Well I did a thing. As you can see from the title of this post, I started something new, Invisalign! It’s new and weird and a little bit painful (sometimes a lot a bit painful). I’m only 6 days in and I’m not entirely sure what I think about it, but I thought I’d share my initial thoughts. Then I can continue to share my thoughts and tips as I go along in case anyone out there is thinking about starting Invisalign!
Why I started Invisalign
I didn’t actually start Invisalign because I didn’t like my smile. In fact, I felt completely happy and confident in my smile and how my teeth looked. Yes I had a couple of rotated teeth on the bottom and my front teeth were a little crooked after shifting over the past couple of years, but it didn’t bother me. It was my dentist that actually recommended that I go to an orthodontist because my bite was off and my gums started receding on a few teeth because of it. Not only that, but my shifted front top teeth were now rubbing against my lower front teeth causing me to grind them in my sleep. This could result in short, stubby bottom teeth later in life. Not exactly something you want to hear. After talking to my dentist, I decided to go to the orthodontist to see what they had to say. The dentist’s fears were confirmed and I decided to go ahead with it. The Invisalign would fix my bite to keep my gums from receding and my teeth from grinding, plus I’d get a beautiful straight smile in the process. An 18-20 month process I might add.
Left picture without Invisalign and Right picture with it in. I can already see a little difference. I hope I remember to keep taking these pictures to see the progression over time! So my story begins here at the beginning of December 2018. It’ll likely continue until at least June 2020, and since I’m paying for it, you better believe I’m sticking to it!
*Side note: I have never had braces or a retainer before, so this is completely new to me!
I wanted to share some of my initial thoughts, feelings and agitations about the Invisalign after just having them in for a few days.
My teeth hurt.
When I first put them in, I noticed that they felt tight but after just an hour or so, my teeth felt achy and painful. It’s not just in one place, but all over. Not only that, the ache is truly painful at times! They say that the first couple of days with a new tray will hurt, but as your teeth shift and get used to that tray, the pain and ache lessens. At this point, I’m hoping that’s the case! This time around, day 5 is when the pain started to subside. They’re still tender when I take them out to eat, but hopefully that will get better too.
The edges feel weird against my upper lip.
Another thing that I’ll likely just have to get used to, but the edges of the tray feel weird against my upper lip. It’s actually rubbing a little sore on one side which I plan to bring up with the orthodontist if it doesn’t go away.
I feel like I have a lisp.
When I first put them in, I felt like I was talking so funny. My entire mouth felt out of whack. My sister and husband both said that I sounded fine, but every sound I made just felt off. Luckily I don’t actually have a lisp and talking is easier as I have them in longer. But seriously, I feel like I have a lisp.
How am I going to eat. I may wither away.
You’re expected to wear your trays for 22 hours a day. They’re only supposed to come out when you’re eating. That’s it! That only leaves 2 hours a day for me to eat and drink my morning coffee! Anyone that knows me, knows how important food and especially snacks are to me. I’m interested to see how Invisalign will change my eating habits. I may need to learn to snack a little less. Maybe 4 meals a day instead of 6? I’m not sure how that will go for this grazer. I’ll be sure to keep y’all updated.
I have to brush my teeth a lot.
Pretty much after I eat anything, I have to brush my teeth. Now I’m not saying this is a bad thing. It’s actually a good thing and I know it will improve my dental health, but it’s time consuming and just one more thing I have to do. It’s not easy when I’m trying to finish eating so I can get my trays back in before nursing the baby. He’s not to keen on waiting. Again, something I’ll get used to and in 6 months, I won’t even realize the extra time it takes me to brush my teeth after each time I eat.
There will be changes.
I can tell they’re going to change my habits more than I initially expected. Eating in public and drinking anything that isn’t water are already more complicated than they used to be. Taking the trays out and putting them in isn’t a hard process, but it is a nuisance and is kind of gross. It’s not something you want to do over and over again, especially when your teeth are sore. I have to think about when I want to eat a meal and snacking is likely a thing of the past. That’s going to be hard for this breastfeeding momma. It looks like I’ll just be brushing my teeth a lot!
Right now I’m just trying to figure things out with my new mouth. I know it will take time and eventually it will just be normal. For now, I’ll quietly complain to myself and remember that it’s all for a good cause! I’m hoping that in a week or so my initial thoughts and fears will be a thing of the past. Stay tuned to see how the process goes!
Have you have Invisalign or adult braces?
How did it change your lifestyle or habits?
