Aligner 6 - Ouch!

When I put aligner six in on the 7th April, this is what my teeth looked like. 

Today, coming to the end of that two weeks, I can hardly open my mouth. I've got sores on the left and right cheek and a small ulcer :-( 


I'm told this is because I'm not washing my hands enough when taking my aligners in and out. 


So I've bought some Corsodyl mouthwash to use just once a day over the next few days to try and get rid of the bacteria and swelling. 


A lesson for all: 


WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TAKING YOUR ALIGNERS OUT AND PUTTING THEM BACK IN. 


Lecture over. Tomorrow, officially halfway - Aligner 7 will be going in. 

Week 9 Aligner 5... DISCOLOURING!

There's not been much to report for the last two weeks. 

I'm now 9 weeks into treatment... can you tell?

You need to look closely but there are a few subtle differences. 

1. Top jaw, to the left - clearly rotated round. 

2. Lower jaw, to the left tooth next to the attachment tooth has straightened.

3. Top jaw, right, second tooth clearly rotated. 

I've noticed alot more discolouring, perhaps the camera light makes it worse but I need to make sure that the brushing is effective and the toothpaste that I am using. 

Right I'm off to clean my teeth... I'm thinking now after seeing this it might be worth getting a travel electric toothbrush... as I'm brushing in the day with a travel one. 

Will keep you posted. 

4 of 14....

Another weekend passes... and we're now on to Aligner 4 of 14. 


I am starting to notice some movement in my teeth and hope you can too. Still no pain, still all attachments in tact. Still hungry and sick of brushing! 


I treated myself to a retractable toothbrush yesterday for when I'm out an about... (I need to get out more) This is really useful just to have in your coat pocket if you don't want to take a handbag.


here's the latest pic - results to the end of aligner 3:

You can see the gradual change now: (click to make bigger) 

How many times do you brush a day?

Today I've been hungry. Hungry means taking your invisalign out alot. 


So I thought I'd give you an idea. 


7.02am - eat banana before the gym


7.10 am - brush teeth, put invisalign back in. 


9.40 - eat breakfast and have a cup of tea. 


10.00 - brush teeth, clean braces, put them back in. 


12.00 - eat lunch 


12.20 - clean teeth and braces and put them back in. 


2.00 - cup of tea and a bit of flapjack or yoghurt? Yes please!


2.15 - clean braces and put them back in! 


7pm - dinner time. 


7.30pm - clean braces put them back in. 


9pm - cup of tea and some rice pudding. 


9.15pm - clean teeth and braces, floss, mouthwash. Put braces back in. 


Total - around 1h 30 mins. I'm allowed 2 hours a day! PHEW!


Off to buy some Colgate now! 

Aligner 3 - Start of week 5 - was that all really a month?

It's time for the tight feeling again and being good with brushing. 

Aligner 3 is in now and with it in you can see where it is going to push my teeth. When you've got the brace in, my front two teeth look like they meet. 

This is the start of week 5, so after wearing invisalign for nearly a month on Saturday... I decided to see if you can tell yet... here's the timeline...

I've noticed my lips move alot. They're far more outwards now, almost like I've had boxtox, but they are thinner. It's because the teeth are moving outwards to make room, then they'll move back in towards the end of the treatment. 

As a result, I've had to buy shares in Vaseline... constantly itchy and sore lips - you can see that in the pictures. 

Still no other major problems - no ulcers, pain, sores or anything like that TOUCH WOOD!

Any questions, please let me know. I'm off to brush my teeth.  

Week 4...

In less than 7 days I'll be changing over to my THIRD aligner...

The fortnights are flying by and so far I've not had ANY pain and am sticking to my 2 hours a day with braces out and 22 hours a day wearing them. 

Only very slight movement so far.. but here's the latest pic:

Timeline so far...