PixieDust2

Good Results Half Way Through - Pleasanton, CA

I am 56 and am half way through a two year invisalign treatment. It is going very well and my bite is much improved. I consider this to be a sound investment in my health. What better to way to invest your money and effort.

In my experience it is ok to drink watery fluids without sugar, such as tea or black coffee, and then flush the mouth afterwards with water. Tea and coffee will stain the trays and your teeth, but that is a temporary problem. For me, going almost two years drinking only plain water between meals is too difficult an adjustment and I prefer staining over dehydration.

My suggestion is to clean your invisalign trays under running water using an electric toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste because it is abrasive and will produce micro scratches in the plastic, which provide surfaces for bacterial growth. After brushing I soak the trays in denture cleaning solution while I finish a meal or snack, then sinse them thoroughly. I check them in good light to be certain that all gone has been removed. I also brush and floss every time. Since using these methods my trays have stayed consistently clean for the two week duration of each treatment. In the beginning I was brushing with toothpaste and within a few days it was difficult to get and keep the trays clean.

No I am not taking pictures. Of course my ortho is taking before/after pictures, so it will be interesting to see the difference. At every visit we review the computer simulations, and the difference from the starting point is already striking. Keep smiling CraftyMama!

It is so wonderful to read your success story and find a kindred spirit. I also time the fast as you do and replace the old tray set for a time before starting the new. My uppers were the first to be moved. Now the lowers are being moved aggressively and this most recent lower tray was a real challenge. Still, it sure beats chipping teeth! Best of wishes to you in your remaining treatment.