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Invisalign First-Week Tips: Adjusting to Your New Aligners

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

invisalign-first-week-tips-adjusting-to-your-new-aligners
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • March 16, 2023

Okay! So now you’ve started your Invisalign journey and you’re ready to go. Here’s a brief overview of some Invisalign first-week tips so you know what to expect, from the very first day.

At BHO, we review a few crucial steps that will make sure your BHO Plan runs as smoothly as possible:

  1. Learn how to remove and insert your trays while you’re in the chair. It may seem easy, but practicing in the office can help you avoid a lot of fumbling around at home.
  2. Make sure you are wearing your trays all the time . . . It’s easy to keep snacking and sipping on coffee, etc., & forget to put them back in.
  3. Keep everything FRESH, including your mouth, your trays, and your case. We have a custom cleaning foam that makes it easy for our patients to keep aligner trays sanitary.

Ever since Invisalign was first introduced to the public in the early 2000s, it has changed how we practice orthodontics. As the original form of clear aligner treatment, Invisalign has given orthodontists a way to correct bite issues without brackets or wires. Although braces are still a valuable and highly effective treatment option, Invisalign has won over millions of patients thanks to its discreet look and convenient tray system.

In contrast to braces—which stay attached to your teeth until treatment ends—Invisalign clear aligners can be removed at any time. At the beginning of treatment, you will be given a series of custom-made aligners. Each tray is designed to move teeth in a specific direction. You will wear each tray for 4-14 days before progressing to the next one. Once you have reached the end of your aligner set, you’ll be the proud owner of a perfectly straight smile!

Of course, Invisalign patients must follow certain rules and best practices to guarantee success. If you’re about to begin wearing clear aligners for the first time, follow these Invisalign first-week tips to start your treatment off the right way.

What To Expect as You Begin Invisalign Treatment

Before we offer any specific Invisalign tips, it’s important to know what to expect in general from your first week in clear aligners.

As we have mentioned, Invisalign aligners can be removed at any time. Because your aligners are not fixed, you can enjoy a number of conveniences that braces do not allow. For example, patients with braces cannot eat certain foods to avoid damaging brackets or wires. As an Invisalign patient, you have no such limitations. Simply remove your aligners before every meal and you are free to eat whatever you want!

Removable aligners offer additional benefits as well, including:

  • Simple Oral Care. With Invisalign, you don’t need to alter your brushing and flossing routine. Just brush two times a day and floss at least once daily to keep your smile healthy and cavity-free.
  • Orthodontic Appliance-Free Pictures. Invisalign aligners are completely transparent, making it hard for others to see—or sometimes even notice—that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, if you want to look completely aligner-free at a wedding or other important social event, you can remove your aligners before people start snapping pictures.

In addition to these benefits, you should be prepared for a couple of mild inconveniences. Remember, clear aligners are physically pushing your teeth into new positions. As a result, you can expect at least some of the following effects.

Your Aligners May Feel Tight

If you are expecting your aligners to feel like a mouthguard, you will likely be surprised by how tightly they fit around your teeth. Each aligner is custom-designed to shift teeth in specific directions and preserve overall progress. To accomplish this, aligners must fit closely around your teeth. Don’t be alarmed—after a day or two, once the aligner has shifted your teeth a bit, it will have a more relaxed feel.

Expect Mild Pressure

As your aligners start to move your teeth, you should expect to feel a bit of tenderness in your gums and slight pressure on your jaw. This is a good thing: if you didn’t feel any tenderness, your aligners wouldn’t be working!

Gum and jaw discomfort is most pronounced at the beginning of treatment. After the first week, you will feel decreased pressure as your mouth becomes accustomed to the feel of your aligners. To minimize pressure, we recommend:

  • Eating soft foods whenever your mouth feels tender or sore (e.g., smoothies, soup, eggs, etc.)
  • Wearing your first tray at night so you can sleep through the initial pressure.
  • Massaging your gums.
  • Chewing sugar-free gum.

Your Speech May Sound Different

Like braces, Invisalign can improve your speech once treatment is over. You may sound a bit funny at the beginning, though. Many patients report a slight lisp as treatment begins, but it quickly subsides after practicing their speech for a day or two.

Some patients also report changes in how they hear themselves speak during treatment. They often compare it to hearing themselves on a voice recording. “It sounds like me, but it doesn’t really sound like me.” In these cases, the patients said that others couldn’t perceive a difference, but it took them a little while to get used to the new sounds themselves.

Invisalign First Week Tips: Start Treatment With Good Habits

Now that we’ve covered what to expect during your initial days of treatment, we can focus on how to make the most out of your first week. Follow these Invisalign first-week tips to establish good habits that will guide you throughout the treatment process.

Track How Often You Wear Your Aligners

We cannot stress this enough. You must wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day if you want to see results. We know it’s tempting to take a little “aligner-free” time after a meal or after you brush your teeth, but you must wear them as often as possible to keep your treatment on track.

For best results, you should keep a log or use the Invisalign App to record how often you are wearing your aligners. Though you should aim for 22 hours, you’ll still be ok if you wear them for at least 20 hours per day. Once you become accustomed to wearing aligners throughout the day, you won’t need to log your time as often.

Always Have an Invisalign Case on Your Person

Once removed, Invisalign aligners are surprisingly easy to lose. Even when eating at home, you can quickly lose your aligners, even without leaving the kitchen table. Moreover, it’s tempting to place aligners in convenient—but dirty—places, like countertops and pants pockets.

If you make a habit of keeping a carrying case with you at all times, you will always have a safe, hygienic space to store your aligners.

*Always keep your trays away from pets.

Take Your Oral Hygiene Seriously

Good oral hygiene will help your teeth move more quickly during treatment. For optimal results, remember to brush once in the morning, once at night, and floss at least once a day. After meals, you should rinse your mouth out before replacing your aligners. Finally, you should clean your aligners daily:

  1. Rinse your aligners under cool or lukewarm water from your faucet.
  2. Gently scrub the inside and outside of the tray with your toothbrush.
  3. Use BHO’s Cleaning Foam, cleaning tablets or a sonic cleaner to clean them.

Wondering if Invisalign Is Really for You? Call Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today for a Consultation

When it comes to clear aligner treatment, Invisalign is easily the most popular option on the market—and for good reason. For over 20 years, Invisalign has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in orthodontics. In the hands of an expert like BHO’s Dr. Monica Madan, Invisalign can be used to treat all kinds of bite issues, from mild crowding to severe bite problems.

If you are considering Invisalign for yourself, a consultation at Beverly Hills Orthodontics can help determine whether this treatment is right for you. Located in Beverly Hills, Studio City, Alhambra, or Downtown LA, BHO has been providing top-tier orthodontic care to the Los Angeles community since 2008. Schedule an appointment today to learn how we can improve your smile.

NOTE: All blog content is intended to supplement—NOT REPLACE—the expertise of a healthcare professional and should not be construed in any way as medical advice. Consult a professional orthodontist directly, like the ones at BHO, to assess your individual needs and advise the best course of treatment.

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We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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Saim
Dr. Madan completely transformed my smile with behind the teeth braces. This is one of the few offices that offer Inbrace and I could not be more satisfied. My teeth are so straight that I’m getting veneer accusations! The whole team here is very attentive and all worked together efficiently to deliver me the best results. They were quick to schedule me if I ever needed a comfort appointment and extremely communicative before each visit. The office is also gorgeous and spotless.
Julia G.
Dr. Madan is the best! She has the best energy and her team is so accommodating and easy to work with. I’m extremely happy with my Invisalign treatment and couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. I can’t recommend them enough!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Julia! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Madan and our team. Your satisfaction with your Invisalign treatment means the world to us. We appreciate your recommendation!
Lizzie S.
No one has scheduled my appointment better than Anthony and Dr. Madden is the best doctor!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful recommendation, Lizzie! We're thrilled to be considered the best in the area. Your support means a lot to us!
Alessandra M.
Dr Monica and her staff are just the absolute best. Office is beautiful and clean. Staff is great and kind and have never had any issues whatsoever. The work that she and her staff members do is just 10/10. They are also so welcoming and genuinely kind. Dr Monica and even members of her staff like Anthony will have genuine conversations with you and make you feel the most comfortable. Even during a treatment that many (including myself) are not fond of. (Anything dental related can be scary but they truly put you at peace.) I’m so happy that I made the decision to proceed with treatment here. All questions are always answered. Concerns dealt with. And treatment is impeccable. The results I already have solidify why I’m so happy with my decision to get work done here.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Alessandra. We're thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience. Our team is dedicated to making every visit comfortable and welcoming. Your satisfaction is our priority!
nathalie K.
Very friendly staff & very accommoding. They are very understanding. Everyone here is super welcoming and very nice! Can't wait to see my next appointment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your glowing review, Nathalie! We’re thrilled to hear that you found our team friendly and accommodating. We look forward to welcoming you back at your next appointment!
T W.
I highly recommend Dr Madan at BHO for all of your orthodontic needs. Between her warm personality, knowledge and skill you will have to look no further.
This office constantly has amazing offers and specials that make their treatment pricing EXTREMELY competitive. Trust me, as I’ve gotten consults from just about every provider in town. I am seeing unbelievable results with my Invisalign treatment only a few weeks in. Dr Madan was the obvious choice, as she made this process as minimally invasive as possible. I have been to multiple of her offices and they all are pristine. I would recommend to anyone in the LA area looking for the best provider for their orthodontist!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your glowing review! We're delighted you're experiencing exceptional results with your Invisalign treatment. Dr. Madan strives to create a comfortable and effective orthodontic experience for every patient.
Eva P.
So far I am having an amazing experience with Dr Madan and BHO. I’ve consulted with many Orthos over the years for Invisalign. Almost all said I would have to extract a tooth to solve over crowding issue on bottom teeth. Within literally 5 weeks of Invisalign, my bottom teeth are almost completely straightened out already. I cannot believe how fast this treatment is working. Not to mention, I had tradition braces in the past and my teeth fully reverted to their original form. It took over 4 years to correct my crowding with braces the first time, back in the day.

How incredible Dr Madan and her staff is , along with her immaculate offices deserves its own second review. 10/10 experience so far highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Eva! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Madan and our team. It’s rewarding to see your progress with Invisalign. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
valeria
Overall the best experience, definitely helped me get my self confidence back with my smile!!🥰
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your feedback, Val! It’s fantastic to know that we positively impacted your self-confidence and smile. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience! We’re here for you anytime you need us.
Bardia A.
Monica and her team are so nice and professional. The experience has always been welcoming and the office was always clean and I felt totally comfortable coming in during the pandemic. They took every precaution and were so great to work with.
Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. We work very hard every day to exceed our patients’ expectations!
Justin H.
We have loved working with the team at Beverly Hills Orthodontics. We had 2 kids go through the Invisalign plan and they were always so nice and helpful in explaining everything. What a difference the program made!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
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