Just started.

[whaam]

After a month and half of waiting, finally was able to get started with my trays. I'm supposed to be doing 17 trays for both upper and lower. It only has been day one and I'm already feeling restless having them in. I know I'll eventually get over it. It's not too sore, just awkward, although taking them out for dinner was a bit of a struggle.

However I'm a Monster energy drinker, would I have to take them out constantly if I drink one throughout the day?

[whaam]

I also wasn't expecting to have the attachments put on today. Do they stay on throughout the whole treatment?

[Sunny]

Great your treatment has started whaam!

The only food/liquid you should have in your mouth when you have your aligners in, is water. The problem is that food particles get stuck between the enamel on your teeth and the aligners and this is when damage occurs to the enamel, which is often permanent.

Most people find that they quickly adjust to having to wear aligners a minimum of 22 hours a day. The same goes with the attachments and removing the aligners will get easier. Usually the aligners are on till the end of your treatment or the first refinement stage. Of course this may not be how it happens for you and your ortho is always the best person to ask.

Good luck with getting used to the discipline of wearing the aligners ... and here's to you seeing changes soon!

[whaam]

Thanks for the welcome, Sunny. This forum will be a very helpful resource for my treatment.

I was surprisingly able to snap the aligners out pretty quickly, or at least quickER, than I did for dinner to enjoy a cold beer. I'm not too worried about the discipline it will take, more of careless mistakes from forgetting I got 'em on.

[liccledevil83]

Hi, It took me a while to get into a new routine of having the braces in and not eating or drinking. Initially I was drinking flavoured water with them in because I was scared of taking them out, but decided that's bad for my teeth. Now I've got into a habit of drinking when they're out and they're a lot easier to take out if I do want a drink I drink far too much coffee in work!). I wouldn't recommend drinking energy drinks with them in, give it a go, you'll probably notice how bad you teeth feel after! Good Luck!

[whaam]

I'm approaching the 2nd week with them in, and I gotta say, I'm used to them now. Snapping them out is getting so much easier and I'm doing them within seconds. Maintenance isn't too bad and I'm actually appreciating them more now.

I used to be a daily drinker of energy drinks but I haven't had any since I got them in. Guess that'll be a good thing in the end.

[dvanrip]

I, too, am relatively new (on my second trays) so think I'm about a week ahead of you. My teeth seem to get used to the feeling after 3 days of the new trays but until then I simply pop a Tylenol PM and go to bed. Pre-Invisalign i was a constant coffee drinker, so this is better for my teeth, and health in general, and the tylenol helps with the caffeine headaches... I just keep telling myself this will sooooo be worth it in the end.

[mommamorin]

Hello newbies
I started in 11/08 and have been done for almost 6 months now, with a short stint in refinements in between. I have gotten so used to having the aligners in I still at this point wear them at least 16 hours a day when only nightime wear is needed. It just feels weird without them. Long story short, you will get used to them and the way they feel.
good luck everyone!

[Phantom Muse]

I am on my 3rd tray, and the whole thing is second nature now for the most part. Even the discomfort with each new tray is welcomed because I figure that means I am making progress!

I do find that I think about food (and when and how I am going to eat it!) a lot more since getting Invisalign. In fact, the other day I was dining out and slipped away to the washroom for a few minutes to put my trays back in after I finished eating (because I am wearing a new tray and it is easier on me to not leave it out for too long at a stretch). While I was in the washroom brushing my teeth, a little girl started kicking on the door yelling, "I have to potty!" I was so uncomfortable and trying to hurry so much that I almost dropped my aligners into the toilet. I was only in there for a few minutes... Bad timing, I guess!

12U/7L