“First Couple of Days with a New Tray Are the Worst”

Today is day four for me, I started treatment on Friday (today is Monday).  It's gotten a lot easier every day, today I am accustomed to the tray and don't notice it nearly as much as the first two days.  The worst was on Friday and I kept thinking, "what am I getting into".  Some of the edges were poking me in the cheeks and tongue, my jaw hurt from not being able to relax my mouth closed all the way.  Plus my throat was sore and lips dry/chapped from licking them all the time.  Plus, I was thirsty constantly.  I'm thinking, why am I putting myself through this?  Oh, right, for a beautiful smile.  

I have a beautiful smile, just not straight teeth.  I put my son through braces when he was in grade school, he has a lovely smile.  Now it's my turn to be tortured.  Just kidding.  Sort of.

I have a narrow jaw and my bottom teeth are crowded and always wanted to do something about it.  My upper arch isn't rounded and my back teeth disappear.  So, I will have 20 upper and 22 lower trays, it should take about 18 months or so.

I like the fact that you can at least take them out for 1-2 hours a day to give your mouth a rest (and eat).  Regular braces, you can't do that.

What I don't like, is I'm a snacker, and can't eat my favorite red licorice when I want to (my dentist cringed when I mentioned that)...but it will force me to be really strict with what I do eat. 

I took Advil to help with the aching teeth and headache, but today haven't had to at all.   I've read a lot of reviews on here and people mention burning lips or mouth.  I found that applying lip balm throughout the day helps a lot with burning/dry lips.  I think it's from being thirsty so I lick my lips a lot...hence, dry or burning lips. 

My next dentist visit is in 4 weeks and she is going to attach the 'appliances'.  I guess they're to help my teeth move in the direction they want them to.  I haven't felt the need to call her...she said to call any time, even on the weekends if I had questions or a problem. 

I'll post updates as I go along here.   So far, so good.