Metal Mouth Message Board

As I approach tray 8 in two days I have learned points to remember about invisalign. First, the new trays are less annoying the further you get into your program. I get use to them overmight and forget about them all the time in my mouth. Second, my dentist called where I am, 8 out of 20 lower and 8 out of 25 upper, the ugly stage. My teeth look fine until I really looked. My teeth in the back are gapped big enough to fit alot of food gunk. It is part of the process. Flossing is a 2 to 3 times per day event now. Third, my jaw is sore when they are out too long. My bite needs to be shifted and also pulled away from tongue. My speech is actually better overall, I think as my tongue has gained more room. Fourth, I have gotten obsessed with whitening. DO NOT DO IT. Be careful with tooth senstivity. I am using the Night Brite White or something. Do not use overnight or you will be miserable for a day or two. I wanted to pull my front teeth out the ohter day. My dentist said to use the whitener just for an hour or two, not overnight. I need one or two more applications to be White enough. I may wait until I am further into my treatment as I waited until 42, why is it so important now. I am focusing on the invisaligns only now. Fifth, clean the trays everytime you take them out. I have a ziplok bag and dump alittle listerine; shake and they are fresher. I brush them with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste at least daily. Use Listerine breath strips or spray to avoid becoming Mr smelly breath. I have a travel tooth brush and paste in a small puch I take to the restaurant. I mess around with them and no one has even paid attention at the bathroom sink. Just remember it will take time and it is worth it. HANG IN THERE.

Thanks for the pointers. I am gathering all the info I can at this point to try to be prepared for the first set, which will not likely arrive until mid January. Also, it was encouraging to read that your patients hadn't noticed the trays. I hope mine don't notice, either. I have been worried about speaking, since I have to do that all day long.

a good tip about the speaking is for u to pick the right time to start wearing the trays, not your ortho as you have waited long enough u can wait a bit longer for the ideal time which is obviously if you have a week off work due, or failing that put them in friday night which gives you the weekend and if poss book a day off on monday then u have had a long weekend to get used to talking with trays in, thats the way i did it and nobody noticed when i went back to work.