing the treatment on time with effective results. Aligners must be worn for 20–22 hours daily to maintain steady, gentle pressure on the teeth. Removing them frequently delays the treatment process and increases the estimated budget. 
2. Remove and Clean Frequently: Clean the aligners and teeth after having a meal to prevent any damage, bad breath, cavities in the teeth, and aligners. 
3. Carry Essentials On-the-Go: Keep an oral care box while travelling or in an office to maintain good hygiene. A floss, a travel-sized soft-bristle brush, soap, and the cases of aligners are needed in the oral kit. 
4. Build Consistent Habits: Stay active and disciplined in cleaning and wearing the aligners ensures good results. Set reminders at the start to get them in the daily routine. 

Will Invisalign Affect Your Speech?

Aligners change the movement of the tongue and its contact with the teeth and palate. This leads to difficulty in pronouncing words or letters, especially “s” and “z”. This is improved in a few days or a week, yet practicing words loudly speeds up the process. Saliva production also increases as the mouth treats it as a foreign body. Persistent difficulty indicates that the aligners are not a good fit. 

How Do You Manage Discomfort in the First Week?

Orthodontic wax is used to get relief from the edges of the aligners. A counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen is used in case of shifting to a new tray. The patient has this relief one hour before inserting a new tray. Cold water numbs the sore areas of the mouth, gives temporary relief from pressure, and reduces the inflammation. Aligner chewies are soft tools used to improve the fit of aligners while removing air gaps between the teeth and trays. They help ensure proper pressure and reduce discomfort during adjustment. Prefer shifting to a new set of aligners before bed to reduce the pain of adjustment. Soft foods help to relieve the pain at the start. 

When Should You Contact Your Orthodontist?

Contact the orthodontist in case of damage or cracking in the aligner set. Continuous pain and soreness even after a few days of initial shifting indicated that the aligners are not fitting properly. Discuss it with the orthodontist to have a checkup or shift to a new customized tray. Frequent bleeding, swelling, or irritation is not common after a few days or a week. Prefer discussing it with a dentist instead of having relievers without the dentist's recommendation. 

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