Your Invisalign trays fit over your teeth, and by design, shouldn't make much contact with the soft tissues in your mouth, like your gums. So why does it feel like your Invisalign treatment is starting to irritate your gums?
Gum Irritation During Treatment
If your gums are irritated while wearing your Invisalign trays, chances are it's not the trays' fault. There might be minimal pressure while closing your mouth, slightly compressing the trays against your teeth and pushing their ridged edges towards your gums. But as mentioned, this will be minimal. The trays are intended to be in a fixed position when slotted over the teeth, so any further movement will be minor. The trays won't experience any real bite pressure either, since you won't be wearing them while you eat (or at least—you really shouldn't be).
Unhealthy Gums
Your gums should be strong enough to stand minimal brief contact with the ridged edges of your trays without being irritated. But this applies to healthy gums. If your gums have become irritated and inflamed due to gingivitis or another periodontal condition, fleeting contact with the edge of an Invisalign tray can certainly cause irritation and even bleeding. In extreme cases, gum inflammation can make the gums physically puffy, which can mean they're more likely to make uncomfortable contact with your trays.
Signs of Irritation
Irritation while wearing your trays won't be the only potential sign of a gum infection. One of the telltale signs is bleeding after brushing your teeth. A small amount of blood can indicate that you accidentally cut your gums while cleaning your teeth, but regular deposits of blood in your saliva after brushing can suggest gingivitis. If untreated, it can advance to a more serious periodontal disease which will disrupt your Invisalign treatment.
Treatment
Treatment for gingivitis is simple. You can consult the orthodontist overseeing your Invisalign treatment, but they'll refer you back to your dentist. A professional cleaning will be performed, removing plaque and tartar from your teeth before polishing them and applying a fluoride treatment. This removes excess bacteria from your teeth, preventing further irritation to your gums—which allows them to heal.
Avoiding gingivitis is essential to ensure the success of your Invisalign treatment. It can generally be avoided by maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene, but it can (and must) be treated if it should affect you during your Invisalign treatment. For more information on Invisalign, contact a professional near you.
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