Beautiful white teeth

Everyone wants and with the myriad options on today s market, the smile you have always wanted is no further than the neighborhood drugstore or your dentist s chair. Dr. Jacqueline Goodling, a New York City based orthodontist and whitening specialist offers her top tips to ensure that every whitening experience is as effective and comfortable as possible.

Not all whiteners are created equal
Both over-the-counter whitening kits and professional treatments offer certain benefits and in order to have the best outcome possible, it is important to understand what can reasonably be expected. Additionally, it is vital to start with a clean slate.

No matter what method of whitening a patient opts for, it is essential to have a professional cleaning beforehand to ensure the best possible results, cautions Dr. Goodling. Plaque and remnant adhesive from orthodontic treatment will not whiten so if they are present, the result will be blotchy and imperfect – far from the radiant smile people want when they whiten.

Some of the best OTC Whitening Kits available include Crest 3D White Whitening Strips, Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolve Strips, GOSMILE, and many more offer high-level whitening at a much lower price point than professional treatments. Their pros include being inexpensive and convenient and they are great for emergency situations or maintenance. The con is that users are more likely to use these incorrectly. Prices range from $20 – $99.

Professional Whitening Treatments include in-office treatments like Zoom! whitening or BriteSmile that offer fast results and doctor supervised at-home whitening, which are more economical and render the same results as in-office treatments, though less rapidly. The price varies from $500 to $1,000.

Top Dos and Don ts for a life-long white smile Once the whitening process is complete, maintaining that brilliant smile is priority number one.
The first step is to complete treatment for the best results.
Chew sugar-free gum.
Dab anti-sensitivity toothpaste directly on sensitive spots and leave it over night.
Talk to your dentist about ACP to instantly relieve sensitivity.
Avoid stain-making foods and beverages like red sauces, balsamic vinegar for two weeks after whitening.

Dr. Goodling is a New York City-based orthodontist with practices in New York City, Long Island, and upstate New York. Her accomplishments are vast: Dr. Goodling is the top ranked female Invisalign provider in New York State, an active lecturer, and was the first female director of BU Dental School s Orthodotic Department.

Long Island Pediatric Orthodontics

Dr. Jacqueline Fulop Goodling is an pediatric orthodontist with one of the largest practices on Long Island, NY. Her staff of pediatric assistants, hygienists, and dentists is one of the most popular dental destinations for good reason.

Dr. Jacquie and her team are clearly the right choice for your child s orthodontic treatment
Dr. Jacquie has more than just a decade of experience and an impeccable track record behind her. She was the first female and the youngest ever director of Boston University Dental School s Orthodontics Department for second, third and fourth year students. Her impressive treatment record and prominent research Dr. Jacquie presented a four year, double blind study on identical twins that compared the effects of treatment with conventional orthodontic methods versus Invisalign has been recognized globally. Dr. Jacquie has lectured in front of more than 10,000 orthodontists, dentists, orthodontic residents, dental students and their teams in multiple fields of orthodontics throughout the world and is recognized as one of the top 10 providers of Invisalign worldwide.

Pediatric orthodontic patients who are treated with traditional braces and their families can also rest assured that they are being treated with the latest, most effective scientific advances in the field of orthodontic treatment. From NASA designed nickel titanium arch wires that make adjustments more effective and comfortable to the most cutting-edge imagining technology, pediatric orthodontics is cool at Dr. Jacquie s office.

Dr. Jacquie values your time as she and her staff care for your children s smiles.
Dr. Jacquie and her staff of qualified pediatric hygienists, dental assistants, dentists, and, orthodontists, love working with children and know how to make sure time spent at her office is as fun and comfortable as possible.

It begins when you walk through her doors into a state of the art waiting room, fully stocked with computer workstations for multi tasking parents, work surfaces for after school visits, video games, books, and more to guarantee the time spent waiting for your appointment is not time wasted.

Teens and children treated at Dr. Jacquie s office, as well as their parents, have access to the best pediatric orthodontic and dental care. Our talented staff of dental professionals is here for you. Orthodontic and dental emergencies are handled swiftly and with care; questions about insurance and rates are fielded respectfully and thoroughly; and the needs of each patient and his or her family are always at the forefront of our practice.

At Dr. Jacquie s pediatric orthodontic and dental practice, we pride ourselves on offering the highest level of professionalism in a warm, inviting environment where every patient feels at home. Please call us at 212-972-3522 for more information to setup your pediatric orthodontist consultation today.

FACE the cold, hard truth

Americans spend hours working on their fitness all in the name of flat stomachs, firm rear ends, toned arms and graceful legs, all the components of a slim, attractive physique. However, the one part of the body neglected during spin classes, morning jogs and hot yoga classes the world over is the face.

Our face is covered in muscles that play a central role in the development of wrinkles and sagging skin, the most notorious signs of aging. Although most people believe the only way to avoid the signs of aging is with topical treatments or plastic surgery, one of the best ways to keep the face youthful and wrinkle free is with exercises that strengthen and relax those muscles. Dr. Jacqueline Fulop Goodling is a New York City based orthodontist whose patients often unknowingly benefit from working their facial muscles throughout the course of their treatment, and as a result see anti aging effects.

Many of my patients are adults treated with Invisalign and their tongue is more active in their mouth, they are using it to press their aligners in, they must slightly purse their lips to close comfortably over the aligners, and they even gently stretch out their mouths to accommodate the aligners,Dr. Fulop Goodling explains, adding that each of those movements actually work out a series of muscles on the face and reverse everything from saggy skin to the formation of jowls. Whatever you call it Facercise or Yoga for the Face, it is very important to engage the muscles of your face in order to keep them looking young and healthy. Often the first time my patients experience it is with their orthodontic treatment, but I always encourage them to adopt it as part of their daily beauty routine and keep it up.

1. Wag the tongue
Open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can, and release your tongue. Hold this pose for 60 seconds.

2. Jazzercise
Mimic the inflated cheeks of a trumpet player to engage a series of face muscles.

3. Queen of the Jungle
Reassert your place as the master of your own destiny (or at the very least, the owner of a relaxed looking visage) by inhaling through your nose, making fists and squeezing every muscle on your face possible.

As an orthodontist, Dr. Jacquie was trained in the musculature of the face and is qualified to explain why working the facial muscles is so important and how doing so can play a meaningful role in preventing, as well as reversing, some of the most dreaded signs of aging.

INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 17-19 (TRAY 9)

Finally! Something not great to report.

MY TEETH HURT! My gums are sore. Sometimes it even hurts to chew. And every time I put my trays back on, I hurt some more! This is my rationale (and my rationale may be 100% medically inaccurate): over the past 15 weeks, the trays I
have worn have readied my teeth for the most difficult part of their journey. Eight aligners have gotten my teeth into position for the big move, a move that will push my mostly straightened teeth right next to each other and then (drum roll, please) widen them all together, all at once. Up until this point the trays were focusing on my most screwy teeth and readying them to go where they ultimately want to be (in perfect order, standing shoulder to shoulder, or toe to toe, with the others).

Is not that what any good tooth wants?

So, in summary: it hurts. And I am uncomfortable. Not all of the time, but much more than I was accustomed to. And that is fine with me. My smile is coming back, and I will endure most any pain or inconvenience to see its full potential.

So bring it, Invisalign, bring it.

(Oh, I also decided to wear this tray for three weeks. I decided on my own, without an orthodontist s supervision. I just felt like I needed a little more adjustment time and this seemed like the right tray to do it.)

Next up: The home stretch

INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 15-16 (TRAY 8)

INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 15-16 (TRAY 8)

Like a Bond girl, but not at all.

It was time for my check-up at the office. I looked forward to the visit but was scared I would be reprimanded for not wearing my aligners enough.

At my appointment, my next trays (the ninth) fit well, but the top tray did not exactly hug the bottom of my teeth (did you follow that?). There was a millimeter or two of empty tray space that hung below my top teeth and (close your eyes!) did a good job of collecting my saliva. I was told this was normal, that some trays will move my teeth more than others, and was given a 4 inch piece of white plastic to bite down on the for next few days to kind of force the trays up into position.

So for 30 seconds, a few times a day, I bit down on the plastic, until the trays hugged my teeth again. My boyfriend said it reminded him of James Bond s rebreather in the Thunderball movie. Which I’m sure means I looked pretty hot.

Next up: Feel the pain

Beautiful white teeth

Everyone wants beautiful white teeth and with the myriad options on today s market, the smile you have always wanted is no further than the neighborhood drugstore or your dentist s chair. Dr. Jacqueline Goodling, a New York City based orthodontist and whitening specialist offers her top tips to ensure that every whitening experience is as effective and comfortable as possible.

Not all whiteners are created equal
Both over the counter whitening kits and professional treatments offer certain benefits and in order to have the best outcome possible, it is important to understand what can reasonably be expected. Additionally, it is vital to start with a clean slate.

No matter what method of whitening a patient opts for, it is essential to have a professional cleaning beforehand to ensure the best possible results, cautions Dr. Goodling. Plaque and remnant adhesive from orthodontic treatment will not whiten so if they are present, the result will be blotchy and imperfect far from the radiant smile people want when they whiten.

Some of the best OTC Whitening Kits available include Crest 3D White Whitening Strips, Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolve Strips, GOSMILE, and many more offer high-level whitening at a much lower price point than professional treatments. Their pros include being inexpensive and convenient and they are great for emergency situations or maintenance. The con is that users are more likely to use these incorrectly. Prices range from $20 – $99.

Professional Whitening Treatments include in-office treatments like Zoom! whitening or BriteSmile that offer fast results and doctor supervised at-home whitening, which are more economical and render the same results as in-office treatments, though less rapidly. The price varies from $500 to $1,000.

Top Dos and Don ts for a life-long white smile Once the whitening process is complete, maintaining that brilliant smile is priority number one.
The first step is to complete treatment for the best results.
Chew sugar-free gum.
Dab anti-sensitivity toothpaste directly on sensitive spots and leave it over night.
Talk to your dentist about ACP to instantly relieve sensitivity.
Avoid stain-making foods and beverages like red sauces, balsamic vinegar for two weeks after whitening.

Dr. Goodling is a New York City-based orthodontist with practices in New York City, Long Island, and upstate New York. Her accomplishments are vast: Dr. Goodling is the top ranked female Invisalign provider in New York State, an active lecturer, and was the first female director of BU Dental School s Orthodotic Department.

New from Invisalign

Align Technology, the makers of Invisalign recently announced the launch of their latest product Invisalign Express 5 designed to treat patients with minor orthodontic issues (mild spacing, crowding and orthodontic relapse) with the same standard of quality Invisalign is known for, but at a much lower cost than traditional Invisalign.

Invisalign Express 5 stands as just another shining example of how Align listens to its doctors. More and more patients present with minor orthodontic issues that they want resolved for that picture perfect smile, but unfortunately they were often discouraged by what they felt was a steep price for the minimal treatment required to achieve their dream smile,explains Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling, a NYC based orthodontist and Invisalign Elite Premier Provider. We want every patient who walks into our office to walk out happy and smiling, and now not only can we provide them unparalleled orthodontic treatment, but we can do it at a price they are comfortable with.

Invisalign Express 5 upholds the same standard of exceptional treatment that the family of Invisalign products is renowned for, including ClinCheck treatment plan that allows orthodontists to view a 3D virtual representation of the desired treatment outcome and the various aligner stages, and SmartForce attachments to achieve predictable tooth movements. It is also compatible with the cutting edge iOC Scanner, which takes perfect digital impressions and eliminates patient discomfort, the need for multiple physical impressions, and environmental waste.

Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling recommends Invisalign Express 5 because it provides patients with minor orthodontic issues a cost effective option to achieve the smile of their dreams. According to Dr. Jacquie, with three quarters of her adult orthodontic practice comprised of second time patients whose lifestyle requires the discretion of Invisalign, Invisalign Express 5 has been received with open arms by those patients who suffer from orthodontic relapse.

About Dr. Jacqueline Fulop Goodling
Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling is a New York based orthodontist and Invisalign specialist. She earned her DMD degree and completed her orthodontic residency at Boston University School of Dental Medicine, where she later went on to assume a professorship and to become the first female director of B.U. Dental School s Orthodontic Department for second, third, and fourth year dental students.

Dr. Fulop-Goodling is a popular lecturer and has taught more than 10,000 orthodontists, dentists, orthodontic residents, dental students and their teams in multiple fields of orthodontics throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, South America and Israel. Dr. Fulop-Goodling has cemented her reputation as one of the most prominent figures in the field of orthodontics as the holder of several U.S. and international patents and the presenter of a four year, double blind study on identical twins that compared the effects of treatment with conventional orthodontic methods versus Invisalign.

INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 13-14 (TRAYS 7)

Let the upper lip issues begin

I think my teeth stopped moving, or that their movement has hit a plateau.

Confession: I am looking forward to being able to take my top trays out for good. My bottom teeth are in a worse predicament than the top, so if everything goes as planned, I will be wearing the bottom trays longer than I will the top. Which is totally fine with me.

My only issue is the (super-duper slight, noticeable to no one but me) change in my appearance when wearing my trays. I think my mouth (at least my upper lip) protrudes a tiny bit when I am wearing them and I feel more, um, feminine, when they are not in.

When this feeling of un-prettiness hits, I just remind myself: I am not wearing train tracks. I will have my dream teeth in less than a year. STRAIGHT TEETH IN LESS THAN A YEAR? I will drag queen it till then. (Possible future Invisalign patients take note: I seem to be the only person who notices the change in my lip. I asked my boyfriend, and some other select friends who I knew would be honest, and they all think I am being too critical. Which would not be surprising.)

Because everything else in my Invisalign process is going so smoothly, I decided to check out the mix of patient reviews/diaries/blogs/journals out there and compare my experience to that of others. Here is a list of common complaints/comments from other Invisalign wearers and my reaction:

Dry mouth: Nope.
Pain: Rarely.
Teeth look bigger with trays in: Sure, a little.
Teeth look shiny with trays in: Sure, a little. (And not in a bad way.)
Teeth look straighter: This is not actually a problem, right?
Teeth cannot fully close: Well, of course, but you would not be doing anything with your trays in that require your teeth to fully close. Practice your semi-close-mouthed smile for pictures and this would not bother you at all.
Stinky mouth: I have never noticed this and unless my boyfriend, friends and family are totally dishonest, neither have they.

The one recurring theme in my experience and everyone else s: we could wear our aligners more. We should all wear our aligners more.

Next up: James Bond and I have something in common.

INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 9-12 (TRAYS 5-6)

WEEKS 9-10 (TRAY 5)

The craziest thing about Invisalign is that it makes your teeth move. The next craziest thing about Invisalign is that wearing your trays requires little to no outside supervision. Once I had my attachments, I had 12 weeks of wearing them without one appointment to see Dr. Jacquie. Imagine that? How well Invisalign works (and how quickly) is completely dependent on you and how much you behave (or misbehave). When I had braces, I made frequent visits to the dentist, for cleaning, tightening, rubber-band changing. This time, the straightening of my teeth was entirely up to me. I would not say Iam the model patient, I definitely have been taking plenty of liberties with my wear-time, but it feels strangely good to know that if my next trays don’t fit, itis my fault. The truth is, it is better to behave, but there is room to misbehave. I like that about Invisalign. I imagine everyone likes that about Invisalign.

(I really hope my next trays fit.)

Save up to $1,500 on Invisalign.

Schedule your appointment today. Insurance accepted. Our office is conveniently located near 30 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Call: 212-972-3522

WEEKS 11-12 (TRAY 6)

Iam not sure what straight teeth deities are looking after me but somehow, despite my less-than-stellar behavior with my trays (some people need supervision!), the sixth installment of my trays went on no problem. Thank you, straight tooth fairies.

However, I have a headache. It hurts. Itis either the sun (hello, heat wave) or my trays. Perhaps the gods that have allowed me to get this far in my treatment are reminding me that there are consequences to my actions, and while my trays are fitting, they are going to be tight if I choose not to wear them 22 hours a day.

When I first got my trays I was told to bring the case they came with everywhere. That temporarily storing my trays in paper towels was not a good idea, as many, many people have accidentally thrown them out. But no one told me how easy and practical and convenient a homemade paper towel Invisalign container is, especially when you are in the kitchen, and about to eat. Just pop them into a napkin or paper towel, season and taste your food, and enjoy your meal. The trick is remembering that the paper towels are not garbage, and should not be put in the garbage.

Fast forward an hour: I threw my trays out, accidentally, after reminding myself while cleaning the kitchen NOT to throw that particular wad of paper towels out, as my trays were in them. Fortunately, they were tossed at the very end of my cleaning routine and were easily retrieved from the trash but LESSON LEARNED. Use your case!

Update:

I still do not use my case. I leave my trays in so many random places (on the bedroom windowsill, in the linen closet, in my boyfriend s glove compartment) and not-so-random places (in the bathroom vanity, next to my toothbrush; on the bathroom sink, next to my toothpaste) that I lose them all the time. I do not actually lose them, it just takes me longer to find them then say, if I USED MY CASE. But there is always that quick sensation of panic, the I lost my trays, what am I going to do? moment, that really is not worth it. So use your case! The relief you feel after going through your friend s garbage only to realize you put your aligners in your laptop bag is so not worth the coffee grounds now stuck under your fingernails.

Next post: I hit a plateau

Invisalign Express 5: Just What The Doctor Ordered for Slightly Imperfect Teeth

NYC-based Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling explains why Invisalign Express 5 is the next big thing in orthodontics.

New York, NY (February 27 2012) – Align Technology, the makers of Invisalign, recently announced the launch of their latest product Invisalign Express 5 designed to treat patients with minor orthodontic issues (mild spacing, crowding and orthodontic relapse) with the same standard of quality Invisalign is known for, but at a much lower cost than traditional Invisalign.

Invisalign Express 5 stands as just another shining example of how Align listens to its doctors. More and more patients present with minor orthodontic issues that they want resolved for that picture perfect smile, but unfortunately they were often discouraged by what they felt was a steep price for the minimal treatment required to achieve their dream smile, explains Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling, a NYC based orthodontist and Invisalign Elite Premier Provider. We want every patient who walks into our office to walk out happy and smiling, and now not only can we provide them unparalleled orthodontic treatment, but we can do it at a price they are comfortable with.

Invisalign Express 5 upholds the same standard of exceptional treatment that the family of Invisalign products is renowned for, including ClinCheck treatment plan that allows orthodontists to view a 3-D virtual representation of the desired treatment outcome and the various aligner stages, and SmartForce attachments to achieve predictable tooth movements. It is also compatible with the cutting edge iOC Scanner, which takes perfect digital impressions and eliminates patient discomfort, the need for multiple physical impressions, and environmental waste.

Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling recommends Invisalign Express 5 because it provides patients with minor orthodontic issues a cost-effective option to achieve the smile of their dreams. According to Dr. Jacquie, with three quarters of her adult orthodontic practice comprised of second time patients whose lifestyle requires the discretion of Invisalign, Invisalign Express 5 has been received with open arms by those patients who suffer from orthodontic relapse.

About Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling
Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling is a New York City-based orthodontist and Invisalign Elite Premier Provider. She earned her DMD degree and completed her orthodontic residency at Boston University School of Dental Medicine, where she later went on to assume a professorship and to become the first female director of B.U. Dental School s Orthodontic Department for second, third, and fourth year dental students.

Dr. Fulop-Goodling is a popular lecturer and has taught more than 10,000 orthodontists, dentists, orthodontic residents, dental students and their teams in multiple fields of orthodontics throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, South America and Israel. She has cemented her reputation as one of the most prominent figures in the field of orthodontics as the holder of several U.S. and international patents and the presenter of a four-year, double blind study on identical twins that compared the effects of treatment with conventional orthodontic methods versus Invisalign.

Dr. Fulop-Goodling s multiple, flourishing practices and her academic and professional achievements caught the attention of Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign, in 2005 when she was asked to join their National Speaker s Bureau through which she continues to lecture at some of the county s most renowned dental schools on the use of Invisalign. Additionally, Dr. Fulop-Goodling was named Invisalign s National Spokesperson for their hygiene campaign and in 2009 the company asked her to become a spokesperson for Invisalign Teen, which she proudly helped to launch on The Tyra Banks Show in June 2009.

Dr. Jacquie, as she is affectionately called, is one of the top 10 Invisalign doctors worldwide and has treated close to 2,000 Invisalign patients and countless more with traditional braces. Her practice includes three state of the art locations in New York Manhattan, Long Island, and Rockland County that are all equipped with top of the line computer imaging systems, digital radiographic equipment, and a number of unexpected accoutrements to ensure an unrivaled patient experience.

INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 7-8 (TRAY 4) Getting attached INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 7-8 (TRAY 4) Getting attached

My trays and I were about to get a whole lot closer. After six relatively painless weeks as an Invisalign patient, I returned to Dr. Jacquie s office for the next step in my teeth-straightening process. Small attachments were going to be bonded to the front of six of my teeth, three on top and three on the bottom, the placement chosen by Dr. Jacquie.

The attachments would help rotate and “pull” my teeth into position. Sounded good to me.

At my appointment, a giant plastic spreader (probably not its official name) was placed in my mouth, to keep my teeth fully exposed and my tongue in place. Have you ever tried to restrict movement from your tongue? Apparently my tongue has a mind of its own and does not like being restrained. Visualize a person on crack confined to a straight jacket. That was my tongue. Blasts of air and cool water cleaned and dried my teeth, after which a composite resin (the same thing dentists use to fix chipped teeth) was applied and dried on six of them I put my trays in. They snapped into place. I expected to feel pain but I did not. It took a little more effort to get the trays in, and then out, of my mouth but I was still remarkably pain-free. The giant plastic spreader was much more uncomfortable than this.

The attachments, when your trays are not in, feel like dried up crazy glue. You may want to run your tongue over them. You may not be able to help running your tongue over them. The same color as your teeth, the attachments are barely visible, but a close look reveals tiny bumps on your teeth that go less and less noticed as the time goes by. With the trays on, they look like little blisters on your teeth. They are very, very good at catching, and keeping, food on your teeth. (Now would be a good time to recommend you start carrying around a pocket mirror. Once I got my attachments in, I would not go to dinner, or out to eat with anyone in public, without one.)

Over the next 14 days, I got one headache and took zero aspirin. The weeks were so uneventful, I am almost disappointed. I thought my transition to attachments would be harder but other than that one headache, things have gone very smoothly. For the first few days, it did take a little more effort than usual to remove the trays (you might want to grow your nails a little), but I found that I liked the sound they made when I snapped them into position. It is those little reminders that reassure me that I’m being proactive about my teeth.

What was not uneventful these two weeks was my schedule. I was celebrating my birthday, a friend s birthday, and Father s Day. There were BBQs and summer bashes, dinners in restaurants and tequila gimlets on the beach.

I did not want to wear my trays on my birthday. So I took many more hours off from them than I had in past weeks. Appearance-wise, I feel like my jaw protrudes a little when I am wearing my trays, especially right after switching to a new one. I have not figured out if it really does (my friends say no) or if I might be compensating for the extra hardware in my mouth by puckering my lips when they are in. I just knew that I wanted to be tray-free for my birthday. As my boyfriend parked the car before my birthday date, I popped my trays out (something I was getting really good at doing) and went on my way. “Are not you so glad you did not get wire braces?” he asked. “Can you stop taking them out in front of me, though? That noise is gross, and sometimes I can, you know, see saliva.” YES!” I responded. IT was true, I was thrilled I did not have wire braces. I had have to work on not taking my trays out in front of him, though.

P.S. Before this office visit, I wondered if my teeth could really be moving so soon, and right in the direction I needed them to head. Dr. Jacquie confirmed they had moved, indeed (.75mm to be exact). Sweet!

Next week: When there is no one to blame but yourself

INVISALIGN: A (MOSTLY) LOVE STORY WEEKS 5-6 (TRAY 3) Learning to wear and care for my tray

I think my teeth are moving. Is that possible, so soon, to see movement in my teeth? I had no idea but was happy when I noticed my two most troubled teeth moving into a more aesthetically appealing position. They seemed to be shifting into place. If this is what one month of trays looked like, I could not wait to see me after six more.

Tray 3 went in with ease, and nothing new really happened. So here is a list of things I have learned so far:

There is no classy way to remove your trays in public. Use discretion (and a tissue!) if you choose to pop them out at the game, by the pool, or in the car with your boyfriend/girlfriend.

Love to floss. If you do not love it now, learn to love it.

Your trays do not own you. You own them. Be really good about them but don’t miss out on living for them.

Go swimming. Ocean water feels good. And your mouth will not taste like taffy, promise.

Did I mention flossing? Seriously, floss. A lot.

The people around you do not notice your trays as much as you think they do.

The people who do notice might stare at your trays. Let them. You do not have to tell everyone you run into that you are wearing aligners. Let them wonder what that clear veil of awesomeness over your teeth might be.

Brushing, flossing and cleaning your trays is super easy in the shower. I try to shower after breakfast just for that convenience.

Going tray less is OK. I would rather leave my aligners out at a wedding than attempt to floss, brush and floss some more while in a cocktail dress in a reception hall bathroom. Or the Penn Station bathroom. Um.

In summary: Live your life. Just make sure you floss. Life is more livable than you think with trays in, so do not be turned off by social, work, or play situations because you are wearing braces. Pick and choose when not to wear your trays. But choose wisely, you want your next trays to fit. Wear them to the museum, but take them out at the wedding. And floss, floss, floss.

Next week: My trays and I get a whole lot closer