Aside from traditional dental braces (consists of metal wires and brackets) Invisalign is used to correct a misaligned bite or malocclusion. Invisalign are custom fitted clear aligners used to manage malocclusion. They are also known as invisible braces because they are hardly noticeable by people around you.

Pain is the most common side effect of any orthodontic treatment because an amount of force is needed to properly position a misaligned bite. Invisalign is less painful compared to traditional braces because of the lack of metal wires that can aggravate your gums. These aligners are made from comfortable plastic that is placed on your teeth. Although there is little pain experienced, you can rest assured that these aligners are able to deliver the force required in straightening your misaligned bite.

The discomfort felt in using Invisalign is alleviated by following these simple Invisalign pain management guidelines:

• Choose soft diet if soreness of the teeth and gums are felt. Avoid eating hard or crunchy foods when you experience pain in your teeth and gums. Soft foods allow little effort in chewing thus minimizing the discomfort felt.

• Use cold compress over the painful area. Cold compress helps in minimizing pain by numbing the nerve endings in the affected area. Place the cold compress against your cheek for 10 minutes. You can repeat this process two to three times a day.

• Use over-the-counter pain medication. If cold compress does not alleviate the discomfort felt, you may take over-the-counter pain medication following the instructions included in the drug container.

• Switch to a new set of aligners before bed time. Most pain is usually felt in switching to new aligners. If you switch prior to bed time, you may not experience pain because you are asleep when the pain sets in.

• Keep your Invisalign on. Wear your Invisalign following the schedule your orthodontist has prescribed you.