invisalign retainer for do clear aligners hurt blog

Does Invisalign Hurt? 

One of the biggest reasons why people get Invisalign in Ottawa is because of how discreet it is. After all, each smooth aligner is crafted out of practically invisible materials, making it blend right in with your smile. 

But another aspect of wearing clear braces is the advantage that they have when it comes to comfort. After all, Invisalign doesn’t have any irritating metal wires or brackets that can potentially rub the inside of your mouth.

Does that mean Invisalign is totally pain-free?

Let’s break down the various aspect of this clear aligner system to see how it compares comfort-wise against traditional orthodontics.

Related Reading: How Does the Invisalign Process Work: Step-By-Step

Does Invisalign Hurt Less or More Than Getting Braces?

Most people who have worn both types of braces (such as individuals who had orthodontic treatment at a young age, experienced relapse, and then later got Invisalign) say that Invisalign is more comfortable than wearing orthodontic systems with brackets and wires. 

Why? Because each of the aligners is shaped to follow the natural contour of your mouth. So, it’s smoother and there aren’t any rigid extensions coming off your teeth. 

Plus, you don’t have to bother with monthly adjustments where the bands or wires are tightened to move your teeth. Instead, every week, you change your aligners out on your own, offering a more gradual tooth movement that’s gentler on your mouth. 

If you’re looking for the most comfortable braces or are worried about potential soreness during treatment, then Invisalign may be the best option for your needs. 

Does Invisalign Hurt Your Gums?

Since Invisalign trays only cover your teeth, they’re not likely to irritate your gums. However, every now and then there might be a small area where the aligner comes up high enough to touch your gum tissue. If you haven’t had great oral hygiene and are experiencing symptoms of gingivitis — specifically, swollen gums — it might cause the Invisalign trays to press into your gum tissues and possibly irritate them. 

The good news is that gingivitis is reversible. If you start brushing your gum lines daily and flossing at least once a day, you can get rid of the swelling so that Invisalign doesn’t hurt your gums. Remember, your gums shouldn’t be puffy to the point where your aligners are pressing into them. But if there’s a rough edge for any reason and it feels sharp on your gums, our Ottawa Orthodontist office can quickly smooth it out for you. 

Does Invisalign Hurt Your Teeth?

With any type of orthodontic treatment, you’re going to experience some pressure and tightness on your teeth. It’s that mild force that causes your teeth to straighten out over time. 

Except with Invisalign, that movement is divided out with a little less pressure every couple of weeks (when you change out your aligners) as opposed to more significant movement every six weeks (when regular braces are adjusted). Although neither one is essentially painful, some short-term discomfort can last for a day or two every time you experience orthodontic tooth movement. With Invisalign, it’s a lot less likely. 

Does Invisalign Hurt Your Tongue?

There’s a good chance you’ll be able to feel the edges of your Invisalign trays with your tongue. After all, your tongue is extremely delicate and can pick up on even the most minor changes in your teeth (like rough or chipped edges.) 

When our tongue picks up on a foreign object inside of our mouth — like Invisalign trays — some of us have the tendency to keep going back to feel that area over and over. And if your tongue is constantly rubbing the edge of your orthodontic aligner, it could eventually get sore or even hurt if you irritate it too much. 

Occasionally, clear aligners might have an edge that feels a little rough when you run your finger over it. For your tongue, it might even feel sharp. If that’s ever the case, bring it by to have us smooth it out for you. 

However when it comes to everyday soreness, Invisalign braces doesn’t hurt your tongue!

Does Invisalign Hurt at First?

Starting orthodontic treatment takes a bit of getting used to for anyone. The great news is that any initial adjustments or soreness can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. One or two doses is usually all you need. After that, your mouth will typically get used to the mild pressure that your braces or Invisalign trays put on them. In fact, when you move from one phase of treatment to the next, you might not need any pain reliever at all. 

Does Invisalign Hurt Less Over Time?

Yes! Any minor soreness that you experienced when you first started Invisalign usually becomes a thing of the past. You might not notice it at all. 

However — there are things you could be doing that cause your teeth to hurt more than they should. A couple examples include not wearing your trays as prescribed, not keeping your aligners in your mouth long enough each day or moving on to the next set of trays before you’re supposed to. 

As long as you keep wearing your Invisalign as prescribed — for a minimum of 22 hours per day and each set for one week at a time — you can expect a pretty consistent, comfortable experience!

How Many Days Does Invisalign Hurt?

If you experience any amount of pain during your Invisalign treatment, it will usually only be the first few days of your therapy, and then a day or two each time you change out the trays. Anything past that isn’t normal. Even then, the soreness should be minimal to moderate, never severe. 

Does it Matter Which Invisalign Provider I See? 

Choosing an experienced Invisalign provider can help you enjoy a predictable and efficient teeth straightening experience.  At Braces Haven, Dr. Charles Cohen has helped transform many of the Ottawa-area’s smiles, offering the opportunity for straighter, healthier, more beautiful teeth to people of all ages. 

Does Invisalign sound like the right treatment for you? Request a free exam and consultation at Braces Haven to find out if you’re a candidate for this state-of-the-art invisible treatment. We offer flexible scheduling and payment options!