Does Invisalign Hurt? 6 Tips To Alleviate Invisalign Pain!

Many of us are not blessed with straight teeth and it’s no shame in changing the appearance of our teeth as there are several dental treatments available to give your teeth the straight shape you desire. Invisalign treatment can help you out in this. It is a great alternative to braces. They are translucent, so if you don’t like braces, Invisalign is an option for you! One of the hottest questions that rise is does Invisalign hurt? If it does, how much does it hurt? How to reduce the pain level?

Get your questions answered further in the article!

Also read: Get Straight Teeth Without Braces

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Invisalign is a great treatment option for straightening your teeth but it can cause discomfort, pain and soreness. However, the pain is much lesser than traditional braces. It is mild and temporary. They are usually easy to wear and comfortable, although discomfort and pain may still occur especially if it is your first time wearing a new set of aligners. They are designed to snuggle your teeth to shape them.

How Much does it Hurt?

Invisalign can cause mild pain which is temporary. Some may experience mild pain others may not. A little discomfort may occur while chewing. If you have sensitive teeth or gums or lower tolerance to pain, you are more likely to experience pain and discomfort from Invisalign. During the first week, any pain or discomfort you feel from Invisalign is temporary.

After that, you will get comfortable with them. It is also probable that you may experience temporary pain in just one tooth and this is actually an indication that the aligners are doing their job by adjusting your teeth.

How Long does the Pain Last?

The pain may last for 2-3 days after getting a new aligner installation. The symptoms may go away after 2-3 days. However, Invisalign requires new trays every 2 weeks, so it’s possible to experience a little pain and discomfort after each installation. Also, your mouth may adjust to the feeling of Invisalign after some time, so it may not hurt or hurt a little less after you adjust to it.

You may possibly experience mild pain in your jaw and tongue along with your teeth after you get Invisalign. However, the pain shouldn’t be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities. If you experience bleeding gums or teeth, sensitivity, pain while drinking, eating or swallowing food and facial swelling, you should call your dentist right away.

Braces vs Invisalign

Braces are another treatment for treating crooked teeth. And yes, Braces also hurt. So, what’s the difference between the pain level of braces and Invisalign? Well, braces hurt more than Invisalign. Invisalign realigns your teeth with the help of plastic instead of metal wires and brackets that are used in braces. So, Invisalign is much more comfortable to wear than braces. However, it’s possible to become comfortable with both types of dental applications.

Invisalign

The pain associated with both braces and Invisalign should decline after 3 months of use. Also, Invisalign is worn for about 12-18 months as compared to braces which are worn for about 5 years. Moreover, braces are still considered much more uncomfortable than Invisalign.

Tips to Reduce the Invisalign Pain and Discomfort

While pain and discomfort from Invisalign are supposed to go away after a short period. However, some people may find this pain and discomfort disturbing and distracting. The teeth moving from their original position to a new position might cause some pain and wearing Invisalign for the first time might cause discomfort.

While it is sure that Invisalign isn’t totally pain-free, you can try some things to alleviate this pain and discomfort. Here are some tips to reduce the pain which occurs with Invisalign:

1. Drink Cold Water

Coldwater may help in reducing the soreness caused by wearing Invisalign inside the mouth. You can also suck on ice to reduce the inflammation and give some relief to your mouth from the discomfort. Do not go for sugary beverages, acidic drinks as they increase the risk of tooth decay.

2. Wear Invisalign Aligners as Much as Possible

This must sound a little sarcastic but actually wearing Invisalign aligners may help you get comfortable with them. It is one of the best ways to help you get comfortable with them and hence not feeling the pain anymore. This allows your teeth to shift sooner.

3. Try OTC Medications

You may take some over the counter medications for the first two days after having Invisalign aligners set up in your mouth. For the first few days, the pain might be severe, so you can ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to take OTC pain relievers especially if you are already on any other medication.

4. Change your Aligners Before Going to Bed

By putting new aligners in the nighttime before going to bed, you might be able to sleep through the discomfort. Your mouth will have more time to adjust to the aligners.

5. Try Dental Wax

Invisalign may possibly cause pain in the gums. So, if you are experiencing discomfort or pain in your gums, you can try dental wax to alleviate the pain. Lubricating the edges of the aligners can help you reduce friction that may cause gum pain.

6. Eat Soft Foods for a Few Days

After you get your first Invisalign aligners set up in your mouth, it is recommended to eat soft foods as hard and crunchy foods may cause pain and discomfort. When your teeth are sore, stick to a diet with only soft foods that won’t cause pain to your teeth.

This was all about Invisalign and it’s pain level. So, if you are considering having Invisalign aligners, it’s important to know that they may cause pain and discomfort. However, it is mild and temporary. You can try some things that may alleviate the pain and discomfort like drinking cold water and keeping your aligners on as much as possible.