If your tray is “stuck”, you can try taking it out from both sides. To do this, reach with both hands and loosen it from the back teeth first, then loosen it from the front teeth. On the upper arch, loosen the aligner first from the inside portions of the back teeth, then move to the outside portions of the back teeth, then the front teeth. Apply pressure until both sides pop out. If this fails, you can tug on the tray from the front. If you have “buttons” also known as Invisalign attachments, it might be a little tighter, so apply more pressure than usual. [2] X Research source Never take your trays out from the front if you have attachments. Doing this could break the attachments. [3] X Research source
Don’t worry about brushing too hard or brushing in a special way. Attachments are not like brackets, so they do not require special attention. Brush your teeth like normal. [5] X Research source Brushing your teeth is not necessary, however, it is highly recommended by orthodontists. [6] X Research source For a more refreshed feel, rinse your mouth with mouthwash. This is optional. Some people like to rinse with mouthwash, others do not. Do whatever is best for you.
At this point, do not throw your old trays out. You might still need them if your new trays do not fit. [8] X Research source You can also clean your new trays with the “cleaning crystals” that you should have. However, rinsing is usually enough. [9] X Research source To use cleaning crystals, set your trays down on a flat surface and pour a few crystals into your trays. Wet your toothbrush and begin brushing your trays. The crystal will dissolve into your trays and brighten your trays. [10] X Research source
The easiest way to tell if the trays fit or not is to see how easily you can take them in and out of your mouth. If they are really tight and require a lot of pressure to take off, then you are not ready to switch trays yet. If your trays feel way too tight and they cause you extreme pain, you should wear your previous trays for an additional day. Trays that fit way too tightly should not be worn. Note that they will be a bit snug at first no matter what, but this is completely normal. As long as they don’t hurt a lot, you should be fine. If you want to reduce soreness when changing to a new tray, try switching your aligner at night before bed. This ensures several hours of continuous aligner wear and can help decrease soreness. You can use “chewies” to help them fit at first. To use the chewies, place them in between trays, and bite up and down on the chewies until your Invisalign fits tighter. [12] X Research source
Holding a cold cloth up to your face can help relieve the pain. Resting the cloth on your gums can also work too. Sucking on ice cubes can help to numb the pain. If you are in a lot of pain, consider taking over the counter medicine to help relieve it. Ask your doctor or dentist about pain killers that work. Tylenol, Advil, and aspirin are the most popular choices in places like North America when it comes to orthodontic pain. Do not overdose yourself or your child when using medication. Use only the amount prescribed to you by the instructions or your doctor. Massaging your jaw and gums helps the circulation. Massaging your mouth area helps to relieve the pain. Using wax strips can sometimes help to relieve the pain. To use them, take a tiny bit of the wax and place it where the tray/teeth hurt. [15] X Research source If any portion of the tray is sharp, use your Invisalign filer to make it smooth. The filer works like a nail filer so simply file off the sharp part of the tray until it feels smooth. [16] X Research source Do not file the tray off too much, otherwise it could be ineffective in moving your teeth. To avoid filing off too much of the tray, only file until the tray looks/feels right. Once the tray is smooth, stop filing.
Consult your orthodontist about foods that you can eat with Invisalign. Some foods you can even eat with your Invisalign in! Some of the best foods to eat when putting a new tray in are: Berries & Fruit Cooked vegetables Pasta and bread Soup Soft meats such as fish
Things that might seem off or unusual would be extreme pain, trays that don’t fully cover the teeth, broken parts of a tray, teeth not tracking (aka teeth not moving accordingly) and trays that are too big or too small for the teeth.
