Could You Have an Allergy to Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners are clear orthodontic devices that serve as dental braces and can adjust your teeth into their proper position. They’ve become really popular in recent years due to their practical and efficient nature. They’re removable and transparent, so it almost feels like you’re not even wearing braces at all. And yet, they still have the power to straighten and align your teeth gradually.

You can check out this link to learn more about Invisalign, but let’s address the elephant in the room first. You’re probably wondering whether you could have an Invisalign allergy, and the simple answer is yes. Although these allergies are rare, some people are susceptible to being allergic to Invisalign or, rather, to the material that the clear aligner is made of. So, let’s learn more about it.

How Does an Invisalign Allergy Work?

So, how does an Invisalign allergy work exactly? Well, as we’ve mentioned, it’s an allergy that occurs in patients with sensitivity to plastic. That means it’s usually an allergy to Invisalign plastic. However, an Invisalign latex allergy is also a thing, and some other complications may also get into the mix.

If you happen to have a plastic allergy, any contact will be sure to trigger a response. And, well, Invisalign is made out of plastic, and the aligner will have constant contact with the inner parts of your mouth, so your teeth, gums, and tongue will all feel irritated as a result of your plastic allergy.

Invisalign Allergy Symptoms

While an Invisalign allergy is uncommon, it can still happen, so be sure to contact your dentist and discuss your options if you feel any of the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Severe itching or a burning sensation inside of your mouth
• Swelling of areas in your mouth, such as your gums or tongue

How to Test for Invisalign Allergy

Being cautious is a good thing, so if you suspect that you might have a plastic allergy, your best bet is to discuss it with your dentist. Let them know that you’re fearful of the possibility of an allergic reaction. They will be sure to provide you with guidance and direct you toward doing a plastic test.

So, the way a plastic test works is that the dentist will have you take a small piece of the Invisalign material, and then the piece will be attached to your skin. After that, they will have you wear that for a couple of days. There are ultimately two outcomes to this situation. If your skin reacts to the test, it probably means you have an allergy to the Invisalign material, and if it doesn’t, you’re all set to get your clear aligners. It’s important, however, not to try this test by yourself and instead to do it under your dentist’s careful supervision. Aside from undergoing a plastic test, you can also do an allergy test.

How Serious Are the Allergic Reactions?

The good thing is that even if you’re unfortunate enough to experience an allergic reaction, it probably won’t be anything serious or painful. Your gums, tongue, and teeth might feel itchy or tingly, and you might even feel a bit of pain, but it won’t be anything too bothersome, and you won’t have to drop the treatment entirely.

However, in rarer cases, patients who suffer from more extreme forms of allergy will have to contact their dentist as soon as possible. These patients will have more serious allergic reactions, such as breathing problems, hyperventilation, and chest pains. In such cases, your dentist will strongly suggest against using Invisalign.

How to Deal With Allergy to Invisalign

As you’ve probably gathered, a mild allergy does not mean you have to stop using Invisalign. After all, many people realize they’re allergic only after beginning the treatment. There are things you can do to relieve the symptoms of the allergy, so don’t despair. Mainly, make sure to drink a lot of cold water as the day goes on. Additionally, regular teeth cleanings can also be extremely helpful. Lastly, make sure to have regular check-ups with your dentist so that they can monitor your allergy and keep it under control.

Invisalign Food Allergy Triggers

An allergy to plastic isn’t the only type of allergy you can experience. Sometimes, your Invisalign problems have nothing to do with the aligner at all. Instead, your allergic reactions could be due to your food allergies. Now, many people with food allergies try to approach things carefully and monitor what they consume. However, even the most careful among us can make mistakes, so the food allergens might accidentally find their way into your mouth.

But where does Invisalign fit into this equation? Well, after ingesting food allergens, you’ll put Invisalign back into your mouth, which will cause the food traces to linger on the inside of it.

This problem is relatively simple to solve. All you need to do is clean your aligner more often and brush your teeth thoroughly to keep this issue from happening again. Remember that if you suffer from more extreme food allergies, like a nut allergy, you should always discuss things with your dentist, and they may even suggest getting a brand new aligner just to be safe. Also, some allergens will stick to your aligner and might be extra hard to get rid of entirely, even with the help of baking soda.

Invisalign Irritation

Invisalign can also trigger irritation in people who have dry mouths and don’t produce enough saliva. At first glance, the symptoms may be hard to differentiate from a typical allergy reaction. However, this issue stems from problems with saliva production due to the presence of an aligner in your mouth. But, you can simply try to stay hydrated and ask your dentist for additional advice and recommendations to solve the problem.