Ouch!

All I have to say today is....OUCH.

I cut my tongue on my brackets, and new irritation causing me to need wax.

In the end...these minor irritations will make it all worth it!

First Adjustment...or A Tale of Twin Archwires

My first adjustment appointment was today. It went fairly well. Aside from the fact that they had to readjust my plan when they saw what my teeth had done. I was supposed to have a coil placed on top, but for some reason I wasn't able to. I believe that my upper canine moved more than they had anticipated. I ended up instead with a double archwire on top. No changes yet to the lower teeth at this time. Apparently the lower canines need some more rotation before I can have a new wire, otherwise I'll be popping brackets.

So, here's my new brace face. No white ligatures, only wire ties right now. I'm guessing that those tiny rubber bands, which were a heinous shade of yellow when they came off weren't tight enough to hold the twin wire in place.


I also got a pat on the back for my Oral care. I showed off my "Wonder Woman Dental Care Kit" that I carry with me all the time. I'll give you the details on my ultra personalized home grown version of the over priced Denta-Kit later in the week.

Adjustment on Monday!

My first adjustment appointment is Monday. Finally! I've been looking forward to this since I got my braces! It's crazy, right?

Looking back at my first photos, I can see visible progress. The changes are small, but I expected that. My teeth have a lot of moving to do.

Waterpik

I purchased the a cordless Waterpik yesterday. My first attempt at using it was tonight. Much like using a toothbrush for the first time, I was a bit awkward. Once I get used to it, I think it will be much easier. It's really great. I'm sorry I scoffed at the New Patient Coordinator when she suggested that I buy one.

I currently have so many oral care items in my bathroom, you'd think I was a dental student.

Pause. Breathe. Remember why you did this!

I discovered that Soy Nuts (which aren't nuts) are an excellent replacement for my beloved nuts of all kinds. They also satisfy my crunch craving. These, however require that I drink water after every minuscule handful that I pop in my chew hole. Not that it's a bad thing... They are a scant bit better for me than Peanuts.

Now, let me hate on my Orthodontia for a moment....
It seems lately that everything I eat has decided to take up residence in my braces. I'm seriously considering hte purchase of a Waterpik. I didn't want to spend the money, but I'm so annoyed with the constant brushing and flossing and re-brushing after every single meal and/or snack session.

One Month!

I have officially been braced for 30 days! There's not a lot of visible changes, but the teeth are moving, and I still feel pressure. My first adjustment is November 1. It's also the worst possible time for my adjustment to come. I'll be handling reservations for a special marketing program at work.

That weird little thing on the lower archwire is a stop. They clipped a wire that was poking me a couple of weeks back, and they placed that to keep the wire from slipping out the back buccal tube.

More updates later. I've also developed a slight obsession with pumpkin lately.

Week One Progress Report

I don't have anything amazing to report, so I'm just going to post some images this week. I'm still feeling pressure, so I know things are moving. I'm not in pain anymore, which is wonderful. I guess that's one of the joys of orthodontic treatment in your adult years.

Before my braces. Everyone said that my teeth were so straight.
Yeah, look at that snaggletooth!

The first day. That's when people started noticing that my teeth weren't straight.

One week later. No visible changes, but I know they're working!

My Orthodontist says that I'll be getting a coil on my next visit to push my front teeth out of the way of my snaggletooth canine. I also noticed that my teeth are a little yellow.... ew. I think I'll be getting some whitening done after these bad boys come off! Also, I don't drink as many colored sodas, tea, or coffee so I'm sure my teeth will be whiter soon.

Pastina with Egg and Cheese

Behold. The ultimate comfort food for people with braces. I give you Pastina with Egg and Cheese. I suppose those without brackets and archwires will find it both comforting and delicious as well.

Before I got my braces on I scoured the internet looking for recipes that might be both easy on the braces and easy to prepare. This met all criteria. I know the photo doesn't look like much, but this really packs a yummy punch. I'm full and happy!

So, how does one make this dish full of heavenly pasta? Read on, dear friends....Read on...

I got this awesome recipe from Framed, my commentary is in green
(Serves One)

1/4 c Pastina (These are awesome little star shaped pasta, you could probably also use Acini di pepe if you can't find Pastina)
1/4 tsp Salt
1 egg, lightly beaten (This isn't the time to take out your aggression)
1 tbsp shredded parmesan (Don't buy the stuff in the big green can, unless you want it to taste like cardboard. Get the good stuff, from the deli case)
Pepper to taste (Seriously, fresh ground is best, but it you use the other stuff that's ok too)

Bring one cup of water to boil in small saucepan. Add pasta and salt. Cook until most of the water is absorbed, 3-4 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in egg, letting it cook in the hot pasta. Add butter, cheese and pepper.

This is best enjoyed curled up in your favorite pajamas, cozy socks, beside a warm fire. If it's too early for the fire, like it is here in Florida, just enjoy it in your flip flops on the back porch beside a burning citronella candle to scare away the skeeters.

Oh, by the way, I'm feeling more like myself these days.

Some improvement.

I was finally able to chew "real food" today! Real food being some Chicken Strips from Chick fila and some diced canned peaches. I also managed to eat some taco meat with Cheese and diced tomatoes with small bits of warmed flour tortilla. I can't even begin to describe how excited I am about this!

Cold water is my new best friend. It calms the constant pressure I'm feeling, and it soothes the sores from my brackets. I drink so much water, I don't think it's even possible that I'd be dehydrated!

I ditched the Listerine after the first night, because it was totally painful. I've decided to use a plaque rinse in the morning when I wake up and a ACT Flouride rinse at night before I go to bed instead. The Sensitive tooth Enamel Protect from Colgate is awesome, and I'm finally using my Sonic Toothbrush again. I have been using my wax less and less, which is fantastic! My worst pain is in the mornings, so I'm switching to protein shakes for breakfast until my mouth toughens up a little.


Let me take a moment here to say thank you....to some people who've been so amazing to me this week. I am so grateful for my darling Jason. He's been so supportive, so understanding, and so wonderful to me. Bringing cold water and applesauce to me in the mornings when he makes his lunch (he goes to work at 4:30 am so my mid morning snack is his lunch), and checking in on me to see how I'm feeling. This has been an adjustment for him too. Also, my mom and dad have been excellent. I'm a beast to live with sometimes, and right now my monstrous tendencies are a bit escalated, so kudos to them for not killing me!

Braces Bonus!

I've discovered that the right side of my jaw, which has an annoying tendency to pop every time I open my mouth, seems to be behaving. It might just be all in my head, but the cracking and popping that I was experiencing is 90% better! I'm hopeful that this is a sign of more improvement, and it will continue throughout my treatment.

My lips are still shredded, but I can tell that the scar tissue is building, and my favorite remedy is simply cold water over the sore spots. I'd suck on an ice cube if I wouldn't be so tempted to chew on it. Orajel and wax help me to make it through the work day. I still can't believe that I've gone through 2 packs of Orthodontic wax since yesterday!

Day 1 Addendum

If you're following me on Facebook, then you're well aware of the fact that I'm in copious amounts of pain. Basically, everything sucks right now. I keep reminding myself that the end result will be worth it. No pain, no gain, right?

The inside of my lips feels like pulled pork. Listerine burns like the fire of a million suns. I can't chew anything, I can't eat anything...I feel terrible. At least my adorable kitten knows that I'm feeling bad. She's been by my side all evening. She's currently curled up on my bed. I'll be joining her shortly.

I hope I can make it through the work day tomorrow. Maybe I should have taken 2 vacation days instead of just the one.

Day One

Braces installation went well. Aside from the vacuum plate digging into my salivary glands, it was relatively painless. So far, everything is okay. There's a little pressure, and my lips are starting to get scratched.

I certainly don't look like my 30th birthday is in less than 5 months away! In fact, I think I almost look like I'm about to turn sweet sixteen!


So, the journey to straighter teeth begins. Hello Squeaker Beak....so long snaggle tooth!

Pre-Braces Food Bonanza

I have a little over a week left before I become the Squeaker Beak, and I've been on what I've been calling the Pre-Braces Bonanza, which involves me eating everything on the planet that I can't have for the next 22 months.

I'm a notorious Junk Food Junkie with a rabid sweet tooth. I have a feeling I'll lose some weight because I can't have some of my favorite junk food treats. I'd make a list, but the things I've put into my body in the past week would cause you a heart attack.

Since I'm planning to have ceramic braces with clear rubber banding, I'm also going to avoid foods that have the greatest potential to stain the ligatures. Here's hoping that I can manage to find foods that satisfy the foodie within while facing orthodontic treatment.

I think I'm going to begin posting my favorite Braces Friendly foods, or foods for those days when chewing seems like a nightmare.

Flavored Goop?

I wish I didn't have 18 days to agonize over the pain and torture I'm about to inflict upon myself, in part for vanity. Though after a meeting with the impression maker, you'd swear I was just a masochist looking for a fix....

Once I made it through the financial meeting with the new patient coordinator, I was sent to the person who would make impressions of my teeth. It was here that I discovered one of the coolest things to happen to Orthodontics since my first treatments almost 20 years ago. (Aside from self ligating braces) The "goop" they use to make impressions comes in basically any flavor you can imagine. I wasn't aware that this gunk came in any flavor other than "gross." After the tech rattled off a list of options, I selected "Orange Dreamsicle." It seemed to be the least heinous sounding flavor of the bunch.

Can I tell you a secret? I don't really think it matters what flavor you choose, because it tasted exactly like every other goop I've ever had in my mouth. So, no matter what they try to tell you, all that crap is going to taste the same. It's also going to make a huge mess, so don't expect to go anywhere fancy after you've done this. Even after you've cleaned up, it still feels like there's chunks of putty all over your face and between your teeth. I really wish I'd gotten pictures of that whole process.

I'd much rather give my friends and family the benefit of a good laugh, rather than a room full of teenaged strangers.

Who is Squeaker Beak?

In less than 4 months, I will celebrate my 30th birthday - in braces. That cute little "snaggletooth" that I have on the upper left really bothers me. It's the only thing out of place on the upper jaw. The lower jaw is just a train wreck of crowding, making it hard to clean, and a pain to floss. So, I made the decision to consult an Orthodontist.

I know it doesn't look like I have a whole lot off issues, and the truth of the matter is, I don't. Compared to some adults in braces, my case is relatively simple, thanks in large part to my parents who made sure I got Phase 1 treatments done while I was younger. Do I wish they'd gotten me in braces when I was a teenager? Of course I do! Then I wouldn't have to be the one paying for them today!

So, Why Sqeaker Beak? Why not Brace Face, or Tin Grin? Why not Metal Mouth? It's simple really...

While walking home from school one day, early in my treatment, which included wearing a headgear at night, my younger brother and some of his little friends thought it would be cute to torment me. They called me the usual names, but one really stood out, and it was the one that really bothered me. "Squeaker Beak" I'm pretty sure that my brother got into trouble for teasing me, and unfortunately, I never had the chance to repay him for that.

Today, of course, I find it amusing. It's clever, and I'm embracing it this time.

My hope is that with the correction of my bite, I will grind less, and some of the minor issues that relate to my TMJ will correct themselves.

September 20, will mark day one with full braces. I've opted for a combination of Ceramic and silver brackets. I'll be honest, it's purely cosmetic. So, brace yourselves--Squeaker Beak has returned!