Braces and dating...

So, not only did I just have my first date in 12 years, but I did it with braces! (I'm not a hermit, I just broke up w/my boyfriend, of yes, 12 years - go figure.) So, I created a profile on eHarmony and OF COURSE, the big question was where in my profile I break the news about my braceface. I ended up deciding that one picture (w/caption) of me with braces thrown into the rest was plenty explanation. After a few back and forth communications with my potential suitor, flash forward to me driving to my date and getting last minute panic - MAYBE HE DIDN'T SEE MY PICTURE WITH BRACES!!! SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!

I, of course, couldn't help myself and asked 5 minutes into it "you did see that I had braces, right?" He laughed and said, "yes, they look good!" Lol. He may have been lying, but I appreciated it:) We had a great time and I think we'll probably go out again.

Most importantly, when I got to my car, I didn't have any bits of food stuck on my teeth. This is going to be very interesting...

Separators Round 2 :(

When my braces were 'installed' two weeks ago, most of my molars were still so tight that my ortho couldn't get bands around them. He was only able to get them on my back 2nd and 3rd molars in one area (lower left).  At the time he told me I had to come back in two weeks to get separators AGAIN to try to finish the job. That's what I did today. And sadly, since I clenched my way through the rubber kind last time, he used metal separators (not pictured below). They really hurt! I go back in two weeks so that he can finish the job. He did mention right away that he could see movement. If you say so doc...

If anyone is wondering why I'm talking about my wisdom teeth (3rd molars), remembering I had oral surgery in July, it was my freak of nature 4th molars that were extracted. I had an extra on both my lower sides.  For a small girl I apparently have a huge mouth and don't need to have my real wisdom teeth removed. Yay!

And just because I know you all want to get a REALLY close up view of the inside of my mouth...

My ortho would like bands on the very back teeth. 

My lower left is the only 'completed' quadrant. #19 was pulled many years ago after it cracked in half. The space is much bigger than what the picture shows. 

Notes From A 2 Week Braceface

Hi All! Just thought I'd jot down some of my musings over the last two weeks for those of you who haven't gotten your braces yet (Beth!).

1 - You may be a little horrified the first 5-7 times you look in the mirror. Panic may set in: "What did I do?! Can I change my mind?!" You'll get over it. Eventually, you will laugh at your image b/c you look 14 years old and may even think it's sorta cute. (P.S. I'm very happy I went with metal brackets).

2 - Dental Wax is gross. Although, it's quite necessary the first few days to apply wax to some 'hot spots' in the mouth, it's gross. You may not think so until the first time you brush your teeth and pieces of wax fall off and land on your tongue or lip. It reminds me of that scene in Austin Powers when Goldmember eats skin out of a little box. Sorry, but it's that gross! There's a solution to this problem! Gishy Goo (thanks Nicole)! It dries into a hard plastic that will stay in your mouth all day and can easily be peeled out.

3 - Oral hygiene takes a looooooooong time. I have a Sonic Care tooth brush and instead of using the 2 minute cycle once, I do it twice. 2 mins on the bottom, 2 mins on the top. Flossing is the pits, although it's gotten MUCH easier and faster after ordering some Glide Single Use Thread Floss. They are great, each piece of floss already has a threader built in on the end.

4 - Don't go anywhere without a touthbrush! You're crazy if you think you've swished all the food out of your brackets with water and your tongue. Because you DEFINITELY have a gigantic black bean and a piece of spinach sitting on your front teeth.

5 - Lipbalm is your best friend.

6 - I really haven't had a ton of pain, but I have a baby wire on now. I suspect it will be worse when my OD steps up my wire thickness.

7 - PATIENCE!!!! I apparently have NONE, since I keep taking pictures of my bite to compare to Day 1. Maybe if I squint hard enough I'll see some movement...

Anyway, hope this helps.
xo,
Amanda

Have you heard?

The tin grin is in...

It was a pretty painless appt. It took about 45 min. The most painful part was sitting in the waiting room with all the kids before they called me in. I know I'll get over it bc my favorite part was when I asked the 12 year old in the chair next to me if he thought baby blue (ligatures) was a good color. He did.

I have to admit, it was a little shocking looking into the mirror for the first time. I feel like I'm 14! As soon as I got over the initial horror (took about 5 minutes) I was able to let my excitement take over. I can't believe I am ACTUALLY starting this journey!!! I was thrilled when Dr. Hang finished our appointment with "let's get you to surgery as soon as we can."

I do have to go back to him in two weeks for more separators. My right side is very stubborn, he was only able to put one band on each the lower and upper right, bc everything was still so tight.

can't wait till #8&9 move down. 

And the award for most pre-braces posts goes to...

Ok, I know I probably most definitely hold some sort of record for most posts before actual treatment, but I really wanted to do a pre-braces video! It will be exciting to see how my speech and articulation will improve with a closed bite. Have a great weekend! xo Amanda

video 1: pre-braces from amanda k on Vimeo.

Nerd Alert

Howdy everyone. In preparation of Braceface: The Sequel next week, I've been easing into contact lenses. We'll see how this works... I haven't worn them (except for a handful of weddings, etc) for quite a few years and I figured braces were going to be too much bling to also sport my frames. And even though I'm a big nerd in real life, I don't necessarily have to advertise it. Well, except for on this blog... So, in evidence of my nerd-dome, here goes: I'm VERY excited about the return of Dr. Who next weekend, am very disappointed in Torchwood this season, and this is the only picture I've ever taken with an actor(s)... 

You are all probably too young and/or normal to know these men are from

Star Trek: Voyager, my absolute favorite series of the whole Star Trek franchise. 

Tuvok was on set too, but wasn't around for the pic. 

 

xo. Amanda

Separators

I'm so excited that I had a real appointment at my ortho's yesterday. Had my separators put in. They told me I would be in a lot of pain for the next few days. Not much so far, which makes me worry that my teeth are slow movers. More to be revealed. Braces in two weeks!!

I feel a bit like I'm in a remedial class getting excited about separators when most of you lovelies are either post-surgery, in surgery or very close.

Brent and Catherine hope you are both recovering well now!!! Good vibes going your way.