Week 10 Update & A Couple of Questions

I got some great questions from a reader.  Thanks so much!  If anyone has any questions about my whole brace experience, feel free to ask.  Here are the questions: 

1)  Did I need teeth removed?  No.  I had all four wisdom teeth removed when I was 17, so I had plenty of space on top and bottom in the back.  I had mild crowding in the front with some spaces between my lower front teeth so that gave me some extra room.  All my snaggly teeth can freely migrate to where they need to be!

Week 9 Update

A few observations about the power chain.  It traps more food and requires more brushing.  Flossing is also more challenging.  

The rubber bands are really a breeze to wear now and my teeth are not as sensitive as a week ago.  The back teeth are the most painful and there's no getting around it with eating.  :(

Week 8 Update + 1st Day Pic

Tuesday I saw Dr. Johnson and he was really pleased with the progress.  He mentioned that the front teeth can be challenging, but mine have moved nicely!  I felt great :)  Then, my balloon of joy slowly deflated...

Week 7 Update

Lately it's been very easy to eat.  The sensitivity of the top front teeth has finally lessened, but that will be short lived.  I go for my first follow up appointment next Tuesday.  I'm thinking he'll check the progress and hopefully give me a new wire.  I can't wait for the Suresmile wire.  That's when fine tuneing will begin.  I'm hoping at my visit he'll be blown away by my progress and say we're ahead of schedule!

FDA Issues Warning To Invisalign

Well, well, well.  What do we have here?  You can read all about the FDA warning here:  Invisalign Gets FDA Warning

Week 6 Update & Weird Itchy Feeling?

Recently I've noticed I get this weird itchy feeling on my teeth.  It's hard to explain and pinpoint, but basically it feels like my teeth are itching.  Chewing gum is the only thing that calms the sensation.  It's very bizarre.

Week 5 Update & Why Brushing In Public Bites

Who is good about brushing after every meal?  I am.  Because adult orthodontics aren't covered on my dental insurance - it's considered cosmetic - I pay the full price.  Ca-ching, Ca-ching.  Anyway, I'm very consistent with flossing daily and brushing after every meal and am always double checking to make sure they are clean.

Any other time I'm not too far from home, so I just wait to brush when I get home or if I'm with my family, I'll use their restroom.  Lately I've been working temp at an office and have had to use the public restroom.  Let's get one thing straight, I don't like it.  There's nothing like the constant sound of flushing and gastric symphonies to thwart one's desire to brush.  It's completely the antithesis of what I'm trying to accomplish - a clean mouth.

Week 4 Update + 1st Day Pic

It's Tuesday!  You know what that means?  A picture update!

Random Thoughts About My Grill

I've been paying so much attention to the bottom chompers and side snaggles, that I didn't realize how much the buck teeth have moved!  Today I was staring obsessively in the mirror at my teeth trying to make sure I brushed them good enough when all of a sudden I found myself gasping "Oh my gosh!" "Jigga what?" "Jigga who?"

I was overjoyed when I noticed the little a-shape at the bottom of my two front teeth was closing up.  In the spirit of neurotic flossing, I also noticed spaces that were once tight are loosening up which means (drum roll please) the teeth are turning!  It's so awesome.  I heart braces :) 

I can't wait to see what my Ortho says about them.  I am wondering if maybe, just maybe I will get them off sooner.  They seem to be moving fast.  I was thinking that I would make some awesome jewelry out the brackets and wires at the end of this journey.  I kid, I kid.  Or am I???

Let's see, after I get them off I will get them whitened and I want the whitest white.  I want to light the way at night!  Then, I want to wear red lipstick to emphasize the whiteness.  Then, I'll look into a possible career as an extra in a toothpaste or mouthwash commercial.  So many plans for me and my grill.  I kid, I kid.  Or am I??? ;)

Week 3 Update

Can I just say that I really think certain teeth are about to fall out!  I know it's all in my head.  Some just hurt so much.  They only hurt when I eat on them or brush them.  I still can't use the front and bottom chompers to bite down.  I'm thinking it's going to be like this until I get them off. 

As I wrote earlier, popcorn is my favorite food and is also now my Kryptonite with these braces.  It is so delicious.  I haven't had it in weeks and last week I went to the movies with my mom and here's how the conversation went:

"You want to share popcorn?  Oh wait - you can't eat that" she said.
Looking dejected and sad I mutter, "No".  Thinking she'll probably not get it. 
Hesitating she replied, "I'm getting it.  Sorry!"

Week 2 Update

I should have posted this on Tuesday but the internet has been up, down, and overall annoying! 

I've noticed when you talk to a fellow brace wearer, you instantly bond  Some of my friends' children have gotten braces. In my case, I've bonded with teenagers and a 10 year old recently.  It's like you become instant friends knowing you share the same goal and plight (at times).  I'm anxious to see their end results too.  It's funny.  So far none of my friends have noticed my braces, but their kids have. 

Yesterday John my nephew, whose teeth I was jealous of, finally saw my braces.  He was happy for me, but then later he passed by me and said "Train coming through!".  I thought it was funny but he was worried he hurt my feelings, hugged me and said "I"m just kidding".  Yea, that's right.  A train is coming through and it's headed for Straight Teeth Town!

Let The Love/Hate Begin

What started out as pure eagerness and blinded love has turned into pure love/hate.  The braces have taken a lot of fun out eating in general, but then I took my niece out to lunch and the hate cometh! 

She wanted chips and queso dip.  I tried to get her to consider other appetizers but she wanted it.  The chips came thin, salted, and crispy.  I thought I could eat them since they were so thin.  There they were in a bowl looking at me.  So I tried to eat one by breaking it into little pieces.  It was getting the job done but then it started to cause some pain.  I started getting frustrated and just quit all together.  I mean, who eats a chip by breaking it into small pieces?  Sometimes I feel like a toddler trying to eat. 

Then came her burger.  I was so jealous.  Everyone says I can eat those things but tearing food into small pieces and placing it in the back of my mouth (the pain free zone) is just not the same.  I haven't been able to use my front teeth to bite down on anything because they are too painful.  That's where most of the crowding is.  So I had to watch her chomp into her hamburger while I knifed and forked my penne pasta.  Sigh...

Let me remind myself.  It's only a year, it's only a year, it's only a year.....

1 Week Progress

I made it through my 1st week!  Here are a few updates. 

The beginning
The first few days were very painful.  I'd compare it to the pain after something hits you in the mouth.  It wasn't excruciating.  It was a nagging, throbbing pain.  After the 3rd day, most of the pain was gone and it was only slightly uncomfortable when I ate.  Some teeth hurt more than others.  Oh, and one tooth was loose.  It's to be expected, but still weird.  During the first few days I was complaining and resented them, but that's just because emotions were running high as well as pain.  I'm happy with them.  It's just a transition period that will get even better with time.

Braces Are On! Let the countdown begin...

I just got back with my new braces! 

A few things about the experience:

1) No pain; Slight discomfort.  The overall process from cleaning to wire placement was pretty quick and easy.  The cleaning was fine.  The impressions were my favorite part.  I had the opportunity to pick my flavors.  I chose chocolate and strawberry.  It was like biting into a piece of saltwater taffy!  It only lasted a minute thought :(.  The only discomfort was the device used to hold my tongue in place when they put on the brackets.  It would put a little pressure on the soft tissue under my tongue.  It only lasted for 20 minutes or so.  It wasn't bad.

Out With The Old

Today I went to the store and bought soups, puddings, and other soft foods to get me through the week.  I'm going by what my husband tells me from his experience and what I've seen on a list my nephew had with braces.  After I get my own list I'll probably head back for a few more things.

When I got home, I realized I had a lot of foods I had to get rid of.  Out of sight, out of mind.  So with great sadness, I looked Orville in the eye and said "Parting is such sweet sorrow".  Then I reluctantly got rid of the microwave popcorn, popcorn kernels, tortilla chips, and other hard foods. 

This is going to be difficult because I love to crunch.  The crunchier the food, the better.  Must not think about it too much. 

Farewell Favorite Foods

My favorite snack in the whole world is....popcorn.  I eat it at least once a week.  I realize I'm putting the nail in the coffin of my beloved popcorn, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make in the name of good teeth!

My wonderful husband surprised me by sending me a variety of Garrett Popcorn yesterday.  He's the best!  If you've got a bucket list, Garrett's needs to be on there.  Don't even get me started on their cheese popcorn...

Metal. Ceramic. Invisalign. What'll it be?

My husband, a former brace face, really wanted me to get Invisalign.  He didn’t want me to feel the pain or discomfort of traditional braces.  He was all about Invisalign.  Before I could really decide, I had to do my homework.

I did a lot of research.  I have researched so many devices like the Damon System, Invisalign, SureSmile, lingual braces, fast braces, etc.  I read reviews of the products and then of course I interviewed someone I knew who recently had their braces removed – my nephew John.

Adult braces?! Why???

I have always been self conscious of my smile.  In pictures or videos, I try to remain far from the lens.  It’s the first thing I zero in on.  When I bite an apple, I can’t help but look at my teeth marks and wish I had straight teeth. 

My teeth aren't that bad, but I would like them to be straight.  The front turn inward and to the side; one tooth is slightly hiding behind one of the big ones; there is spacing and misdirection on the bottom.  For once I’d like to give a huge smile in a picture and not hope for the power of Photoshop!