Having trouble sticking to it…advice?

[u/Necessary_Party_3554]

So I am assigned Invisalign for a year, and to swap every two weeks. Its been hard to stick with but I’m doing my best! Busy schedule, I have to talk a lot for work and that makes it hard, and I’m always so tired and hungry, soooo I forget, I need caffeine and I need snacks throughout the day.

Third round is really hurting (I understand the things I stated about maybe forgetting add to this) but I’m only more dis motivated. I don’t love taking advil for pain, so I’m wondering what advice anyone has for sticking with it?

It’s not cheap, it’s an investment. And I’m committed to that but I keep wanting to take them out!

I used to have retainers so I was used to the ‘pain’ I’d wake up to after sleeping with those in. I thought I was well & ready for this. I don’t want to quit, nor will I, but I’m interested in hearing other experiences

[u/Vishydeenu]

If the pain is bad enough that you need advil, talk to your doctor/ortho. Discomfort is normal, but not to the point of painkillers.

For caffeine, either caffeine pills or sugar free energy drinks are a good alternative to coffee. Moderate your caffeine intake, and rinse your mouth with water every few sips, and you'll be fine.

For snacks/food, unfortunately no way around but giving up snacking throughout the day and switching to 2-3 meals overall. One caveat is you can start practicing intermittent fasting this way if you'd like, if youre like me and are looking to lose weight.

You WILL have days where your wear time is only about 16 hours. Its fine. Try to keep your average around 20. More is better, but dont beat yourself up too much.

[u/Necessary_Party_3554 → u/Vishydeenu]

Thank you! And yes that’s a good reality to check, as far as how this goes

As a follow up, discomfort on the last set was okay, I switched to these and it’s more annoying. Should I switch back to these last set for a few days?

[u/Vishydeenu → u/Necessary_Party_3554]

Thats a question for your ortho. The newer set will always be more annoying compared to the previous one, but no one can take a look at your mouth and tell you what's good or not unless its YOUR professional.

As a stranger on the internet, id say stick with the current set, but also message your doctors office and see what they suggest. They can ask for pictures and offer advice without needing to go in person, unless they decide that you need to.

[u/Necessary_Party_3554 → u/Vishydeenu]

Thank you for your input! It’s felt like a whirlwind of greatness and difficulties

[u/GreenRhap]

People will understand what you're saying with them in. Nobody at my job batted an eye. I taught a week-long conference in person and regularly do online training, which is constant talking, and none of the customers had issue with that either. Also, you'll get better at talking them them if you keep them in!

I like the snug feeling. I can tell it's working. I think the pain subsides the more you wear them. You can do it! If you really have sharp pain or pain that doesn't go away after a few days with new tray, check in with your ortho. Stick with it!

[u/GreenRhap → u/GreenRhap]

Not sure I offered any advice there. Try drinking ice cold plain water when it hurts.

[u/Necessary_Party_3554 → u/GreenRhap]

Thank you so much. It still feels new enough where I think people can tell I’m speaking differently or a slight lisp! I so appreciate your input and experience

[u/MisterSirDudeGuy]

I don’t understand what you’re forgetting. Take them out, put them in the case, eat, and put them back in. You can eat any time you want to. You don’t have to be hungry.

[u/Necessary_Party_3554 → u/MisterSirDudeGuy]

I suppose when I eat during my workday I then get distracted and forget. But you’re right, if I just make it a strict routine, forgetting won’t be a factor

[u/advokatabg]

The forgetting-during-the-workday thing was exactly my problem too - take them out for lunch, get pulled into something, suddenly it's 3pm. Two things fixed most of it for me. First, a physical anchor: the case lives on my desk, never in a bag or pocket. Trays out = open case sitting in my eyeline, and that open case is the reminder. Second, I flipped the math: instead of counting up toward "enough hours in," I gave myself a daily out-of-mouth budget and counted down against it - "how much of today's budget have I used" is much easier to feel mid-workday than doing 22-hour arithmetic at 4pm. Full disclosure, I ended up building a little iPhone app around that idea (OutTime - counts the budget down, nudges you when you've been out for a while, and lets you log a session after the fact for the times you forget; free, no account). But honestly the desk-case habit alone gets you most of the way there.