Routine Update

I know it wasn't that long since I wrote an update, but there have been a few tiny changes. First of all, I had a mini realization that my gums look WAY different. I don't know why I didn't notice it, but yesterday I really looked at my teeth and was shocked. When I think back to my appointment a few days ago, the hygienist told me my gums were a good color, but I hadn't thought much of it at the time. They are legitimately shades lighter. They were always medium to dark pink and now they are a pale pink. Like paler than I've ever had my gums ever. At first when I noticed this, I was worried, but I looked it up and they SHOULD be pale pink. And I give all the credit to my waterflosser. It has been about a month and a half of using it, and I can really tell the difference.

My gums were feeling really used to the low pressure tip. At first, my gums were semi-sensitive to the pressure. Then after a day or two I got used to the way it felt. Then within the last week or so, I noticed it didn't feel to be strong enough. My gums obviously got tougher. I couldn't find my high pressure tip. I put it somewhere I wouldn't lose it, and of course, didn't remember where that was. Thankfully after days of looking, I found it! I used it for the first time yesterday and I could feel the difference. The pressure was higher and it felt better on my gums. It's like you can really feel it strengthening your gums. I am so amazed by it. I seriously recommend waterflossers to everyone.

I have been wearing my retainers every night. The one bottom tooth that starts to move back when I used to go a day or two without wearing them has stayed put, which is nice. I also have been brushing every single night, using whitening toothpaste every other night. In the mornings, I use normal toothpaste. It's still too soon to tell if that is really making a difference as far as whitening goes. I think my routine is finally set minus adding in the manual flossing a few times a week. I will try to use mouthwash in my waterflosser more (probably once a week), but I want to get my gums more used to the new high pressure tip first. I don't want to change too many things at once. I put so much care into not skipping anything and am SO happy that there is a visible difference.

This is my 100% real opinion. I am not getting paid to say any of this, just to clarify. The waterflosser was a christmas gift from my mom, as I asked for one. And my electric toothbrush has been something I've had for over 10 years. My dad got it for me when I was much younger when he bought himself one. My routine is something I've just been really caring about as I did spend quite a lot on my invisalign treatment and don't want an unhealthy mouth.

Dental Check-up & Whitening Routine

Today I had my 6 month check up at my regular dentist (not who I went to for my invisalign). Things went good and it appeared my water flosser has been helping, which is awesome. The hygienist suggested using mouthwash in it, which I actually randomly tried for the first time yesterday. It was an interesting experience. I think I will try doing it once a week. I am not a fan on antiseptic mouthwash as it just tastes numbing, but it is good for getting rid of bacteria. My gums seem to have been much stronger and didn't bleed or hurt during my cleaning. My teeth even didn't react to the cold water, which they used to. This is really weird, but I used to dry brush my gums to strength them quite awhile ago and then just never stuck with it. But I think I will do that again. It's simple to do while watching tv or whatever and strong gums are good. They said my gums looked good, but it can't hurt. 

An interesting thing my hygienist said was I still should be string flossing in addition to my water flossing. I was under the impression the water flosser did a much more effective job so that wasn't necessary. But she said it's like hosing off a car as opposed to hand scrubbing it. I have a hard time believing I need both, but I guess a couple times a week is doable enough that it won't bother me to do. I also have made it a habit to brush my teeth before bed. I used to only brush in the morning, but I think it's a good idea. Plus, changing my sonicare brush head has made a big difference! I had an old head on their for a long time. It really mattered, surprisingly. 

I feel like I spend more time on my mouth than the average person, especially lately, and I almost have to. I don't want to have dental problems in the future and genetically I think I am predisposed to them. So I am trying to be on top of things. Plus, after the money I spent on having straight teeth will be a waste if my gums aren't strong enough to keep my teeth in them! Not that that is a concern right now, but I just worry. I haven't missed my nightly waterflossing since I got my waterflosser for christmas, so adding nightly brushing isn't that much of a big deal. I am doing really well at sticking to it, and it is becoming a habit, so I think it will be easier as time goes on to just do it without thinking about it. And I have been wearing my wore down retainers every night. I may have to order more (or actually call them to see if they have the ones they never gave me) My teeth still will move if I don't wear my night retainers. And that is not ok with me. They need to stay in place! So retainers it is.

Whitening is certainly not something I'm an expert at, but I think I have a good routine down. I started using the crest 3d whitening toothpaste again and quickly remembered why I stopped: it made my teeth sensitive. So I am trying to do it every OTHER day, at night only. The rest of the time, I use whatever toothpaste I have available. I don't want to overdue it. I also use the finishing touch whitening pen, probably once a week. I don't have specific times I use it. Whenever I think of it and have a free half hour, since they suggest not eating or drinking for 30 minutes after. I usually will do it right before I leave the house to go somewhere or right after I eat. I do think it made a difference. It seems to have to me, at least. But I also don't want to overdue it. I still want strong teeth and a lot of the whitening products out there, especially home remedies, seem dangerous like they'll strip your enamel. 

Below are some before and after pictures of the color of my teeth. They translate SO much better in person, but on the left is before my 2nd round of invisalign I believe (the most recent before picture I could find!) and on the right is one I took TODAY! (in natural light so it looks as best as it can photograph)

A nice white, straight smile is something I've always wanted. And I think I have it now! I always would smile with my mouth closed and now I can flash my teeth without being self conscious, which is awesome. It was completely for vanity, which seems absurd to think about, but it really bothered me. And orthodontia is practically considered a necessity in today's world. (In America) In my legal background, I have seen many divorce documents requiring parents to buy their children braces, which seems like a want to me, but I guess it's not classified as one. Regardless, I will do my best to keep my teeth the way they are! A pretty smile doesn't always mean a healthy smile. So my goal is to have BOTH! 

Post treatment update

So I have been done with treatment for quite awhile and it's going pretty good. I still never got my night retainer they were supposed to give me months ago, and I honestly didn't inquire more about it. And now it's kind of weird since I should have called a long time ago if I was going to. But I still may. I am wearing the one that was the last set of trays I wore that they sliced down so it only covers 6 teeth on the top and 6 on the bottom. (the front ones because you notice change there the most) I don't wear them every night, but just about. I'll skip a day here and there, but when I skip more than a couple days this one specific tooth on the bottom middle/side starts moving back. It's very weird and frustrating. And my retainers and practically falling apart. The plastic is rough in some places and they are just worn out. They still have the bumps on them from where my attachments/buttons were so it sometimes gets annoying with my lips sticking to them. But they work for what they're needed for. I literally am only wearing them when I'm sleeping. And they make my teeth look/feel better.

I haven't been doing much for whitening because sensitivity and money is an issue. I have used the as seen on tv tooth whitening pen a few times and it seems to make a slight difference. I don't use a particular toothpaste and am just using up the travel size ones I got a while back so they don't go to waste. Then I may stick to a specific brand, but I did use crest 3d whitening in the past and it didn't seem to make a dramatic difference to me. Neither did any of the mouthwashes I've tried.

I did however discover an amazing invention....the water flosser! I asked for it for christmas (I was SUPER excited to get it!) and have used it every night since. It's SO much better and easier than regular flossing. I use the regular tip and it looks like it does a good job cleaning out my teeth. My gums were a tiny bit sensitive at first, but they aren't bothered by it at all anymore. This would have been perfect for when I was going through the invisalign treatment. I don't know why, but even with the little handheld flossers, flossing is just something I dread. And now I enjoy it. It feels so high tech! I think they range form $35-40 to over $100 for the special ones. I have the handheld one, which isn't corded and may take a few times to fill up at first as it doesn't hold a lot of water, but as I got better at it, I can usually do it in 1.

It also was super messy at first, but there are tutorials online that make it easy. Just keep your mouth kind of closed, but open enough for the water to escape. I had water flying everywhere the first few times!! The real test will be in a few weeks when I go to the dentist and they see if it helped my gums. My pockets were a little too deep the last time I went, which is bad if it continues. I don't want to get gum disease!! Thanks, genetics. There is a special tip that is made for deep pockets that I may try. I'm very curious to see if my dentist will be able to notice any improvement. I sure hope so!