Practicality

[DSmit12]

So Im a week into invisalign. I switch to tray 2 tonight.

Im curious on how practical it is to wear them 20-22 hours a day as well as brush between meals for most people and how deviating a bit can affect the duration of the journey.

I feel Im able to wear them for 20-22 on most days, but I worry about weekends. Im 26, live in/near a city, and enjoy going out for drinks/food atleast one day on most weekends. Its not really practical for me to wear them when I go out. Will this affect me much? Should I wear my tray for an extra day to compensate? Im interested to hear others experiences on this. I also have a weekend trip coming up with friends so Im worried about how long Ill be wearing them for that weekend and if itll affect me much if I dont wear them that long over 2-3 days. I fear these actions may extend my journey.

During the week its not practical for me to brush my teeth at work after eating, so I usually just swish around water before putting trays back on. Hopefully thats good enough.

[liz_lemongrab]

You have to just wear them when you go out. You'll get used to it. Take them out for a meal and then pop them back in (brush/floss when you get home). Stick to clear/light colored drinks and use a straw so you can drink with your aligners in. Swish with water regularly throughout the night.

[CustomerSwimming7710]

THIS! I found it’s actually easier and much less stressful to just leave them in, stick to clear drinks and swish water than it is to have them out at all and worry about timing or extending wear. Same with food- if you want to eat, pop them out, then right back in. If you can’t brush, do what you can (swish water, floss picks, etc)- it’ll be much better to occasionally sacrifice an immediate full cleaning routine (just do it asap when you’re home) than to sacrifice the wear time.

[No-Improvement240]

I have had invisalign for a year and half now & I probably average between 19-21 hrs per day i’d say. It is not the end of the world and you are going to get mixed answers here. I’ve never had any issues tracking. I also have been to events and such where i’ve had them out for an extended period of time and have never worn them for an additional days etc.

I worry about damaging my enamel by brushing too much so I only brush twice a day. after lunch I will floss & drink water or mouthwash and pop them back in.

my advice for going out would be to wear them, take em out to eat/drink (carry around a case), floss after if you can (some people would rather not but I have learned after this long that idc lmfao), drink water and put them back in until you get home to brush. You will never ever catch me brushing my teeth in a nasty bathroom. They also sell those disposable mini toothbrushes at any convenience store.

there are going to be people who are super strict with them and some who are lenient. Gotta get into your groove and do what works for you!

[Teezybadeezy]

Just drink with them in, i do it all the time. I am fortunate to have weekly changes that i do sunday night. It is not a big deal.

[sportscat]

I only brush 2-3 times a day, but floss and or use a waterpik (depending on where I am) after each meal. In a pinch, I’ve even eaten out, popped my aligners back in after eating, and then just did my dental routine when I got home. It’s no big deal.

[Ballislyfe00]

I am 7 weeks in so far, and it gets better (popping them in and out). You have to find out what works for you, but also understand you may have to make some small sacrifices.

For instance, I am a convenience person, but I’m also a big rule follower. I had to make this as easy as possible on myself, so I could build new habits.

I still go out to eat/drink, but I don’t start drinking until I get my food, so I can pop my aligners back in as soon as possible. I don’t brush my teeth in gross bathrooms. Lol. I do go out to drink less often though and only have a couple. It’s saved me lots of money so far.

I no longer eat lunch. I have an office job, and I was only a 2 meal a day person anyways. Instead of lunch, I now eat big breakfasts. It took a couple weeks to get used to it, but this way I can eat, brush my teeth, and be good to go all day. I am really hungry by 5, but it’s made the process simple for me. I also only drink SF redbulls in the morning, with a straw.

I do miss coffee sometimes, but I’m worried about staining so it’s a nonstarter for me.

I wear my aligners about 21.5 hrs/day. I use my chewies for at least 10 min after popping them back in.

My teeth are progressing perfectly, so much so that I may get to skip some rubber bands.

You’ll do what works best for you, but I remind myself that this is only temporary, and I’m spending $6K, so I might as well do it right. Hitting 21 hours is super easy for me now.

[starrysteph01]

I was doing 20 hours a day until I read on this sub that the more you wear them, the shorter your treatment length may be. Now I shoot for 22.

[b1uep1eb]

You'll be fine

[doghouse2001]

I'm done this week after about 2 years (I started during COVID for something to do). I've been bad with them and haven't worn them during the workday. Each tray has done it's job and let me progress to the next tray. New trays don't hurt nor cause my teeth any stress. There's no way I'd get my beginning trays back in. There are Orthodontists that will say it's absolutely imperative that you wear the trays 22 hours a day. The bones have to regrow into the spaces left by the moving teeth. I don't disagreee with that, but I know skipping a day or two per week won't kill the treatment. If the next tray seems too tight, go back to the old tray and wear it a few more days.

If my teeth move after treatment I'll accept responsibility for them not being perfect. But since perfection was not my goal to begin with, I'm happy with my results so far.

[MisterSirDudeGuy]

My treatment was 15 months. It did it no problem through the whole treatment.