Does Invisalign Hurt? What You Need to Know About Discomfort & Adjustments

For those seeking a discreet smile upgrade, the transformative treatment Invisalign is often top of the list - and given its many benefits, it’s not hard to see why! 

However, given that this treatment is designed to move your teeth into a new position, people often find themselves asking, ‘Does Invisalign hurt?’.

So, as the first and only diamond Invisalign provider in Norwich, our experienced dental specialists explain what you need to know below.

Does Invisalign hurt?

This can be tricky to answer as individuals have different pain tolerances, but for most, Invisalign feels like a dull ache or discomfort around your teeth rather than pain. This is generally described by patients as a tolerable sensation, although it can differ between cases.

The feeling of compression around the arch of your teeth indicates that your custom aligner is working and applying the correct amount of pressure to shift your teeth closer together and minimise gaps. One tooth may experience more pain if it's considerably misaligned compared to the others, as more pressure is required to straighten it.

You could also encounter pain from the edges of the plastic aligner if it hasn’t been customised accurately, although this shouldn’t occur if you receive treatment from a diamond expert Invisalign provider, such as ourselves.

However, some don’t have any soreness at all - it just depends on the patient.

When does Invisalign stop ‘hurting’?

Typically, tenderness while wearing your Invisalign aligners is usually felt within 1-3 days after putting in your initial tray and then subsides. 

As Invisalign treatment uses a series of aligners to straighten your pearly whites, your teeth may also feel sore or uncomfortable after switching trays. Thankfully, this tenderness tends to become milder each time you insert a new aligner as the procedure progresses. 

To help your mouth get used to aligners faster, you should wear them for the suggested 20-22 hours and stay hydrated to reduce tension and dryness in your mouth.   

How to ease Invisalign pain

Take the edge off any soreness felt during Invisalign treatment with these handy methods intended to reduce discomfort:

1. Start with soft foods - as your teeth may be tender or sensitive at the beginning of treatment, stick to eating softer foods during this period. 
2. Take painkillers - you can ease any discomfort with over-the-counter painkillers; however, please check with your GP first.
3. Wear your Invisalign aligners at night - by keeping your aligners in while you sleep, you can prevent more discomfort during the day. Always discuss this with your dental specialist, prior to taking this action. 

Enquire at Riverside Dental

If you’re looking for Invisalign treatment in the Norfolk area and want assurance that you’ll receive the best results and care, look no further than Riverside Dental - the first and only Invisalign diamond provider in Norwich.

This means we have considerable experience and knowledge in using Invisalign to straighten teeth! 

To book a consultation, call our helpful reception team on 0160 392 0313 or enquire online today, and we’ll schedule your appointment.

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