It’s normal to be a little nervous about starting orthodontic treatment. It’s a new experience, after all!
Before you begin Invisalign® treatment with Dr. Matsumoto, you may have a few questions: Will I be able to talk? What will it feel like? We’ve heard these questions before and we love that you’re thinking ahead!
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.
Here’s what to expect on your first day of Invisalign:
Speaking with Invisalign
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 also 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 possible that you don’t have any problems speaking with Invisalign!
Invisalign Chewing Exercises
When you first place your clear aligners in your mouth, they may not hug your teeth right away. (That’s the point of treatment – to move your teeth into new positions!) This can make it challenging to fully seat the aligner.
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.
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. Salt water rinses are a great way to provide gentle relief! Simply add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and swish the mixture around to relieve soreness.
You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol to reduce discomfort and/or inflammation. As your teeth get used to wearing clear aligners, any discomfort will subside.
When you visit us for your complimentary consultation at our Porters Neck office in Wilmington, NC, we will tell you everything you need to know to prepare for your Invisalign treatment. Patient education is important to us!
Our team is here to help you adjust to your new life with braces or Invisalign.
Still have questions about Invisalign?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! Dr. Matsumoto is a highly-experienced orthodontist providing expert Invisalign treatment for all ages. If Invisalign isn’t your preferred treatment option, we offer advanced BRIUS (hidden) braces, clear self-ligating braces and metal self-ligating braces too!
Our team is dedicated to helping you find the right solution – whatever it may be. Request your complimentary consultation today to begin your journey!
