Invisalign is an excellent teeth straightening option for anyone who wants to straighten their teeth discreetly. This makes it the top choice for adults and a great choice for teens, too! With Invisalign, you’ll get a series of clear aligners that fit over your teeth. They gently push your teeth in the right direction over 12 – 18 months. In the end, you’ll have a beautiful smile that you’re proud to show off. After all, smiling is good for your health and helps you live longer!
Most are candidates for Invisalign, but traditional braces may be the best and fastest in cases with severe midline or bite issues. Set up a consult with your Spokane Invisalign dentist to see what type of teeth straightening will work best for your smile.
If you have Invisalign and are facing some problems or are considering Invisalign, here are some common issues and solutions.
1. Non-Compliance
Per doctor and Invisalign manufacturer recommendations, you should wear your clear aligners as often as possible and no less than 22 hours per day. If you fail to wear your aligners for enough time each day, your procedure will take much longer than expected. Another non-compliance issue that can arise is not wearing your retainer when your Invisalign treatment is over. This is especially important for teens whose jaws may still be developing. You don’t want to look in the mirror one day and realize that your teeth have moved after you’ve spent so much time and money straightening them! Make sure to wear your retainer as often as your Spokane dentist recommends. We can move teeth because your jawbone can reshape around your teeth’ roots. For the same reason, even without pressure, your teeth can drift again, and your jawbone will reshape around them.
Here is your reminder to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day and to wear your retainer as often as your dentist recommends!
2. Aligner Discoloration
You decided on Invisalign because you wanted your braces to be practically invisible. But if they become discolored, your teeth don’t look like their natural pearly whites, and your aligners are visible. Keep your aligners clean to avoid discoloration.
While you’re supposed to wear your aligners as much as possible, be sure to remove them when eating and drinking anything that isn’t water, regardless of the drink’s color. Not removing them while eating could mean broken aligners. Eating and drinking anything other than water with your aligners will stain them. Be sure to take them out and brush your teeth before putting them back in.
We don’t recommend clear non-water drinks like Sprite and 7Up while wearing aligners. The sugar from these drinks can become trapped between the aligner and your teeth and cause cavities. Speaking of cavities, make sure you clean your aligners each morning and each night when you brush your teeth.
Remember to take your aligners out while eating for drinking anything that isn’t water and clean them twice a day!
3. Sore Teeth
Soreness is part of the deal when you decide to straighten your teeth with Invisalign or any other kind of braces. The pressure on your teeth pushes against your jawbone and forces your bone to reshape around your teeth. This isn’t an easy process for your mouth, and you’re bound to experience some soreness—especially after you’ve switched to a new aligner.
However, we have a few tips on curbing your discomfort. When switching to a new aligner, switch at night, after you’ve had dinner, and are going to bed. This way, you’ll get the most uncomfortable part of the new aligner over with while you’re asleep. Additionally, you may want to take an over-the-counter medication like Ibuprofen or Tylenol to ensure that your new aligner doesn’t wake you up at night.
Be sure only to take medication that will aid in your wellness. Consult your physician if you’re unsure.
4. Difficult Speech
It may take some time for you to get used to speaking with clear aligners. Your body views them as a foreign object and isn’t used to talking with anything in your mouth. Additionally, because your aligner is a foreign object, your body will make more saliva in an attempt to break down the aligner and get rid of it. Excess saliva can make speech even more difficult.
With time, your saliva production will go back down to an average level, and you’ll learn to speak clearly with your aligners. Usually, speech problems are very minimal since the aligners are very thin.
Don’t be discouraged by the initial speech issues, and keep your aligners in for at least 22 hours per day!
5. Difficulty with Aligner Removal
After putting in a new aligner, you might find it very tight and difficult to remove when you want to eat or drink something. This is normal with a new aligner.
As we mentioned above, we recommend putting your new aligner in before bed. This allows your teeth to move slightly before you have to take them out, making removal easier. If you’re still having trouble removing a new aligner, try using a thick paper towel. Grasp your aligner on one side of your molars. Gently pull each side off before moving to the front.
Don’t worry, your aligner is supposed to be tight when you first put it on, but if you have concerns, your Spokane Invisalign dentist is just a phone call away.
Learn How Invisalign in Spokane Can Straighten Your Smile
Are you interested in straightening your teeth with Invisalign? If you are, be sure to look into Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics. Dentists Ken and Marnie Collins are Invisalign certified cosmetic dentists ready to help you achieve your dream smile. Call (509) 532-1111 to change your life today with Invisalign.
