Week 3 - Get Your Pain Killers Ready

Okay, so when I wrote the post on attachments I only had my trays in for a few hours - not enough time to really know how I was going to feel. I have decided (purely in my own mind nothing scientific) that 19 attachments means multiplying the new tray pain by 19. My whole head and face hurt and I could hardly bare to chew anything harder than applesauce. By dinner time my new trays had triggered a migraine and I ended up taking some serious pain killers in hopes of sleeping it off.

The good news is that by morning, I felt 10 times better and was able to cope through the rest of the pain without anything stronger than OTC meds. Now, 4 days later, my teeth still ache and a couple actually hurt. Plus, I have taken again to using my home repair kit to fix some hot spots and doctor some mouth injuries. Wax and I know each other on a first name basis now.

I also find that they trays remain difficult to remove. I actually dread taking them out. And a couple of times I actually ate with my aligners in just because I couldn't bare to put myself through taking them out. I also find that I am very deliberate about what and when I eat right now (that could end up being a good thing, who knows?). Thankfully, putting the trays in isn't an issue. This whole experience has given me new empathy for my son with his contacts.

This leads me to a singular conclusion - on new tray days I will wait to put my new trays in until after dinner and take precautionary OTC pain medicine to help buffer the discomfort. It is my hope that I will sleep through most of the discomfort and wake up in the morning able to cope with the pressure. Hopefully that will work....