When you try on your Invisalign aligners for the first time, you may feel a twinge of apprehension along with your excitement. You can look forward to getting the beautiful smile you have always wanted without those traditional metal braces. You should get used to wearing the aligners regularly as soon as possible as they work best when worn for 22 hours every day.
Here is a piece of good news: adjusting to wearing your Invisalign aligners is not that difficult. Over a million people have successfully used Invisalign braces to improve their smile, and the vast majority are happy and satisfied with the experience. If you are starting out on the process of straightening your teeth with Invisalign aligners, here are some tips to help you make the adjustment.
Keep Your Aligners In
The most helpful way to adjust to the aligners as quickly as possible is to wear them exactly as prescribed. Do not make the common mistake of removing your aligners too frequently, which will not make the adjustment easier. In fact, taking out your aligners too often will only prolong your treatment and delay your mouth’s adjustment.
Watching Your Diet
At first, wearing your Invisalign trays may cause your gums to be more sensitive. To minimize this discomfort, choose soft, easy-to-chew foods for the first few days with each new tray. Stay away from food that are brittle which have the tendency to tear up your mouth. Foods that you should avoid eating are crunchy snacks such as potato chips and pretzels.
Cool and soft food can help soothe your gums if there are sore. Some healthy snacks that will make you feel better include yogurt, chilled fruits, and smoothies. Wearing a new Invisalign aligner is also a great excuse to get ice cream in case you needed one.
Put New Aligners Trays Before Bedtime
Transitioning to a new aligner tray right before you sleep is one of the simplest steps you can take to making your Invisalign aligners more comfortable and a smoother transition. In most cases, people only experience discomfort with their new aligners for a short time. By wearing a new tray at night, you give your mouth a chance to adjust while you are blissfully unaware of the sensation.
When you sleep, your mouth stays still, so your aligner tray will be less likely to rub against your gums. You also produce extra saliva while sleeping, which makes the trays sit more comfortably in your mouth. After a good night’s rest with your new tray in, you should wake up with less discomfort, ready to start a new day smiling.
By carrying out good dental hygiene practices and visiting your dentist regularly, there is no doubt that your teeth and oral health will be well taken care of. You can always discuss and explore the option of Invisalign aligners with your dentist and they will give you their honest professional opinion. Consult Dr. Alex Rubinov, an experienced cosmetic dentist, for a truly professional opinion about getting or transitioning to using Invisalign aligners. Please call us at (718) 253-0800 to book an appointment.