Scientists and spiritual teachers agree that the simple act of smiling can transform you and the world around you.
From regulating your heartbeat and lifting your mood to reducing your stress levels, improving your self-confidence and your relationships, smiling regularly can have a huge number of benefits on your physical and mental health.
Smiling is also contagious so all of those feel-good chemicals that are released into your bloodstream when you smile can have a really big impact on every single person you come into contact with.
Being able to smile, like really smile, is a really beautiful thing.
So, imagine what it’s like feeling panicky at the thought of having to smile for a photo?
Imagine what it’s like dreading social situations, as there’s a good chance that it will involve lots of smiling and laughing?
Imagine what it’s like wanting to smile or laugh and express your feelings but you stop yourself from doing it.
This is the reality for so many people and it was my reality too.
Up until two years ago, I hated getting photos taken. I’d yell ‘delete’ at Carlo every time the camera got too close to my face.
I was uncomfortable meeting people for the first time and I felt really self-conscious when in social settings where talking, smiling and laughing was the norm.
And all of this was because I hated my teeth. They were overcrowded, all different lengths and really crooked.
I always smiled with my mouth closed, which made me look completely miserable and I covered my mouth when I laughed, which made me look and feel a little strange.
I was feeling extremely happy on the inside in this photo which was taken at Iguazu Falls but my face just doesn’t convey that.
I think I look uncomfortable and the smile looks forced and that’s all because I was conscious that I had to make sure my teeth weren’t on show…
I know what you’re thinking. “Why didn’t I just get braces when I was a teenager like everyone else does if I hated my teeth that much?”
And the answer is because I was absolutely petrified of the one person that could actually make all of the above go away and give me my smile back.
Typical, eh?!
Living With Dental Phobia
Dental phobia is a real condition and, like so many other people, I had it bad.
A study estimates that 60% of people have anxiety about going to the dentist, and about 5-10% of people have “dental phobia,” which is an actual condition in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Suffering from dental phobia is no joke and no matter how petty being petrified of lying back in a dentist’s chair may seem, it’s something that I had no control over.
Those that suffer with it will know what I’m talking about.
From hiding appointment cards that came in the post from my mam and dad to pretending I didn’t have a toothache when I was in complete agony, I did everything I could to avoid going to the dentist for 18 years.
Yes, 18 years.
But that all changed 2 years ago when I finally came to a point where I was tired of hating my teeth whilst secretly wishing I had the courage to take that first step and book an appointment.
As outlined in this post about travelling with Invisalign that I wrote back in August of 2016, me turning 30 and my sister getting engaged are the two big things that finally made me take action.
I got a few comments and emails from people over the past 2 years asking for updates on how the treatment went and if I’d recommend Invisalign so I figured a follow up post was in order.
And, after finally completing my treatment just 4 months ago, there’s no better time than now to recap on my treatment and the results…
How long did my Invisalign treatment last?
My treatment lasted for a couple of weeks short of 2 years. That’s longer than average but both my orthodontist (who was Jenny from West Coast Orthodontics) and I wanted my teeth to look as good as possible so I took all of the refinement sessions I was offered.
Am I happy with the results? Before and after Invisalign!
I’m absolutely thrilled with the results. Ok, I don’t have a smile that’s perfectly symmetrical and Simon Cowell worthy but I would have got veneers if I’d wanted that.
I still have small imperfections that not even Invisalign could fix (I’m looking into dental bonding to improve the shape of some of my bottom teeth) but the difference in the before and after is crazy and I couldn’t be happier.
This was taken approx 1 year into treatment.
Would I recommend Invisalign?
100%. But, be warned, you MUST wear the aligners for the recommended time-frame of 22 hours every day to get maximum benefits.
Being honest, I found the first few weeks difficult in terms of getting used to the sharpness of the aligners and learning how to speak properly with a mouthful of plastic but that adjustment period didn’t last long.
Like so many other people I worried about socialising with Invisalign, drinking alcohol with Invisalign, flying with Invisalign, backpacking with Invisalign and just day-to-day life in general when it came to eating and oral hygiene but I can honestly say that it was all a breeze.
Once I was committed to wearing my aligners for the required 22 hours per day, I just juggled everything around that and made it work.
When taking a long flight, I made sure to have my container and cleaning bits with me. I made sure to sit in the aisle seat as that gave me easy access to the bathroom after meal times.
When going out for dinner and a night out with friends, I took the aligners out when eating and put them back in after brushing and flossing. I then stuck to clear drinks and drank with a straw when possible.
When I left the aligners out for longer than I should have on a particular day I wore them for an extra day before changing to the next.
It’s all of these little adjustments that made my treatment so easy and stress-free.
After 2 years of living with Invisalign, I would highly recommend this option to anyone who’s looking to improve the appearance of his or her smile.
This was taken 1.5 years into treatment.
The aligners are virtually invisible which is a great option for those that don’t want to wear traditional metal braces because of how noticeable they are.
Invisalign is also really flexible as far as brace options go.
I could take them out for special events and could eat whatever I wanted with the aligners removed. With a bit of commitment, maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping the aligners clean is also super easy.
And, most importantly, the results that can be achieved are remarkable and watching my teeth move day by day was the best feeling.
To finish…
We live in a world where images of “ideal” beauty and people with big bright Hollywood smiles bombard us daily so it’s easy to feel self-conscious with our imperfections.
But feeling self-conscious about your teeth doesn’t just have physical implications.
Things become a lot more difficult and problematic when those imperfections also keep a person from expressing their feelings and enjoying life to the full.
That was life for me pre-invisalign but I’m so happy to say that all of that has changed.
Before And After Invisalign (Sorry the quality isn’t amazing – phone pics!)
If you hate your smile as much as I did but you can’t bring yourself to make an appointment out of total fear of having to let your dentist look at your teeth, I hope that my experience might give you the confidence to change your mindset and take that first step to getting the smile you’ve always wanted.
Having the confidence to smile whenever you want without having to think about covering your mouth or moving your face to a specific angle is possible. And being able to get a photo taken and face the camera head on with a big smile without feeling uncomfortable is also possible.
Whether you visit a dentist in your own country, in the UK (I’ve heard great things about vallancedentalcentre.com, who are based in Manchester) or further afield – the main thing is that you do take that first step and get an appointment!
And, trust me, after coming out the other side, I promise it will be totally worth it.
Have a question or comment about Invisalign? Just pop it below and I’ll be sure to respond.
Sorry if you’ve covered it already, but did it hurt at all?
Looks like the teeth move a lot. It’s that painful?
Thanks
Hi Joe, it is really painful at the beginning as there’s massive pressure on your teeth and I had to get used to taking them in and out which I didn’t want to do as that was sore too. Once that initial 2-3 weeks was over and I wore the retainers for the required time, the pain was minimal and I only felt it for the first few nights when wearing a new aligner.
Hope that helps. 🙂
Thanks, that’s good to know!
Hey Florence,
All your info was really helpful – I’m wanting to get Invisalign soon but worried about it getting in the way of my travelling/backpacking plans.
Did you find you could only eat food out when there was a sink/bathroom to brush your teeth before/after? I guess that means no eating street food when you are travelling…
Thanks!
Hi Jess, I would never give up eating street food as I love it! I used to just pop them out, give them a quick rinse with water from a bottle and put them into the container whilst eating. If I wasn’t going straight home after eating, I’d just find a toilet somewhere close by and I’d nip in there and floss and brush.
Hope that helps. 🙂
I just started with Invisalign a few days ago. And yes, I can feel the initial soreness on my teeth! I should have adjusted my normal diet/routine before I started with my first set of trays, but unfortunately I did not. For the past year or so, my general routine is that I only eat from noon-8pm and then the rest of the time I sip on water or hot tea. Not having my tea to sip on all day is much harder than I thought it would be! Did you find that your body adjusted fairly quickly to any diet changes caused by not wanting to remove your trays for snacking or beverages?
Hi Erin, It took me about two months to really get into the flow of eating. I would only take them out for breakfast and dinner in the beginning as I hated the thought of having to take them out and put them back in as it was very sore. My bottom teeth were especially sensitive and taking them out to eat a snack or have a cup of tea just wasn’t worth it.
Once that pain died down, I began taking them out more often but I’d still normally just stick to breakfast, dinner, tea and I’d take them out when drinking tea or coffee as I was strict when it came to brushing and flossing so I always had to weigh up if taking them out and doing all of the cleaning was worth it. I did lose some weight during the first few months as I wasn’t snacking like I used to. Wearing Invisalign definitely makes it easier to say no when someone offers you a sweet or chocolate which I was thankful for in the end!
Not sure what I’d recommend instead of the tea as it will warp and stain the trays over time. :/ You might have to just stick to the water, which is hard (I love my tea too) but you might be thankful for it in the end. You can be a little more flexible in the days leading up to changing trays so maybe treat yourself then. 🙂
Just a quick note to thank you for sharing your journey – have read both of your posts about Invisalign and am feeling considerably more hopeful. This is day 2 for me (34 trays to be changed every 2 weeks) – the pain is pretty bad right now – and I can’t get past the fact that there is a foreign object in my mouth – it’s pretty bad. Your results are amazing and you make a beautiful case for sticking with it. I’m 46 and I’ve been struggling with it because it feels ‘vain’ – possibly midlife (lol), but I’m determined to get over the doubt and see it through. Thanks again!
Aw thanks very much Karen. 🙂
I feel your pain as it was unbearable for those first few weeks. The good news is that I’ve been there and I promise that it will pass and you’ll get used to having them in. You’ll get to the point where it will feel stranger having them out than in – hard to believe but it’s true! You deserve to have a smile that you love so don’t feel bad over it. The results will be more than worth it.
Best of luck with your treatment and if you’ve any other questions, just send me an email. 🙂
Hi,I’m 2 days into my invaslign and was goggling ‘can I drink prosecco while wearing Invisalign’ and your post came up! The before and after picture looks amazing.
Like you, I was completely dentist phonic after I had a truly horrendous dentist as a child. I’m only just starting to get over it 30years later. I should have had a brace as a child but didn’t as a result of the dentist.
Anyway, I’ve bitten the bullet and even though it’s hard to get used to I am pleased that I’ve done it.
Thank you for your really helpful blogs xx
Glad you found them helpful Laura! 🙂
Your experience sounds identical to mine as it took me ages to get over my fear and just do it. The first few weeks are difficult but you’ll be soooooo glad you made the decision and stuck with it. I regret not doing it sooner but also think of how glad I am to have done it when I did and not wait for another 10 years or so.
Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment and enjoy the prosecco (with a straw!!!!) 🙂
Hey Florence,
I’m a year into a two year treatment and fingers crossed it’s all going well after last trip to the orthodontist last week. She told me I can wear them between 10-12 days now before changing and I can make the call but keep an eye on any gaps with the liners.
She talked at the end about having finishing liners before I guess going onto the night retainers. Did you have these and what are they like compared to the normal ones?
Invisalign has definately been the best way to go for me and apart from a couple of embarrassing moments in public when your trying to sneakily remove them from your mouth when there’s no one else to go I’m real happy with the results.
Glad to hear Mark. 🙂
I had my fair share of those embarrassing moments!I never heard of ‘finishing liners’. For me, I went from wearing the regular retainers every day to wearing the night retainers every night. I’ve reduced that now to 3 or 4 nights per week and all is going well. 🙂
I finished almost 2 years ago now so maybe they’ve come up with a new set of aligners that will prep the teeth for the switch. Would be interested to hear how you get on. 🙂
Wow, Florence, what a difference!
I just finished my Invisalign Express treatment (16 wks, upper arch only–have a one-tooth bridge & some crowns below) and got my retainer today. Had a good dentist as a kid but he was terrible with orthodontia–the braces kept breaking and I had trouble applying the elastics; after 10 years he removed them a week before my wedding. Round 2, age 28-32–a bit overcorrected but then I barfed up my retainer at a party in rural Nova Scotia and we never found it; too embarrassed to go back.
Fast forward to age 68 (!). On Prolia now, which makes extractions & implants verboten–so I vowed to do whatever it took to keep my top teeth from getting looser & falling out. I steeled myself for yet more braces, but Invisalign Express not only helped stabilize my teeth (or will have, after a year of retainer), but made them straighter than they were before the fall I took at age 10 that was the raison d’etre for orthodontia.
I travel (though not as much as you) and am a foodie/oenophile (i.e., wino with credit cards). Traveling by car and singing with the aligners in was no problem. I too have my handy-dandy “toolkit” with me at all times. (I add a collapsible lidded silicone drinking cup, as I carry purses too small to accommodate a water bottle). I’ve only flown once during treatment (short flights bet. Chi. & NYC), ate in the airline’s member lounge, and drank only seltzer on the plane, so no problem there.
But at least once a year I take a long trip across the pond (two “ponds” last April), with the first return leg from Tel Aviv-NYC nearly 12 hrs. No idea how to deal with that wearing aligners or now my retainer. (My ortho says I need only wear it at night, but other sites say at least 18-22 hrs. the first few months; the thought of leaving it out for more than a couple of hours at a time scares me). Any tips for dealing with brush/floss/aligner cleaning in a tiny airplane lavatory (and not grossing out your seatmate when taking your teeth “out of jail” at mealtime)? At restaurants, I’d generally wait till the food arrives and hide behind a serviette to remove my tray; then as soon as I’m done run to the loo and do the oral-hygiene thing. I even used a “TrayMinder” timer app on my iPhone! My ortho assures me I needn’t be so obsessive about my retainer as I was my aligners.
So I assume that you, too, now wear a retainer. Any more words of wisdom?
Just read your post. It’s day 3 for me and I’m having a hard time adjusting with eating. On top of the fact that I wear the invisalign I also had the gastric sleeve. I can eat only so much. For example I had a cheese stick and half of a drinkable yogurt. That was about 4 hours ago but I get hungry again. I’m also suffering from major dry mouth. Any tips?
Hi Julie – I can’t give you any advice on the gastric sleeve. :/ Regarding dry mouth, I never suffered from that – it was quite the opposite for me actually! I’m not really sure what the best approach would be. Maybe consult with your dentist and see what he/she would recommend. Sorry I’m not much help to you!
I’m week 3. I change my trays every week. I have attachments on all but 6 of my teeth.
Did you find it difficult to remove your trays during meal time?
I’m only eating breakfast because it is too painful to remove them more than once.
Yes Tonya – it was very painful for the first 2-3 weeks. Like you, I ate as few times as possible just to avoid taking them out.
It will get better and you’ll get used to taking them in and out. I found it hard to see that in the beginning but I promise it does. 🙂