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!
