Long term side effects of Invisalign: Is it Really That Bad?
The Invisalign treatment is one of the most popular treatments for straightening the teeth. This is because it has a 90% success rate which is more than any other type of braces. However, not all people who get this treatment are completely satisfied with it. Some of them complain about certain side effects of this treatment. If you are one of them, then I suggest you consult your orthodontist for this treatment as it also have some side effects as traditional braces. So, let me tell you about 8 serious side effects of Invisalign braces and how to deal with them.
Common Invisalign Side effects & their Solutions:
1. Painful and uncomfortable sensations in your mouth:
This is one of the most common Invisalign side effects. Many people feel a little bit of discomfort while wearing the aligners but they will overcome it after a few days. But some people experience this discomfort for a long time. In this case, you should contact your orthodontist immediately. This kind of discomfort may indicate that there is a problem with your teeth or the aligners. You should not force yourself to wear these aligners if you are experiencing this kind of discomfort. This will only harm your teeth and the aligners. So, if you are experiencing this kind of discomfort, just stop using the aligners and talk to your orthodontist.
2. Dry mouth and lips:
Another common Invisalign side effect is dry mouth and lips. This is because of the rubber material of the aligners. After a while, this material rubs off on your lips and mouth. To solve this problem, you should use a mouthwash after every use of the aligners. This will remove the dried-up material from your mouth and lips. But remember, you should not use too much mouthwash as it may cause some other problems. So, use only the required amount and stop when you feel discomfort.
3. Bad breath:
The aligners also make your breath smell a little bit. This is because of the rubber material of the aligners. So, to get rid of this bad breath, you should brush and floss your teeth after every use of the aligners. Also, you should not eat garlic or onion for a few days before and after using the aligners. This will help in getting rid of that awful smell.
4. Discolored or darkened tooth enamel:
Another common Invisalign side effect is tooth discoloration. This is caused by the bleaching agent used to lighten your teeth. Over time, this agent could cause your tooth enamel to become yellowish or even brownish. To avoid this, you should use only the whitening strips provided by your orthodontist. But remember, these are only for external use. You should not use them if you are using the Invisalign aligners. So, if you want to keep your tooth enamel white, then you should not use any kind of whitening product.
5. Dry and scaly tongue:
Another common Invisalign side effect is a dry and scaly tongue. This is caused by the bleaching agent used to lighten your teeth. So, to get rid of this problem, you should brush and floss your tongue after every use of the aligners. Also, you should not eat anything with garlic or onion for a few days before and after using the aligners. This will help in getting rid of that awful taste on your tongue.
6. Loss of weight:
Most people who use Invisalign lose a little bit of weight. This is because they are so focused on their treatment that they forget about their daily diet. But this loss of weight is usually not much and it is normal. You should not worry about this. Just make sure that you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods.
7. Stiffness and tenderness in the jaw joints:
Another common Invisalign side effect is stiffness and tenderness in the jaw joints. This is caused by the muscle and tissue tension created by wearing the aligners. So, the solution for this problem is simple. All you have to do is, stop using the aligners and wait for 2-3 weeks.
8. Headache:
This is another common Invisalign side effect. This is caused by the fact that the aligners are made of a special kind of rubber called polyethylene. According to the FDA, this material can cause insomnia. The solution to this problem is simple. All you have to do is, stop using the aligners and wait for 2-3 weeks. To get rid of this headache, you should talk to your orthodontist. He or she will suggest some methods to relieve your headache.
Conclusion:
These are some of the common Invisalign side effects. All of these side effects are not harmful, but if you are experiencing any of these then you should stop using the aligners immediately and go for another treatment. Because if you continue to use these aligners for a long time, you may get serious health problems. So, don’t put yourself through this kind of pain. Just contact your orthodontist if you are experiencing any kind of discomfort and he will solve your problem instantly.
