Don't Let a Missing Tooth Hold You Back in Life

3 Questions You May Have after Wearing Invisalign for a Few Weeks

by Wyatt Morgan

When your first Invisalign appointment was drawing to a close, your dentist probably asked if you had any final questions. If you're like most patients, you were so excited to get started (or just to go home) that you responded "no" or "not right now." Then, a week or two later, you finally started to wonder a few things. To save you a call to your dentist, here's a look at the answers to common questions that many patients have after a week or two with Invisalign.

Why are the aligners starting to look a little yellow?

At some point in your dentist's instructions, he or she probably advised you that while it is okay to drink water with Invisalign in your mouth, you should avoid other beverages like coffee, tea, and dark soda, since they can stain the aligners. If you've been drinking these beverages with the aligners in, that's probably why they're starting to look a bit yellow. Switch to water only when you're wearing the aligners, and enjoy your other beverages during or just after a meal --before you snap your aligners back in.

Is it normal for soreness to come back after switching to a new aligner?

You were probably a bit sore during your first few days of wearing Invisalign, but then that soreness wore off and you became pretty comfortable. However, if you're reached the point of switching to a new aligner (which typically happens around 2 weeks after you start wearing Invisalign), you've probably noticed the soreness return. This is normal. When you switch to a new aligner, that new aligner is "tighter" than the old one. When you first pop it in, it is really pressing on your teeth to move them into place. This causes soreness. As your teeth respond to the pressure and begin to move, the pressure becomes lessened, as does your soreness.

As you wear Invisalign, you'll get used to this cycle. Switch to a new aligner, and you'll be pretty sore for a couple of days. The soreness wears off, and then a few days later, it's time for a new aligner again.

Is it necessary to time how long the aligners are left out?

You dentist probably informed you that Invisalign works best when worn for 20–22 hours per day. If you're like most patients, you started off by timing the periods during which Invisalign was not in your mouth, so you could make sure you fell into that 20–22 hour window of daily wear. Once you've established your daily routine, however, it's probably not necessary to keep timing. If you're good about putting your Invisalign back in promptly after meals and after brushing sessions, you should pretty naturally fall into that 20–22 hour window without too much effort.

Hopefully these answers have clarified a few of your concerns about wearing Invisalign. If you have additional questions, don't be afraid to contact your cosmetic dentist. They know your dental health better than anyone, and they can ensure you're doing what's best for your results.

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