Day 3 - Questions?

Hi,

So this is Day 3. My biggest problem is that my mouth is either very dry or I'm super salivating. My dentist mentioned this could happen but when does it stop? I think I could almost start to forget they are there very minute if it wasn't for this.

Anyone have any advise?

Also anyone drinking coffee with theirs in? My dentist said the heat could crack them but I REALLY miss sipping on my coffee throughout the morning. Chugging it down so I can brush my teeth just isn't the same.

Thanks.

[ajvasey]

I don't know about the salvation problem, but I was told that drinking any colored liquids could and most likely would stain your aligners.

I definitely wouldn't drink anything other than water with aligners in. I can relate to the coffee issue, I REALLY miss sipping on my morning coffee too but I'm willing to sacrifice that for straight teeth . I haven't had any excess salivation issues, just the super dry mouth.

[Sunny]

Jenlou I recommend you carry a water bottle with you at all times to help with your hydration issues. It's important for your general health to keep well hydrated.

Most people find they have similar issues to you during the early days of removable or non removable appliances. There is a link between this and our bodies trying to rid us of the intruder. Hopefully within a few weeks this will settle and your body will accept that these intruders are going to be a part of you for a while, and to let you get on with living as usual.

Good luck!

Hi Jenlou:

During my first couple days with every new aligner, I experienced not only a dry mouth but (and this might sound weird), chapped lips. I also noticed my gums would grow pale for a couple of days.

I have no idea why. Were the new, very-tight aligners cutting off some of my circulation? Don't know. It was no big deal, however, as it lasted only a couple of days.

As far as drinking anything hot with these plastic aligners in your mouth: I wouldn't do it. You'll probably cause them to warp. After my first few months I got lazy enough to drink just about anything cold (but not ice cold) without removing the aligners -- as long as I knew I'd be able to brush my teeth pretty soon. I figured I'd be getting a new aligner in two weeks anyway. How much could I really stain the current one?

What motivated me the most was the thought that, whatever I just drank (soda, beer, juice, whatever), my teeth would be essentially soaking in that substance until I got the aligners out and brushed. Kinda gross.

I think if you stay away from extreme temperatures, you'll be OK. It's a pain, but worth it. Think of the alternative: walking around with metal braces ....

[Sunny]

Originally Posted by rlweber

It's a pain, but worth it. Think of the alternative: walking around with metal braces ....

Plus the other alternatives ... lingual brackets like ibraces ... the only invisable type of orthodontics and ceramic brackets.

At the practice where I work, we use more ceramic brackets than any other kind, and ibraces and invisalign for a small number of patients.

When you're wearing invisalign, drinking hot fluids is definitely not advised, as if the aligners warp, you are wasting your time wearing them.

Good luck with keeping your hydration levels good!

I carry water with me, I still get thirsty alot. my guess is that if your lips are getting dry and cracked, your not drinking enough water. My lips got dry and cracked a few times until I started bringing water with me. I know when i first got them in I didnt drink very much because it pretty much ruled out soda pop and juice, so I didnt feel like drinking much. you have to drink tho, and water is what is best for the invisalign and really its the best thing you can drink too.