Why Does Invisalign Trigger Drooling In Some People (And What Can You Do About It)?
Perhaps one of the strangest things to get used to with Invisalign is scheduling your mealtimes. You're probably used to snacking whenever you see fit, and are unlikely to set a time limit on your meals. This changes when you have to wear your Invisalign trays for 22 hours per day. You'll quickly adapt and get used to your new dining time limits. There's one other strange thing about Invisalign that some patients may experience. Why are your new aligner trays making you drool?
Excessive Saliva
Hypersalivation (which is when you produce an excessive amount of saliva) is sometimes a byproduct of clear aligners, such as Invisalign. It won't be an issue for all patients, and it's not considered to be a major problem. But for some users it can seem like, as soon as those trays are inserted into your mouth, you start to drool. Why is this?
A Natural Response
While your taste buds help you to determine if something is edible or not, your overall mouth doesn't know the difference. The thermoplastic aligner trays are a foreign object in your mouth, and once inserted, you may begin to produce excessive saliva. Your body thinks that you're about to start eating, and produces saliva to help break food down and flush it into your digestive tract. Your body is really only trying to help, even though this excessive salivation isn't exactly helpful.
A Temporary Issue
Fortunately, any hypersalivation will be temporary and self-correcting. It's part of the adjustment period for your new aligners. Your salivary glands will quickly stop reacting to the insertion of your aligner trays, and salivation levels will return to normal. They won't have an excessive reaction each time you change to new aligner trays throughout your treatment either.
Short-Term Management
In the short-term, be prepared to manage any excessive saliva, which won't be difficult. You may need to swallow the excess more often, and you may need to have a tissue handy to dab at your mouth. There may be some leakage onto your pillow overnight too. But these are very much short-term concerns, as hypersalivation will quickly pass.
Additional Considerations
Continuing hypersalivation with Invisalign may have another cause. In addition to the hypersalivation triggered by your aligner trays, you may already have elevated levels of saliva production. This can be a side effect of certain medications. If this should be a concern, please speak to your doctor. You may be able to substitute your current medication for one that doesn't contribute to hypersalivation.
Not everyone who starts Invisalign will begin to find extra drool on their pillow in the morning. But even if you should begin to experience hypersalivation, please don't worry. It will pass quickly of its own accord.
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