If you have Invisalign and have experienced swollen lips, tongue, or gums, you may be unsure of why this has occurred. Although there a few different reasons patients experience swelling, it often arises when the edge of the Invisalign aligner features a length or positioning that rubs against the lips, tongue, or gums and causes swelling and irritation.
In the event you’ve noticed swelling while wearing Invisalign, you should schedule an appointment at our Wake Forest, NC office. If necessary, Dr. Gladwell will smooth off or trim the aligner edge without compromising the way it fits over your mouth or its ability to move your teeth in the way it’s intended to. Avoid trying to smooth or trim the aligner yourself as doing so incorrectly may lead to a delay in your treatment time.
Swelling may also occur if you are not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly or cleaning your aligners. To prevent swelling, remove your aligners and brush your teeth at least 2 to 3 times a day with a soft bristled toothbrush. You should also use floss to remove any food debris. Be sure to clean your aligners with a special Invisalign cleaning kit as well.
In addition, you should try to avoid bad habits such as biting your nails or lip or chewing on hard items as these habits can worsen swelling and lead to severe discomfort. Our friend Brian Levitin, an Invisalign specialist in Lakewood, Colorado has mentioned that the bad habits of bitting nails or chewing on one’s lips can cause a swollen tongue or lips during Invisalign or other orthodontic procedures. Keep this in mind if you see your sun or daughter biting their nails.
We have often been asked if cellulite could be the cause of swollen lips or gums. From our experience, that is rarely the case but we cannot rule anything out.
Contact Gladwell Orthodontics
If you have made an effort to practice proper oral hygiene and care for your aligners yet are still experiencing swelling, you should contact Gladwell Orthodontics at at 919-453-6325 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Gladwell will take a look at your aligners and evaluate your mouth to determine the cause of the swelling and design a solution.
You can read this article in Spanish here – Invisalign – labios, lengua o encías hinchadas, ¿debería preocuparme?
