I totally get the hesitation—it's normal to worry about discomfort or maintenance. Honestly though, most people I've talked to say the initial adjustment period flies by quicker than you'd think. And the cleaning thing... yeah, it's a bit annoying at first, but after a while, you barely notice it. Plus, the confidence boost from straighter teeth is pretty amazing. Sounds like you're already leaning toward it anyway, so maybe worth giving it a shot?
I was in the exact same boat a few months ago—honestly, I spent way too many nights googling horror stories about braces and aligners (not recommended, btw). But turns out, the anticipation was way worse than reality. Yeah, the first week felt weird and I was hyper-aware of every little thing stuck in my teeth... but now? Barely even think about it. And trust me, the satisfaction of seeing things slowly straighten out is oddly rewarding. You've got this.
I totally get what you're saying, but honestly, I think it really depends on the person. When I first got aligners, I was pretty anxious too—spent way too much time reading those same horror stories (seriously, why do we do this to ourselves?). But unlike your experience, I never fully got used to them. Even months in, I still felt a bit self-conscious and hyper-aware of having something in my mouth all the time.
Don't get me wrong, seeing my teeth straighten out was definitely rewarding, and I'm glad I did it overall. But for some of us who are naturally more anxious or sensitive, it might not be as easy to just forget about it after a week or two. It took me a lot longer to feel comfortable, and that's okay too. Everyone's experience is different, and it's totally fine if it takes you a bit longer to adjust. Just wanted to share another perspective in case anyone else is feeling like they're not adjusting as quickly as others seem to be... you're definitely not alone.
I hear you on the anxiety thing, but honestly, for me, the bigger stress was the price tag. I spent months debating aligners, reading reviews, and then seeing the cost made me choke on my coffee (literally). Ended up going with a cheaper at-home kit, and yeah, maybe my teeth aren't Hollywood-perfect, but they're straight enough that I don't obsess over them anymore. Sometimes good enough really is good enough... especially when your wallet agrees.
Did you find the at-home kit easy enough to use? My son is starting to get really self-conscious about his teeth, and honestly, the thought of braces or aligners makes my anxiety spike—both the price and whether he'll actually stick with it. I'm leaning toward something simpler and cheaper too, but I'm still worried it'll end up being a waste of money... Glad you're feeling good about your decision though, gives me a little hope!
