Maybe you had braces as an eighth grader but weren’t the best about wearing your retainer. Or perhaps you have one slightly crooked tooth that you’ve always wanted to fix. Whatever the reason, you’ve probably been curious about Invisalign, the clear, mouth-guard-like trays that straighten your teeth. But before you make the investment, here are some things to consider.
6 Things That Might Happen If You Get Invisalign
•
Published Jul 24, 2017
Jasmina007/getty images
You Might Have a (Slight) Lisp
But only for the first few days. As you adjust to having the trays in your mouth, your speech will return back to normal.
You Might Get Some Headaches
Aches and pains are normal in the first few weeks as your body acclimates to the movement of your teeth. This can manifest as toothaches, gum sensitivities and headaches. But nothing a couple Tylenol can’t fix until you settle into your new routine.
You Might Chip a Few Manicures
Taking off your trays can be a tad challenging at times. The trick is to remove them by lifting up from the back of your teeth first, and then pop off the remainder of the tray. When putting them back on, reverse the order: Snap them onto your front teeth first, and then push the rest of the tray down into place.
Aleksandar Nakic/Getty Images
You Might Have to Get Used to Drinking from Straws
While some people take their trays out every time they eat or drink anything other than water, we’ve found that sipping carefully through a straw works fine. Just make sure not to drink anything hot as it can warp the plastic trays.
You Might Lose a Little Weight
The recommended wear time of your trays is 22 hours. And since you’re supposed to brush your teeth after every meal, it really does make you think twice about having extra snacks throughout the day. On that note, if you’re ever tempted to skip brushing, remember that whatever food particles are left over from lunch are going to sit in your trays for hours.
People Images/Getty Images
You Might Become Obsessed with Dental Hygiene
Between the regular check-ins with your dentist (usually every five weeks or so in the beginning) and the increased brushing, this is probably the most attention you’ve paid to your teeth—ever. Not all of this is bad, though, because think of how good your smile will look once it’s over.
