Most people desire to have straight teeth, and now thanks to clear Aligners, which are similar to a brace treatment, you can get the smile you want. However, there is one common concern that people have before they take on any treatment, do clear Aligners hurt? There is no denying that any orthodontic treatment such as this is going to cause you discomfort and pain at some point. If someone told you it was painless, they wouldn’t be being truthful with you. The pain, however, reduces over time and the very fact that you are experiencing discomfort and pain suggests that the Aligners treatment is working effectively. Which is what you want at the end of the day.
Why have an aligner fitted?
Many of us would like to have the smile we dream of. Straight teeth all perfectly aligned, but not all of us are blessed with that and over the years our teeth may have got crooked or not come through as they should have done. This is when people consider aligner treatment. Whether you are a teenager or adult, you can consider clear Aligners and they can finally give you the confidence that you crave when it comes to smiling. However, one sticking point that tends to put people off is the pain.
Dealing with the pain during aligner treatment
Pain is always a stumbling block when it comes to considering aligner treatment. Not everyone can handle pain, and we all have different pain thresholds. Some will find the aligner treatment easier than others, there is no denying that. So what can you do about it? After all, you don’t want this to be the reason standing in your way. Thankfully there are some great ways to help you deal with the pain and discomfort that you might experience during Aligners treatment. While the pain is temporary and may not be consistent, it is worth noting some of these tips so that you can feel more comfortable going about your day to day life. With that in mind, here are some tips to deal with pain during the Aligners treatment.
Painkillers
It may sound like an obvious suggestion but people can be quick to ignore the power of a simple painkiller during this process. Paracetamol can dull the ache and discomfort that you may be feeling and enable you to get on with your day. While you may not want to be popping painkillers all of the time, this could be an ideal toon for when the pain is more unbearable than at other times. Perhaps after treatment when most of the discomfort may be felt.
A warm saline rinse
This is a method that has been around for some time, but you could really benefit from it if you are feeling some pain and discomfort after and during Aligner treatment. Take some lukewarm water and add a pinch of salt to it. Then rinse this around your mouth. You can do this up to six times a day if you wish. It can also help you to ensure that you keep your mouth clean and hygienic. So there are two main benefits for using this option to help you relieve some pain in the mouth area.
Ice-cold foods can help
We all know that ice cold options can numb the pain, such as adding ice to a swelling or injury externally, the same process can be used for your mouth to help numb the pain. You could consider eating ice-cold treats like ice pops or ice cubes, just make sure you remove your aligner before biting down on them. The cold will help to numb the pain in your mouth and give you some relief from the discomfort you may have been experiencing. Any frozen foods could work, and many consider freezing fruit as a healthy snack as well as treatment for pain.
Use wax to help relieve pain in specific areas
While it may not always be the best idea to put a barrier between your teeth and the aligner, a wax cushion can help in specific areas a short term relief of pain. This is an option to consider, if for example, one tooth is specifically sore and more so than other areas of your mouth. Don’t consistently do this as it may hinder the process and development of your aligner treatment.
If you have new Aligners, use them at night
There is no denying that when you have new Aligners to use that the pain can be harder to handle as your mouth gets used to them. A great tip is to use them at night. While you are sleeping, you may be oblivious to the discomfort and it will give you time to adjust to the new Aligners. While it may not always be an option to do this, it is worth trying to ensure that you give your mouth time to adjust over a period of time, and at night is the ideal option to do it. Especially as you are more relaxed.
Visit your dentist regularly
A lot of people just want to get on with the aligner treatment and perhaps rush the process, but it is essential to have regular visits with your dentist while undergoing the treatment. Your dentist can keep track of the progress you are making with your aligner treatment and also help when it comes to any pain or discomfort that you may be experiencing. Ignoring the pain can cause more harm than good, especially if it could be easily rectified by visiting the dentist and checking everything is as it should be.
So there you have it. A quick overview of how you can deal with pain when it comes to having aligner treatment. There are a few different methods to try and many of them can be done during the process, so you don’t have to stick with one method. Find something that works for you. But don’t let pain be the reason that you don’t consider aligner treatment in the future.
