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.