A Day in the Life with Invisalign®: A Smoother Smile Journey

Working in dentistry, I’ve seen many patients finish their Invisalign® treatment with beautiful results and a noticeable boost in confidence. Meanwhile, I found myself still covering my mouth when I laughed, trying to hide what felt like a lingering issue.

Here’s the truth: I had braces as a teenager but didn’t wear my retainer afterward. To make matters worse, my dog actually chewed it up. As an adult, my teeth slowly started shifting again, especially my two front teeth, which became noticeably misaligned. After seeing a video of myself trying to hide my smile, I decided it was time to make a change. I started Invisalign®.

Mornings: Cleaning, Aligners, and Coffee

Every morning begins with removing my aligners, brushing both them and my teeth, and putting them back in. Then I head to work, where my dentist also happens to be my boss, so I have extra motivation to stay consistent.

I do take them out for a quick cup of coffee once I arrive. After that, it’s back to brushing, rinsing, and staying on track until lunchtime.

Eating Habits: Fewer Snacks, More Water

One of the unexpected benefits of Invisalign® has been snacking less. Removing the aligners and brushing afterward just for a quick bite often doesn’t feel worth it.

As a result, I’ve started drinking more water throughout the day instead. It’s also worth noting: dry lips are a thing, so keeping lip balm nearby helps!

Oral Hygiene: A Whole New Level

I now brush after every meal, clean the aligners with a toothbrush and water, and take oral hygiene more seriously than ever before. My mouth has never felt so clean, and my routine has never been this consistent.

Wearing Invisalign® in Public

At restaurants, I usually go to the restroom to remove my aligners discreetly. Taking them out at the table can sometimes feel a little awkward and can take getting used to.

When it comes to speaking, I did notice a slight lisp in the beginning, especially when switching to a new set of trays. That said, it’s probably more noticeable to me than to others.

Discomfort: Minimal to None

I expected Invisalign® to be painful, but it’s been surprisingly pain-free. There’s some pressure with a new tray, but it’s very, very mild, maybe a 1 out of 10.

Compared to traditional braces, it’s a much more comfortable experience.

Staying Consistent: Help from the App

I downloaded the Invisalign® app, and it’s been a helpful tool. It tracks how long I wear the aligners, reminds me when to switch trays, and helps keep me accountable. It’s user-friendly and really effective.

Evenings: Cleaning and Skipping the Snacks

Evenings are pretty straightforward now. I clean my aligners, use an interdental brush, brush my teeth and that’s it.

I’ve stopped reaching for late-night snacks, mostly because the idea of brushing again just to eat a bit of chocolate isn’t worth it. It’s actually helped me cut down on boredom eating.

I haven’t had to give up any of the foods I love; I just plan my meals better and eat with a bit more intention now.

Any Changes Yet?

I’m currently on tray two, so the changes are small, but I can already feel one tooth starting to shift. It’s encouraging.

I’ve been taking progress photos with each new tray and plan to create a time-lapse to track the transformation.

Biggest Adjustment

The biggest change in my routine has been needing to plan when I’m out. For example, I recently met my grandma for coffee, and afterward, I had to excuse myself to find a place to brush my teeth and pop my aligners back in.

It’s not a huge deal, but it’s something I always must think about now, making sure I’ll have access to a bathroom wherever I go.

Early on, I was also more aware of the aligners in my mouth. They’re comfortable, but I did find that using dental wax helped with any initial irritation.

Confidence & Comfort

Before starting, I was nervous about how visible the aligners would be and whether I’d feel self-conscious wearing them. Surprisingly, no one has noticed I’m wearing them, which I find funny, because part of me wanted people to notice and ask!

Now that I’m about to switch to my third set, it feels a bit strange not having them in. In a way, they’ve become a bit of a comfort blanket, which I definitely didn’t expect at the start.

Thinking About Invisalign®? Here’s My Honest Opinion

If you’re considering it, I’d say go for it. I only wish I had started sooner. I’ve already recommended it to several friends because the experience has been so positive so far.

If you’ve been thinking about it for a while, this could be the right time to take the first step. The time will pass either way, why not use it to work toward a smile you feel good about?