Sorry I haven’t written in awhile! I cannot believe I am now on Tray 12 (changing to Tray 13 tomorrow!) Everything is still going great! I was on vacation from October 9th until October 15th (My birthday ). My boyfriend and I went to Mexico for a week! It was an amazing vacation, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the weather was beautiful! I had a dentist appointment for new trays, a check-up, and some new x-rays on the 16th. Not going to lie, I was not looking forward to it; normally I am very excited to see my orthodontist, hear that everything is going great, and get some new trays! But this time, I was actually quite worried. While I was on vacation I only wore my trays at night. I usually abide by the recommendations of wearing the trays for 22 hours (or close to that) but while on vacation I couldn’t seem to remember to carry them, and I was constantly eating, getting lots of drinks, and I hate wearing them without brushing my teeth! Basically for a straight week, I only wore them at night. I was petrified I would be scolded for not wearing my trays and my next ones wouldn’t fit or be very painful!
Thankfully, when I confessed my sins to my Ortho he completely understood and said that’s fine once in awhile. He told me if I can’t get my next set of trays in, then I will take them home, continue to wear my old ones for a few more days and keep trying the new ones. Simple! Fortunately my new trays fit, a little more tight and painful than usual, but it doesn’t matter because they fit! I also got screened for bacteria growth (because while wearing the trays your teeth can have a tendency for bacteria growth, causing cavities and gum disease) I also got checked for cavities or potential cavities, good news: my bacteria growth is very low, no cavities, and no potential for cavities. My Ortho actually said I have a very boring mouth! (I was assured this is a good thing...)
I also wanted to point out the fact that before I got my Invisalign trays I was wearing down my teeth due to my nightly grinding (which in most cases was so loud it woke my boyfriend who then shook me awake because it was such an awful sound...) Since wearing my Invisalign, obviously I haven’t been damaging my teeth because the trays stop my teeth from actually grinding together. But I have noticed that I don’t wake up with jaw pain or headaches as often anymore. My Ortho informed me that could be thanks to Invisalign which has changed my bite pattern dramatically; causing my jaw to not be as tense at night, which could be minimizing my grinding. Another plus!!
I have definitely become more relaxed about wearing my trays, popping them in and out without worry, and I find them very comfortable. Even when I change my trays I can usually take them out the next evening for dinner with minimal pain (during the first day I still stick with smoothies, it’s just easier). I still change my trays before bed so I can sleep through most of the initial pain.
I have read in some reviews that Invisalign ruins your social life and personal relationships, but I have to completely disagree. I understand that each person has their own experience with Invisalign, and some are better than others, but for myself I am doing everything now that I always have. If I want to go to the pub or a restaurant with friends and drink and have appetizers, I do. Yes I understand popping your trays out to eat is a minor inconvenience but having the ability to be able to do that and eat whatever you want, I think trumps that minor inconvenience ten times over. Most of the time it has become a joke with everyone saying, “Oh wait Lindsey has to take her teeth out!”
I only have four more sets of trays for my bottom teeth and 11 for more upper. The time is flying by.
