Invisalign has become an increasingly popular choice for adults looking to straighten their teeth. The clear plastic aligners allow you to improve your smile discreetly. However, some patients report experiencing a sore throat after starting Invisalign treatment.
At Lansdowne Family Dental, we are often asked:
“Can Invisalign cause a sore throat?”
In this blog post, we’ll explore:
- An overview of Invisalign treatment
- What causes Invisalign sore throat
- Tips to prevent and relieve Invisalign sore throat
- When to contact your Lansdowne Family Dental dentist
What is Invisalign?
Before examining what causes sore throats with Invisalign, let’s quickly recap what Invisalign aligners are and how they work.
- Custom-fit clear plastic aligners
- Worn in sets, each for 1-2 weeks
- Gently moves teeth into place over several months
- More discreet alternative to metal braces
- Removable for eating, brushing, flossing
Your Lansdowne Family Dental dentist will map out your Invisalign treatment plan. They will show you a virtual representation of how your teeth will move with each set of aligners.
What Causes Invisalign Sore Throat
Many patients report a sore, irritated throat after starting Invisalign treatment.
There are a few potential causes of Invisalign sore throat:
1. Rubbing and Irritation
The thin plastic of Invisalign aligners sits tightly against the inside of your lips, cheeks, and throat. As you speak and swallow, the aligners can rub and irritate these tissues. This causes soreness or swelling.
Some common sore spots include:
- The sides of the throat
- The back of the mouth
- Areas where the aligner edges press into the mouth
This irritation is often worse when you first begin wearing aligners. Your mouth needs time to adjust to having a foreign object inside it.
2. Increased Saliva and Mucus Production
The plastic covering inside your mouth triggers your salivary glands to produce more saliva. Your body also responds by secreting more mucus to coat and protect oral tissues.
Excess saliva and mucus can cause:
- Swallowing discomfort
- Feeling like you need to clear your throat often
- A scratchy, irritated throat
3. Allergic Reaction
In rare cases, the materials used to create Invisalign aligners can cause an allergic reaction. Signs may include:
- Red, inflamed throat
- Swelling inside mouth
- Itchy mouth, lips, or throat
- Hives or rash
If you experience severe symptoms like trouble breathing or swallowing, contact our Lansdowne Family Dental office immediately.
4. Poor Oral Hygiene
Keeping Invisalign aligners clean is crucial during treatment. Bacteria, plaque buildup, and fungi inside the aligners can lead to:
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
- Gum inflammation
- Sore throat
Be sure to remove aligners before eating so food debris doesn’t get trapped inside. Brush and rinse your aligners daily.
Tips to Prevent Invisalign Sore Throat
While some discomfort is normal at first, following these tips can help prevent a painful Invisalign sore throat:
- Gargle with warm saltwater – This helps soothe irritation and loosen mucus.
- Try over-the-counter throat lozenges – Look for numb-soothing formulas.
- Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash – This kills bacteria inside your mouth.
- Avoid irritating foods and drinks – Spicy, acidic, crunchy, or hard foods can worsen throat pain.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of cool water to keep your throat moist.
- Take anti-inflammatories – Ibuprofen or acetaminophen helps reduce swelling.
- Rinse aligners before inserting – Prevent bacteria buildup with regular cleaning.
- See your Lansdowne Family Dental dentist – We can trim rough aligner edges that may be rubbing your throat.
While it may take a week or two to adjust, following these self-care tips will help relieve Invisalign’s sore throat. Let us know if symptoms do not improve.
When to Call Your Dentist About Invisalign Sore Throat
Mild discomfort when starting Invisalign aligners is normal. However, call our Lansdowne Family Dental office if you experience:
- Severe, lasting pain when swallowing
- Redness, swelling, or white/yellow patches
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache, dizziness, fever
- Blood when you cough
- Weight loss, trouble eating
These may indicate an infection like strep throat, oral thrush, or periodontitis gum disease.
Prolonged Invisalign sore throat can also disrupt oral treatment. Your aligners may not fit properly if your mouth is inflamed or swollen.
Our dentists can examine your throat and determine the proper treatment steps. This may include adjusting your Invisalign plan or prescribing medication to resolve infection or inflammation.
Do not hesitate to call Lansdowne Family Dental if mouth pain prevents you from wearing aligners. Getting timely care prevents setting back your Invisalign progress.
Can Invisalign Cause a Sore Throat? – The Takeaway
While Invisalign has many benefits, users often report sore throat discomfort, especially when beginning treatment. Aligner rubbing, excess mucus, allergies, and poor hygiene may trigger throat pain.
Practicing good oral care, rinsing regularly, avoiding irritants, and trying at-home remedies alleviate most symptoms. However, contact Lansdowne Family Dental right away for severe throat swelling, redness, or pain that impedes wearing aligners.
We are here to maximize the effectiveness of your Invisalign while minimizing discomfort. Reach out with any questions or concerns about adjusting to Invisalign treatment.
