I totally relate to the random setbacks. I’ve had brackets pop off right before family events, and it’s stressful. Have you ever tried those little ortho wax containers that attach to your keychain? I lose the regular packs constantly, but the keychain one actually sticks around. The “normal” experience definitely doesn’t exist—mine’s been nothing but unpredictable too. Does your ortho say anything about why some months are slower? I always worry it means something’s wrong, but apparently it’s just how teeth move sometimes...
Funny you mention slow months—my ortho just keeps saying “everyone’s timeline is different,” which honestly feels like code for “we don’t really know.” I’ve had entire checkups where nothing seemed to move, then suddenly a gap closes overnight. The unpredictability drives me nuts. I actually started tracking my own progress with photos and notes, just to see if there’s any pattern... but so far, it’s mostly random setbacks and the occasional surprise improvement. Those keychain wax containers sound way more practical than the tiny boxes I keep losing in my bag.
Ugh, I totally get what you mean about the unpredictability. I kept thinking my teeth would move in some steady, logical way, but nope—random bursts and then weeks of nothing. The “everyone’s timeline is different” line makes me a little anxious too. Tracking progress with photos is smart, though. It’s weirdly reassuring to look back and realize there actually *is* change, even if it doesn’t feel like it day to day. Also, those tiny wax boxes are the worst for getting lost—I’ve started stashing backup wax in every bag I own... just in case.
Also, those tiny wax boxes are the worst for getting lost—I’ve started stashing backup wax in every bag I own... just in case.
Haha, I thought I was the only one with a weird wax hoarding habit. There’s probably a rogue box rattling around in every coat pocket I own at this point. And yeah, the “weeks of nothing” thing is so real. For me, it felt like my bite wasn’t changing at all for months, then suddenly one tooth moved overnight and everything felt different. Looking back at old photos was honestly the only thing that kept me sane during those slow stretches.
Honestly, I stopped buying the official wax after losing like three boxes in a week. Found a generic brand online that comes in a big tub—way cheaper in the long run, and I just refill my little case. The slow progress is rough, but my ortho warned me it’d be a marathon. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just my anxiety making me hyper-aware of every tiny shift...
