Beauty Diaries: What I Wish I Knew Before I Got Clear Aligners
Straighten up!
Thinking about getting clear aligners? Beauty Editor Redzhanna shares her tried-and-tested dos and don’ts to prep you for the process.
I used to have shame. It was an ugly secret, removing my Invisalign. At the beginning, I was untrained and uneasy. Whenever I sought to fill my belly, I would cower away from the public eye, finding a quiet bathroom to conceal myself. Once I was sure I was alone, I would then stick my fingers in my mouth, dislodge my clear aligners from my teeth, and shove them—covered in spit—into their sleek, black case. It was my little secret… until it wasn’t. It has been two years since I began my Invisalign journey, and I am tired of hiding. I no longer resign myself to some sad corner to go about my business. Now, everyone has to watch as the horror unfolds.
Just kidding. The first thing you should know is that taking clear aligners out is really not that gross a process, and most people just look away. Really, even if they don’t, it’s gross for about three seconds, and then it’s over—no shame needed. You’ll figure that one out pretty soon into your treatment.
Your orthodontist will also probably tell you that clear aligners are expensive. Sure, the brand name does make a difference—for instance, Invisalign starts from RM10,000 to RM25,000, while Zenyum will cost anywhere from RM7,500 to RM14,000, both depending on your specific case—but regardless, you’ll still be set back a pretty hefty penny. Your orthodontist will also tell you that clear aligners are convenient, effective, and suitable for a large range of cases, and they’re right. But I’m not here to focus on what your orthodontist will let you know. I’m here to tell you what you should know before biting the chewie, based on my personal experience, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
Disclaimer: I am not an orthodontist. It’s best to consult with your dental provider to see if clear aligners are right for you. That said, if you’re thinking of getting aligners, here are some things you should consider:
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You have to keep your trays in for 22 hours a day
This sounds like a lot of effort, and it is. If I’m being totally honest, I don’t stick to this rule as rigidly as I should. I suppose that’s why I’m still getting adjustments after two years! That said, the two-hour food window is doable, as long as you’re pacing your meals well. It’s easier than you think—just stop watching brainrot at the dinner table!
You can get treated remotely
One of the reasons I decided to do Invisalign over traditional braces is the flexibility. I travel a lot, so I don’t really have the time to book myself in for monthly check-ups. Fortunately, after my first two appointments—the first to get my teeth scanned and the second to collect all of my trays—I haven’t really had to see my orthodontist at all. Instead of monthly checkups, I send her a few pictures of my smile from varying angles over WhatsApp and schedule an appointment once every three to six months (to eight) months.
It’s been a great arrangement for me, except for the part where I got lazy with sharing photo updates over text. Let me be clear: If you cannot be trusted to follow through on your progress, clear aligners are probably not for you. Long story short, my negligence ended up causing a huge setback with my plan, and I don’t want that to happen to you. More on that below…
You have to brush your teeth after every meal
This should be a no-brainer, but in case you need the reminder, the stakes in your oral hygiene skyrocket with clear aligners. While your trays won’t directly cause enamel damage, if you’re putting them over unbrushed teeth, they can trap food particles against your chompers, leading to plaque buildup and potential cavities. Damage aside, too much hard plaque can cause your aligners to fit poorly, which in turn can affect your treatment results.
Also, putting in your trays before cleaning your teeth can cause staining in the clear plastic, which is purely cosmetic but something to consider. If you really can’t be bothered to do a full brush-down after every meal, at least make sure you’re rinsing your mouth out thoroughly with mouthwash, or at the very least, water.
Chewies aren’t just a suggestion
When you get your aligner sets, you’ll be given a thick, flexible tube of plastic called a “chewie”. Its function is in the name—you chew down on it to get your trays to sit properly on your teeth. Your orthodontist will tell you how important it is to bite down on the chewie every time you put the trays in your mouth, and if you’re like me, you will ignore that advice.
You’d also be a total idiot to ignore that advice. Take it from me: if you don’t bite down on your chewies regularly and for the recommended amount of time, your trays will not move your teeth properly. What happens then? Like me, you’ll end up with a tooth that has receded back up into your skull.
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Poor diligence will yield unwanted results
I know you did a double take at that last line, so heed my warning—your adult teeth may have fully descended, but this doesn’t mean that they won’t go right back where they came from. I was instructed to change my trays once a week as long as I was following instructions properly. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t. Despite being considered a “complicated case”, I was lax about using the chewie and keeping my trays in for the full 22 hours. No surprise, my teeth weren’t being set properly between tray changes.
It was fine for the first few months, but eventually, my trays ended up fitting very poorly. By the time I’d gone to my orthodontist for advice, I was lisping from the poor fit, experiencing tooth pains, and a canine had snuck its way back up into my gums (yikes!). So, instead of being done with my treatment plan in 10 months, I ended up being fitted with rubber bands and given another year’s worth of trays.
I feel like it’s worth saying that though I wasn’t perfect, I was still clocking in a good chew every two days and approximately 20 hours of wear a day. It would have worked out fine if I’d just spoken to my doctor, who would have let me know that all I had to do to fix it was wear each tray for a longer period of time. But, because I didn’t, it ended up delaying my treatment. Basically, the moral of the story here is to keep your orthodontist in the loop so they can suggest ways to make the treatment work for you.
Your trays and case can get gross
This should come as no surprise—leaving a saliva-coated tray in an enclosed case for any amount of time is bound to cause some icky smells. This is especially true if you’re out and about and unable to rinse your trays before slipping them back into your case between meals. That said, you don’t have to resign yourself to the big stink.
I’ve found that mouthwash is the cure-all in pretty much every situation. If your trays and your case are getting really gross, your best bet is to soak both in a mouthwash bath. It’s so easy—just fill the case with mouthwash, pop your aligners in and leave it for 20 minutes. Better yet, flip your case halfway to make sure it’s deodorised from all angles!
An ultrasonic cleaner is a must-have
In my experience, brushing aligner trays between meals and at the end of the day is a huge chore. One purchase that I will never regret is my ultrasonic cleaner. Not only does it clean my aligners perfectly, but it also tackles my jewellery and glasses. If you don’t trust yourself to stay on top of your cleansing routine, invest in an ultrasonic cleaner.
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The verdict
Despite everything, if I had to go through the process of Invisalign again, I would. I’d definitely be more diligent, but as it stands, I love the results so far. I’ve got a fair few adjustments to go, but the improvements in my smile are already significant.
Not only do my teeth look straight and lovely, but the treatment has tackled my biggest issue—my bite. I’ve gone from having a wonky bite that made closing my mouth hard to having a great, comfortable set that lets me chew my food without discomfort. At the end of the day, orthodontics aren’t just aesthetic, they’re essential!
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