When Should You Switch Your Aligners?
Invisalign aligners have new variations designed to incrementally move your teeth into the healthiest place. Usually, new sets of aligners should only cause mild soreness right after they are switched. Typically you should get a new set of aligners every two weeks for the duration of your treatment. It’s important to stay on schedule as treatment progresses to avoid any unnecessary pain.
We recommend making the switch to your next set of aligners right before bed on the scheduled date. Sleeping with your aligners right after the switch means the worst of your pain will be overnight, and shouldn’t affect your daily life. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever before bed on the night of the switch to help you sleep without any discomfort.
How to Clean Your Aligners?
Keeping your aligners clean and maintaining good oral health practices all throughout treatment helps you to avoid infection, bacteria, and other uncomfortable health issues. Aligners should be cleaned nightly, and doing so will help you avoid any pain that comes with poor oral health, oral disease, or tooth decay. For a deeper clean, you can use denture cleaner or antibacterial mouthwash on aligners once in a while.
Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean the aligners. Before you replace your aligners, rinse your mouth with warm water after you have brushed your teeth. If you struggle to reach places in your mouth, your orthodontist or dentist may recommend you use an electric water pick to further clean your teeth and gums if needed.
Try Soft Foods
Soft foods are easier to eat and digest, and they’re easier on sore teeth to chew. Soft foods are also easier to swallow. Sticking to soft foods is the best way to keep pain to a minimum during meal times after an adjustment. Here are some of the Soft foods we recommend:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Ice Cream
- Pasta
- Soup
- Pudding
- Tofu
- Oatmeal
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Scrambled Eggs
If you have Invisalign-related pain, you may be tempted to quit. Follow these steps to get your pain under control. If you’re suffering from Invisalign pain, don’t give up. You may be surprised to learn that even the most severe cases can be resolved if you take the right steps early on in treatment.
