Sheesh!

Time flies when you're using invisalign. Hadn't realized it had been so long. I had my second check up to see if things are moving along correctly. And they looked great. I believe the correct words were "good job. keep it up. you have a long way to go" ahh. It does seem like a long way away, but I feel like I have already come so far so I'm sure it won't seem long. It takes getting used to, but once you have your system down it's fine. One thing I haven't quite figured out was how to unobviously take out my retainers in times when I need to quickly. For instance, today I was shopping and they had free samples. I got some broccoli cheese soup and attempted to eat it with my retainers in, but the broccoli and carrots made that too hard. So I had to weirdly take out my retainers and put them in my sweatshirt pocket. It was awkward. I wish I had a better way, but I still have to figure that out.

I have been SUPER duper good about flossing. I got those little disposable flossers so I can use the small little heads and floss in between my ever moving teeth. I have really been able to see the movement of my teeth better as I floss in front of a magnified mirror. I can see little gaps indicating my teeth are moving since they weren't there before. I think flossing is important because your teeth are moving and there are surfaces visible you didn't have visible before. So you want to keep them clean. I also like to see the progress up close and flossing allows me to do that. I have not found a great way to clean my retainers. It seems like no matter how hard I scrub, they're never as clean as I wish they were. Not dirty or anything. Just not spotless.

My teeth are a little annoying right now. I'm almost ready for new trays. I've gotten to the point in this set where my teeth are basically all moved, they just have a little bit more to go. The trays feel clingy and my mouth feels like it wants to stretch. But I know this feeling all too well and it doesn't last long. I love that people can see progress. I definitely can, too. It keeps me motivated to take great care of my teeth. I'm spending all this time and money to get the smile I've always wanted, so I definitely want to take care of my investment. (Although, personally I guess I don't have that much invested in it haha)

My attachments occasionally bother me because they are noticable, but I try to keep in mind it's worth it AND it's a lot less visable then braces. I'm not usually talking right in someone's face and no one has ever mentioned anything about them to me. It's probably just me being self conscious because I noticed things on myself more than other people do. I'm still unsure if they will have to be on the entire duration of my treatment. I did learn that around tray 17 I will likely need some tooth sanding (eek!), but I'm only on tray 8 I believe so I have time before that. Otherwise, nothing new on the invisalign front. There isn't that much to it most of the time. Wear your retainers, that's the main thing.