written by Dr Shaik Farhatulla, Reviewed by Dr satish Chandra date: 09.07.2025 "What to Expect in the First Week of Wearing Mydent Aligners" Starting your orthodontic journey with Mydent aligners is an exciting step toward a straighter, healthier smile. But like any new experience, the first week can feel a little unfamiliar. Don’t worry—most of the sensations and challenges are temporary and completely normal. This article will walk you through what to expect and how to manage your first week with ease, comfort, and confidence. 😬 1. Mild Discomfort or Pressure – It’s Normal! You may feel some tightness or soreness in your teeth during the first few days—this means your aligners are working! It typically lasts 2–3 days It’s a sign your teeth are responding to the gentle pressure You can manage it with mild pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen Reference: Kravitz ND et al. (2009) reported that initial discomfort is common but tends to reduce with each new aligner. Source: Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009;135(1):27–35. 2. Getting Used to the Fit and Feel Your aligners are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth. At first, they may feel: Tight A bit bulky Difficult to remove (don’t worry, it gets easier!) Tips: Use both hands to remove them evenly Try chewies to help seat them properly Always store them in a case when not in your mouth Reference: Phan X & Ling PH (2007) emphasized that aligner adaptation improves within days as patients get accustomed to insertion/removal routines. Source: J Can Dent Assoc. 2007;73(3):263–266. 💬 3. Slight Speech Changes You may have a slight lisp at first due to the thin plastic covering your teeth. This is temporary—most people adjust within 1–3 days by simply: Reading aloud Talking more often Practicing certain tricky words (like “S” and “Sh”) 🧼 4. New Oral Hygiene Habits Wearing aligners means your oral hygiene routine becomes more important than ever: Brush and floss after every meal before putting aligners back in Rinse aligners with water when removing them Clean aligners daily with non-abrasive soap, gentle brushing, or aligner cleaning crystals Reference: Boyd RL (2008) notes the importance of hygiene with aligner therapy to prevent plaque accumulation and white spots. Source: J Dent Educ. 2008;72(8):948–957. 🥤 5. Changes to Eating and Drinking For best results: Remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything except water Hot beverages can warp the plastic Avoid sugary drinks or snacks with aligners in Tip: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid dry mouth. 🕒 6. Stick to 20–22 Hours/Day This is key! Aligners work only when they’re in your mouth. During your first week, build the habit of: Wearing them at least 20–22 hours per day Tracking wear time with apps or reminders Only removing them for meals and brushing Reference: Papadimitriou et al. (2018) found that consistent wear was the strongest predictor of successful aligner treatment. Source: Prog Orthod. 2018;19(1):8. 📆 7. First Week = Foundation Week By the end of the first week, you’ll: Be more comfortable with daily routines Notice slight tooth movement Feel more confident and motivated 📚 References Kravitz ND, Kusnoto B, Agran B, Viana G. How well does Invisalign work? Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009;135(1):27–35. Phan X, Ling PH. Clinical limitations of Invisalign. J Can Dent Assoc. 2007;73(3):263–266. Papadimitriou A, Mousoulea S, Gkantidis N, Kloukos D. Clinical effectiveness of Invisalign® orthodontic treatment: A systematic review. Prog Orthod. 2018;19(1):8. Boyd RL. Esthetic orthodontic treatment using Invisalign. J Dent Educ. 2008;72(8):948–957. Proffit WR, Fields HW, Sarver DM. Contemporary Orthodontics. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2012.