Hey Cuties,
So much has happened and I can’t wait to share it all with you. Last week was a big one, in the interest of self-care I have taken this thing to the next level. At the age of 38 years + 6 months I have braces A-G-A-I-N! Eeeeek!
Backstory: Growing up I was an entire asshole when it came to going to the dentist. It hurt, and I didn’t like the people so I would do what I knew how to do best. Turn the place OUT! I would scream and cry and fight the nurse like a full-on crazy person. Those aren’t my proudest moments but I was a kid. Being a jerk is legit what kids do.
Although I’m happy to report those days are long gone. However, that foolish behavior came with a price. My mom quit tolerating the bs and embarrassment and quit taking me. This meant stuff was going on and I was not getting it taken care of. Be better than me.
I was deathly afraid of my first couple of cleaning visits but they have earned my trust and got my teeth back to full health. I love them so much I allowed them to put a screw in my gum to fix my less than perfect smile with an implant. Now it is time to straighten up my pearly whites. In walks Invisalign: Plastic form of dental braces used to adjust teeth.
Basic Invisalign Rules:
- You are supposed to wear your Invisalign for 22 hours. HELLO TWENTY TWO HOURS! You know we only have 24 hours in a day right? Oh, okay!
- You can not eat anything with your trays in.
- You can only drink water with your trays in.
- They put “buttons” on your teeth that your trays hook on.
(If you zoom in on the LipBar lipstick pic below you can see the buttons.)
This is what my new life looks like, brushing my teeth at work.
I am only a week in and it is has been an adjustment. It has been a relatively okay experience thus far; not a cakewalk but not misery either.
What I learned 1 week in:
- Practice taking your trays in and out is important. There is a “way” to do it.
- My teeth were very tender the first 3 days when I removed my trays. This means every time I get new trays (every 2 weeks) my teeth will be tender for a few days.
- Talking with a lisp is not cute. You may like it and that is fine but I do not.
- I knew I loved to eat (Hello I’m a true Fat Girl), what I did not realize is how much I eat and drink nonwater.
- I brush my teeth at least 4 times a day.
- You will learn to brush your teeth anywhere.
For me, I have breakfast at work, so I brush my teeth there. I was out running errands and grabbed lunch, I had to brush my teeth in the car. You will need to brush your teeth on the go so be prepared. I created my own kit to make the constant brushing process much easier.
Brush Kit Supplies:
- Little pouch (I already had this one around the house)
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Optional – Hand sanitizer
- Optional – Bottle of water
I have a kit in my purse, one in my glove box, and one at work. My Invisalign came with two storage cases so I keep one in my purse and the other in the office.
My signature Red Ruby Woo Lipstick
My first epic Invisalign fail was wearing my signature red Ruby Woo lipstick with my clear braces. I looked like I had been punched in my mouth and had blood everywhere. The worse part is I don’t know how long I walked around and spoke to people before anyone told me I had lipstick on my teeth. *eye roll* So I decided to seek out a lip paint/liquid lipstick that would not rub off on my braces. I purchased two brands from Target and wore one each day so I could decide if it was the one for me.
This is Boy Trouble by The Lip Bar. This is $13 from Target (It is cheaper on Target.com) This was a nice color, but more orange than red. I will wear it again, it just won’t be my signature. Bonus points for the packaging, it is so cute.
This is Devotion by Milani $8 and it is my new signature red. I love everything about it, I took this picture in the house so it might be a bit more vibrant in natural light. This will be my signature and for this price, I can afford to indulge in a few other colors and not break the bank. I have my eye on a bold pink and a nude I plan to pick up this weekend.
What you need to survive wearing clear removable braces:
- You have to be dedicated to the process. Your teeth are not going to magically move on there own. If that was the case you would not need braces.
- Know your end goal: I want to get get rid of spaces between my teeth and fix my buck teeth.
- Know the length of your treatment plan: Mine is a 10-month plan. Fun Fact: I wore braces as a teenager for 11 months to fix the same issue. *insert teenage eye roll*
- I know I said this already, but you must be disciplined!
- I do NOT recommend removable braces for children. Even adults struggle to commit to the process. Unless you don’t mind tossing thousands of dollars out the window. In which case you can push and pull your little red wagon any way you see fit.
Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG, and Twitter.
This color lip looks good on you and can we mention the hair color too. It all goes well together. I like your you’re taking the proper steps now and hopefully this experience is smooth for you.
Thanks, I’m getting all of this look together.
Your Red lipsticks are always pop’n! I don’t think it’s ever to late to do something that makes us happy or feel good/look good! Do what makes you happy. I’m sure your new smile is going to be equally as gorgeous as it is now 🙂
Thanks, Keisha! Life is better with the perfect red lip and a dope smile.
I can relate to this. I moved from Md to Fl and had to start a braces to invisalign journey all over again. I hope yours is a great one and happy to hear you found a lippie that works!
Thanks, I’m excited about the end result so that keeps me going.
Sounds like you are figuring it out and really have a good system going. Will share this with any of my friends thinking of or getting Invisalign.
Thanks, Lia. Figuring out what works is the best way to have a good experience.
My dentist says Invisalign will work to close the gap in my teeth. But I like my gap. I feel like it’s a part of who I am. Maybe. Goodluck with you trays.
I hear that a lot with people with gaps. It would change your look, I say keep it too.
Although it sounds very time-consuming, it’ll be worth it in the end. LOL at your childhood dentist visit story. Sounds like my son. I can laugh…now.
It will totally be worth it and I have to wear them less than a year. Girl, a mess. We can laugh at it now too; my mother was not amused before.
I’m so glad that there are new options so people don’t have to be teased for being metal mouths. Invisalign is affordable and the results work.
They work, if you do the work for sure. I would not get them for kids though. My son has regular wire braces. He likes them though.
I remember growing up I always wanted braces, lol. I am noticing more and more adults are getting them. I am sure like with everything else, it’s an adjusting period. While your just figuring out how to be with them. You look absolutely fab!
It is funny you say that because I noticed that as well. I know a good amount of us had them as kids but did not wear our retainers and our teeth shifted back.
I’m trying to keep it cute while wearing them.
OMG the LipBar is in Target? I remember them from SharkTank and they wouldnt invest in her but good to see she is thriving in Target. I love Milani Matte Collection it last all day too!
They sure are, they don’t have everything but a nice selection.
Yes, I just got two more Milani colors.
I know about that braces life. I had them on twice when I was younger because I refused to wear a retainer after my first one! I appreciate the clear braces now! I was just talking to a friend on Sunday about a good lipstick that goes on smooth and stays! I will definitely check out these options
Girl, they have been a lifesaver. I actually went out and purchased two more Milani colors. I need options.
What a funny story! I’ve always wonders how invisiline worked. That’s pretty cool – well all except for not being able to eat spontaneously.
Your eating options are easier with wired braces but visually I like these better.
I wish I could wear a red lip! I just got my teeth whitened 2 weeks ago I’m sure this would have been less expensive
This lip paint would be perfect for you. It dries soon as you put it on. It won’t smudge or rub off on your teeth. that is why I love it so much.
The tips your provided in this post are great, and I think the on-the-go kit you have is great for anyone. I like both shade of the red lippies on you. I’m loving the affordability on the Milani shade the best!
The kit is golden, I’ve brushed my teeth in all kind of crazy places.
The price is so good, I purchased 2 more colors.
Omg! This looks like SO much freaking work. I always wanted to fix my teeth but now that I’m older I’m like f*ck it! THIS post just made me say that even more. Lol OMG! (Trust mine are horrible, so it’s not like I’d be doing this for a few months and be done. So no point now. Lol) But my daughter is going to need them so I’ll start her early. Why is this so much work though? Lol OMG!
It takes a lot of self-discipline. I’m now two weeks in and it would have been easier to just get the old school clear wire braces. This way you can eat what you want at all times. That is the hardest part.
I’ve been thinking about this because my teeth have been shifting at night. I think I have to get to that dentist asap though so I can figure out what’s happening.
Yes, get it check out. Do you sleep with a mouth guard? That might help as well.
I looked for this article specifically for how to avoid lipstick on your teeth. It is crazy and so hard to scrub out of the trays afterwards. And that 22 hours is killing me. I’m not making it. I don’t eat my meals fast enough to fit into that 2 hour window.
But I’m making an effort and I’ve learned the art of brushing my teeth while driving and have gotten very creative and resourceful when it comes to meals on the go. Thank you for posting this.
Keep at it, it will get easier to manage. Don’t stress over the 22 hours. Focus on being consistent with eating, brushing, and putting your trays back in. The biggest help is making sure you are sleeping in them nightly. You got this!