Things nobody tells you before starting clear aligners

But there are a few things you don't really appreciate until you're actually wearing them.

They're clear, but they're not invisible

Most people will need attachments. These are small tooth-coloured shapes that we bond onto certain teeth to help the aligners move the teeth.

They're discreet, but you will notice them. You'll probably spend the first few days inspecting them in every mirror you walk past and wondering if everyone else can see them.

They might, but probably nowhere near as much as you think.

The first time you try to take them out can be interesting

We will show you how to take your aligners in and out before you leave.

You'll do it successfully here.

Then you'll get home, try to take them out for dinner and somehow they'll feel completely stuck.

This is very normal, particularly if you have quite a few attachments. There is a knack to removing them and you'll work it out surprisingly quickly. Before long you'll be taking them out without even thinking about it.

You might have a slight lisp

Some people don't notice any change in their speech. Others do.

Your tongue suddenly has a piece of plastic where there wasn't one yesterday, so it can take a little time to adjust.

The good news is that it usually settles quickly. And you're almost certainly more aware of it than everyone you're talking to.

You may decide some snacks just aren't worth the effort

You can eat whatever you like during aligner treatment. You just take your aligners out first.

But that also means taking them out for a biscuit. Or one lolly. Or the handful of chips someone has just offered you.

There comes a point when you think, “Do I actually want this enough to take my aligners out?”

Quite a few of our patients tell us they snack less while they're having aligner treatment. Not because we've told them to - they just can't be bothered taking the aligners out.

You'll start carrying a toothbrush everywhere

Work. Handbag. Car. Overnight bag.

You'll become much more aware of what's sitting on your teeth when you know you're about to put a clear aligner back over the top of them.

You'll also become very good at locating the bathroom after eating out.

You'll have opinions about a fresh aligner

A new aligner feels tight. Your teeth might feel tender and taking the aligner in and out can be a little uncomfortable initially.

A few days later, that same aligner feels completely normal.

Some people love changing to a fresh set because they like that tight feeling - it feels like the aligners are doing something.

We recommend changing to your new aligners before bed. That way you get through those first few hours while you're asleep.

Your first set of aligners might not be your last

If we tell you that your treatment starts with 20 aligners, don't necessarily start counting down 20 weeks until you're completely finished.

We plan your tooth movements carefully using 3D software, but teeth are attached to humans rather than computers and they don't always move exactly as predicted.

At the end of your first set we may scan your teeth again and order additional aligners to make further movements or fine-tune the result.

This is a normal part of aligner treatment and something we plan for from the beginning.

And finishing your aligners doesn't mean you're finished forever

Then come the retainers.

Teeth continue to move throughout life. It doesn't matter whether they were straightened with braces or clear aligners - if you want them to stay where we've put them, you'll need to wear retainers.

By the time you've finished aligner treatment, wearing something on your teeth at night will probably feel completely normal anyway.