WIRED FOR SOUND....

So today was the Big Day! I went in at 8:00 to Dr Merrill's office. I drove there even though it's less than 150 yards from my house. I knew I was already going to be late to work, so I just left as soon as the Braces were on. Goodnes gracious, as happy as I was to have those darn "Spacers" taken out...this really didn't seem so bad. (SEEM...that's the word here) I had enourmous relief whent the spacers were taken out and the metal "Bands" were placed around my back Molars. I'm sure that they have cut into my gums a bit...but still, feels better than those spacers. The worst part really was when they took the bands off long enough to apply "Cherry Flavored Cement" to them and shoved them back on. I must tell you that there was NO similarity between this Cement and Cherry anything. In fact, I almost called the entire episode off. This Cement had to stay on for at least 5 minutes (or 5 hours, I can't remember) I had to grab a gauze off of their tray and hold onto my tongue to keep it away from the offending "Flavor". After the set time limit, I was allowed to rinse, spit, swish etc with water and mouthwash. (none of it helped and I can still taste it even now) It's possible that I might just be a little more sensitve than other people...not sure..but maybe.
Braces are not for the weak I tell you. Put them on your kids while they are young enough to not question what is being done to them. I feel like I need to call each of my girls and apologize for not taking their complaints more seriously.
I knew that my teeth were crooked before, but now that there are these little silver things with wires going thru them all across my teeth...you can Really tell how crowded my mouth is. Very Zig-Zagging if you ask me. Don't look too closely at the picture though, or you will notice a slight green tinge on one tooth. It might be broccoli, or it might just be a reflection of my shirt. They sent me home with enough tools to build a NASA Space Ship. I have used most of them already. I have tried to use the wax, but not ever really enjoying playdough much...I can't get the hang of it.
Unfortunatly for the rest of you...I will keep you posted on this.

Spacing Out.....

Yesterday I got my Spacers put in. They are small blue things that look like Rubber Bands and are put in place between some of your Molars to make room prior to having the "Bands" (Braces) put on. I only had to have 5 instead of 8 (Thank God!) The assistant who was supposed to put them in was not able to get them through my teeth, so she had to call the Orthodontist over to do it. He told me that he only does about 4 patients a year. If you want to know what it feels like, floss your teeth with a rubber band and then leave it in between your teeth. Try to eat while chewing on this little piece of rubber. Try to keep you tongue from touching the piece of rubber. After awhile, the soft little rubber band feels like a huge piece of wood wedged in there and your tongue gets real sore. I am told that this is the hardest part. 12 days and counting………

BRACE YOURSELF

Besides seeing that I have no makeup on, no upper lip, a tiny mustache and some discolored teeth...you will also notice that I have a very crowded jagged set of teeth. I have had a jaw that pops for years and was told that Braces would help. I had 3 daughters who needed them more than I did (or at least that's what I told myself) I joked that I needed to get them married off so they needed good teeth. For a time, I wore some special mouth guard to help keep my jaw and teeth relaxed and lined up properly. I lost it at Sea-tac airport and could not afford to replace it. So here I am now 50 years old and trying to turn over a new leaf of sorts. I've lost enough weight that I have only 1 chin now. I had a Good check up and cleaning at the dentist (first time in the 40 years I've been going to the dentist...Yay Sonicare!!) The only thing to complain about was my crooked teeth and how discolored they are. The discoloration is due to old cheap fillings I've had placed over the years. They stain and can not be whitened even by a dentist. So my dentist discussed Veneers with me. These will be like crowns/caps on my teeth to replace the old large fillings I have. But the Veneers will be pretty and my teeth will all be even shapes and lengths. So, before I can get the Veneers, I need to get braces so that the veneers will go on all nice and neat. I have $2000 from Dan's Insurance towards braces and $2000 from My Insurance towards this as well. I am a Very Lucky girl.
I am going to document my journey here with pictures and all.
(Don't everybody jump up and down at once)
On Tuesday of next week I get Spacers. I've searched it online and have seen these Hideous blue rubber band things sticking all over peoples teeth. Looks and sounds awful. I will be sure and let you know. The "Banding" takes place on Feb 2. So be sure and check back for pics of the "Spacers" next Tuesday.
Boy is this gonna be Fun!