Invisalign-the whole 9 yards! - Albury, AU

Thursday 3rd of April was the day I had my attachments put on and got my first set of aligners I was so excited/anxious. My hygienist was lovely and talked me through everything as she polished my teeth in preparation for my attachments (which are tooth coloured). A dental assistant then ran me through how to put my aligners in and out, how to clean my teeth and aligners, rules about eating and drinking etc. and made my follow up appointment for 6 weeks.
I was pretty devastated walking out that first day as I had heaps of attachments and I was expecting that I’d only have like one or two. It was really noticeable, the aligners were sharp and cut my tongue and I had a very noticeable lisp. I could feel pressure with them in, took some Panadol, had six beers and went to bed.
The next day my tongue was killing me and the pressure in my mouth was still present as well as my lisp. Being a nurse and talking to people all day made my job very uncomfortable. Thank god it was Friday! I used some wax around the sharp parts of the aligners to give me some relief on my tongue, worked a treat.
Over the next few days the pressure subsided, eating became easier, my tongue toughened up but come Tuesday the lisp is still present. Hoping it will go away soon so I can talk more confidently at work. People who know I have them on don’t notice the aligners (or so they say) and people I haven’t told haven’t mentioned a thing so far. Not that I care, just not enjoying the lisp. Things I miss so far include smoking, red wine, white wine, COFFEE. One positive thing is that it stops you from snacking.
Looking forward to going back for my 6 week review and having the attachments removed (hopefully less put back on) and commencing AcelleDent!!!

In case anyone wants me to break down my day with routine for them here goes nothing.
730am- Tray out for 15-20 mins while I shower and brush my teeth, I let them soak in Luke warm water and Listerine, give them a brush with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste before I floss and put them back in.
830am- Tray out for 15-20 mins to enjoy morning coffee, Berocca and apple. Quick brush of the teeth and tray, mouth rinse then pop those bad boys back in.
1pm- Tray out for 25 mins for lunch. Brush and floss, brush tray and rinse mouth, then put them back in.
7pm- Tray out for dinner 20 mins, brush and floss teeth, bush tray and put them back in.
9pm- Tray out for 5 mins prior to shower for a final brush of teeth and tray before heading to bed.
Pretty griping stuff I know haha! Must confess, if I want a beer I will have one but rinse with water in between really well. I’ve also had a smoke with them in but raced home to brush and soak ASAP. Even had a black Sambuca shot! My trays aren’t stained at all. I’ve been told to soak in vinegar and water 2:2 if concerned about any discolouration.

Have changed to tray 2 today, YAY! No issues getting them in, they are tight, with a little pressure not discomfort. Guess they are doing their job. I have posted some pics today of my second tray. Some good news is my lisp has gone away now that I have adjusted to having extra gear in my mouth and I’ve lost 1.8kgs #WINNING!

This whole process is really starting to annoy me when it comes to my social life. I enjoy a drink and a smoke more than the average person i guess and its starting to show really bad on my trays. They are so freaking yellow after smoking and drinking all weekend despite brushing, flossing and soaking them. I tried taking them out for smokes and cut my mouth doing it so often and it cant be good to keep going in and out.
And the taste is bloody terrible. Either i am going to have to become a hermit or rethink this whole process..It seems i can handle the wear time and the cleaning process but its no good if my social habits are staining my trays and potentially doing damage to the enamel of my teeth.... FML!!!!