It’s normal to be a little nervous about starting orthodontic treatment. It’s a whole new experience, after all.
Before you begin Invisalign® treatment with Dr. Dunn or Dr. Schreiber in Millbrook, Montgomery or Wetumpka, you may have a few questions. Will I be able to speak normally? How will it feel? We love that you’re thinking ahead!
Your friends at Just for Grins Orthodontics are here to guide you along your journey as you discover your perfect smile. Here are 4 tips for what to expect on your first day of Invisalign:
Tip 1: Practice your speech!
Your first day with Invisalign will be a small change from what you’re used to, but it won’t be long before Invisalign becomes your new normal.
Some patients experience a minor lisp when they first start wearing Invisalign clear aligners. This is normal and temporary! It can require a little extra effort to properly enunciate words when you first start speaking with Invisalign, but most people adapt their speech within a week or two.
There are a few exercises you can practice to help enunciate certain sounds, especially “s” and “shh” sounds that can be more challenging with clear aligners. Try these exercises to get rid of Invisalign lisp:
- Practice pronouncing “sss” “shh” “th” and “ch” with your tongue pushing downward, instead of upward.
- Take note of the words you struggle to pronounce properly and practice them over and over again until your mouth muscles get used to the new positions.
- Practice tongue movement to loosen up and strengthen your tongue muscles! Move your tongue side-to-side and up-and-down to help train your tongue for new sounds.
According to a study published by the Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, 83% of Invisalign wearers get used to their aligners within one week and 93% of wearers say that clear aligners did not inhibit their speech.
It’s likely that you don’t have any problems speaking with Invisalign!
Tip 2: Try Invisalign Chewing Exercises
When you first place your clear aligners in your mouth, they may not snap into place right away. (That’s the point of treatment – to move your teeth into new positions!) This can require you to fully seat the aligner, or ‘click’ it into place.
There are a number of Invisalign chewing exercises you can practice to fit new clear aligners in place on your first day, and throughout your treatment. Chewing also stimulates tooth movement to support the treatment process!
Clear aligner “chewies” are small circular cushions that you can bite down on to help your clear aligners fit in place. Here’s how to do it:
- Position the chewie between your upper and lower teeth and bite down repeatedly.
- Move the chewie to different areas (between your front teeth, canine teeth and back teeth) and continue biting down until the clear aligners seem to snap into place.
Tip 3: Know that any discomfort is temporary.
Does Invisalign hurt the first day? According to the same study published by the Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, 35% of Invisalign patients have no pain and 54% reported mild pain that lasted for only 2 to 3 days following the initial insertion of clear aligners.
You may experience some minor soreness or tenderness around your gums as your teeth adjust to the pressure of your clear aligners. This can be resolved by placing orthodontic wax on the edges of your aligner or by taking Tylenol. You can also try a salt water rinse (½ tsp salt with ½ cup warm water) to alleviate sensitivity.
When you visit us for your complimentary exam, we will tell you everything you need to know to prepare for your Invisalign treatment. Patient education is important to us!
Tip 4: Start smiling with confidence!
You can start smiling knowing that you’re doing what it takes to create your new smile! Remind yourself how rewarding the process will be and know that any challenges you experience will only make you stronger. Before you know it, you’ll see great progress in your smile.
Our team is here to support you and help you adjust to your new life with braces or Invisalign. Check out some of our other successful Invisalign transformations for a sneak peek of what your smile could look like!
Still have questions about Invisalign?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We are an experienced family orthodontist, here to guide you through your treatment process – from your very first visit to your last appointment.
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Montgomery, Millbrook or Wetumpka, AL, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.
