Small diversion: Invisalign

I started Invisalign last November.  When I was researching the pros and cons, I came across several blogs who just wrote one or two posts about their journey. These helped me a lot because they weren't paid for or written for anyone.  So I knew I'd write one at some point as well.
So please excuse this one small diversion which I hope will help someone researching Invisalign.

Invisalign is a clear aligner system to straighten your teeth.  I have to be honest...i love it.
I'm at the half way point*.  I change aligners every 10 days and there are 37 total.

Things I have learned over the last 6 months:
-I can successfully brush my teeth at work without getting toothpaste on my shirt. My lanyard has been hit a few times, I will admit.
-My  mouth will toughen up and heal up quickly.  I doubted this the first few days adn the first few days after the attachments (think small spikes of doom places on the outside of your teeth for superior leverage)..but my mouth has moved past the pain and with the help of a little filing, everything is fine.
-Public restrooms.  They are a difficult thing for me on a good day.  So now add having to brush my teeth and rinse my aligners in them.  I will tout disposable pre-pasted toothbrushes forever now for this purpose.  I agree..not environmentally friendly. But for an OCD microbiologist who must brush her teeth in some pretty scary places..there is no choice.  I also like the Wisps for those times I just can't bring myself to do it. That has happened.  Twice.
-I have had to decline taste testing or samples in stores often.  I thought this would be a good weight loss activity but apparently I make up for it during the meals.
-I take protocols and tweak them to my needs.  I do wear the aligners a lot and almost the 22 hours they recommend.  I also ALMOST always only drink water while wearing them.  White wine is REALLY close to water, so it counts.
-These:

little devils made of rubber designed to move your teeth in large swathes.  I do not like them.
-I thought traveling would be difficult but it hasn't been. My purse is extra heavy with the oral hygiene items already so traveling is really  nothing more. Eating in the car is definitely more difficult but I do that rarely already.
-They do work.  My top aren't as noticeable yet due to the major renovations required in the molars. so while I can tell, no one else can. The bottom on the other hand have made a pretty good move so far.

Someone likened it to wearing shoes.  You notice them when you first put them on in the morning and likely in the evening on your home after a long day. But on average, you don't really 'think' or notice your shoes.  Same with the aligners.  I notice them when they first go in and usually after a long day of talking, I want nothing more than to take them out a minute or two.  But normal segment of the day, I don't notice them.
Which explains the occasional time when I try to tear tape or hold something with my teeth. Which when your teeth are coated in plastic, that no longer works.
so that's my intrusion. I will move back to doggie blogging now.  I may post another final one once my fronts are done and I have a more normal smile. ;-)


*half way is relative.  The first round is the big one of 37. But then they will re-scan my teeth and I will get another set of 'refinements' which should be much less. So in reality I have no idea of when this will be over. BUT I do know it will be worth it in the end.