Well, i haven't posted in here for a few months but to keep everyone updated on my invisalign journey I am currently on liner number 9! Time seems like it is flying, I can't believe I am more than half way done already.

I'll tell you this, the pain is definitely not as bad as it is at first.  I change my liners every two weeks, and the first few days are painful but after that the pain goes away and I don't even notice my invisalign is in.  It's also crazy how many people don't even notice it is in.  I told one woman I work with a few weeks ago that I had it, and she never noticed for over 4 months!! Crazy, right??

I do miss being able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want throughout the day.  And drinking water only all day long kind of sucks.  I miss my Arbonne Fizzy Tabs!!!

Liner Set Number 2

This past weekend, Labor day weekend I wasn’t as disciplined with my invisalign as I should have been.  Being a holiday weekend, I ate a lot, and I drank a lot.  I was around a lot of new people. I actually left my invisalign out for approximately 12 hours on Monday.  NO BUENO….

I switched to liner number two Monday night.  When I first put it on I thought it didn’t fit because I had left my liner out for so long earlier that day, but then I remembered back to day one when I put it in for the first time, of course it doesn’t fit yet.  My teeth are going to start moving, and then the liner will fit and it will be comfortable for a few days, and then I will switch again.  My teeth are not as sore as they were the first time, which was a pleasant surprise.  I am starting to enjoy the pain though, because I know soon enough my teeth will be straight, and it will all be worth it. Taking the liners out does take a little more effort, as it did at first, but it is definitely not as hard.

I am going to post pictures soon of my progress!

Drymouth.. and Invisalign

Well yesterday was probably my worst experience with dry mouth. I am in sales, so I am talking all day long.  I probably drink 3-4 bottles of water just throughout the course of my work day to keep my mouth from drying out.  I found a few things that help..

1.    I thought I was addicted to chapstick before? HA! I swear I apply this stuff every 5 minutes now.  This Arbonne Lip Saver has been a LIFE saver during my first week and a half of invisalign.  I am definitely stocking up, I go crazy if I can’t find it.

This can be found here... http://acavallaro.myarbonne.com

2.     A friend recommended I try Act Dry Mouth Mouthwash, and she was right, it really helps!

3.     Always have water with you. Always

Until next time..

First Social Weekend

Well this past weekend was my the first weekend I went out and about with my invisalign.  Friday night I decided to go out and not wear my top liner, which meant leaving it out for a few hours.  My top teeth don’t need much shifting so I didn’t think it was a bad idea. (I don't suggest doing this by the way) I woke up Saturday morning to go to an Arbonne conference and popped my liner back in for the day.  My mouth hurt, a lot.  I think my teeth moved in the few hours I had it out. Never again, lesson learned.

At the conference I met so many amazing men and women, and no one noticed (at least I don’t think they did because they didn’t look at me like there was something wrong). After eating lunch with everyon, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth, and everyone was telling me they wish they would have remembered their toothbrush.  At first I didn’t say anything, and played it off like I was smart for bringing mine, but then I caved told them why.  All these women  thought it was awesome what I was doing, asked questions and congratulated me for taking this step which really helped me accept it even more.  Everyone involved with Arbonne is so beautiful inside and out, and working for a skin care and health and wellness company really makes you appreciate and love your appearance each day.  Having invisalign in your mouth can make you self-conscious, but listening to amazing women, whom I look up to, tell me they couldn’t tell it was in really helped.

Another thing that is helping me accept invisalign day after day is a guy I met, two days after I got my liners.  When I’m with him, it’s like it doesn’t even exist.  He thinks nothing of me getting up to brush my teeth after dinner in a restaurant.  He even puts thought into which restaurant we eat at, making sure they have options I can eat because he knows how bad my teeth hurt sometimes.  He doesn’t hesitate to kiss me (which was my biggest fear).  One word.. amazing.

Today at work I feel like I have a a golf ball in my mouth, and I cannot get enough water.  Nothing unusual though.  I can tell that my teeth are shifting, they look like they have moved and my teeth and smile are already improving. I even think they are getting whiter, which is a plus.  I really cannot wait to see what they look like when this whole process is over if they are already shifting after a week!

Getting Easier Everyday

I've come to realize everyone is right, dealing with invisalign get's easier everyday. It's slowly becoming a part of my life.  Yes brushing my teeth takes more time in the morning, becuase I have to actually brush my liners as well but I'm getting used to it.  Yes it is annoying brushing my teeth EVERY TIME I eat, but to look at it in a positive light, I have AWESOME oral hygeine!  Is it awkward when I'm brushing my teeth in a public bathroom? Yes.  Do people stare at me weird when I take my liners out? Yes. But oh well, it's something I have to do and I am slowly getting used to it.

I've read so much that I can basically kiss my social life goodbye, and any romantic life.  But I have definitely proved that wrong in just 4 days of inviaslign.  I've gone out, talked and met new people with out them noticing.  Going out to dinner is different because I have to take my liners out and brush my teeth afterwards, but I can still enjoy a nice glass of wine with my dinner while my liners are out.  Alcohol while the liners are in? I tend to stick to Vodka & Water.  I ALWAYS make sure I brush my teeth as soon as I get home so I don't have any Vodka or sugar sitting on them, but no staining! And yes, the biggest question.. Kissing.  It is definitely possibly to kiss someone with this in. It kind of feels like you are 12 years old again, kissing someone for the first time ever, but you learn to manage!

I am not going to let this own or take over my life, I am going to own it. It's going to be a long process, and it's definitely life changing but I know, in a year when I have that beautiful smile I have always longed for, it will all be worth it!

Kissing... and invisalign

All I have to say is... whoever said you can't kiss with invisalign in is wrong.  That is all J

An Entire Full Day...

Well yesterday was my first full day with invisalign and I have one word... OUCH!

On my lunch break, I decided not to eat because I didn’t want to even attempt to take out my liners.  I spent my lunch break at rite-aid buying toothpaste, Listerine strips, a dental pick (to help remove the liners) a travel toothbrush and chapstick! I notice my lips become dry more often than normal, I’m not sure why or maybe I’m just making it up in my head? Anyway..  I ended up really hungry since I hadn’t really eaten since I got Invisalign so I grabbed a salad and brought it back to work with me.  It took me approximately an hour to eat lettuce... annoying. 

Later on in the day, my best friend needed me to ride her to an Arbonne meeting because her foot was broken.  I spent 3 hours speaking to multiple different women, I don't think anyone noticed it was in. No one looked at me weird, but I know I was doing something weird with my mouth.  I find it very hard to smile, I’m SO self-conscious with this thing in!  I think it’s because of the two attachments on my side teeth, it kinda looks like I have Vampire Fangs.  I always did want to be a Vampire, and reap the benefits, but I guess without the fangs showing ALL THE TIME! Hahaha…

Around 10:30pm I finally got the courage to attempt to eat again.  This time I was at a restaurant, and I took my liners out in the bathroom.. awkward. Everyone was staring at me like I was pulling out my own teeth or I had dentures or something.  I ended up ordering just soup and some fried rice, because neither involved much chewing.  Finally something in my stomach!! I guess if anyone wants to lose weight my best suggestion would be Invisalign!

This morning was a different story however, I woke up and have no pain at all.  The only problem is my top lip has a small cut on it from a rough edge on my liner, and I cut my tongue from the back of my bottom liner.  My friend who also has Invisalign recommended that I try “Peroxyl Sore Mouth Rinse” made by Colgate.  I'll try it later and hope that it works!  

So far I think my biggest hurdle is going to be not drinking coffee in the morning, and now that it’s fall I am dying for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Oh well, I want nice straight teeth and I’m gonna have to put up with this and be dedicated until I am happy with my smile!