I've been lurking for a couple months, as I've gone through my wisdom teeth extractions and the subsequent healing. Reading everyone's stories has really helped me bolster my confidence. Knowing that other people are going through the same thing I am makes me feel so much better about the journey I'm starting.
I was one of those people who always figured I had the worst teeth in the whole world. I've been self conscious about my teeth for 20 of the 31 years I've been alive. That's a long time to spend needlessly obsessing over making sure people don't see my teeth, wondering if I'm being judged because of them, and being disgusted with myself for not having the strength to do anything about my situation. Finally, for some reason I decided enough was enough.
I want to be social without having to worry about what people think of my teeth. I want to be able to volunteer at school and not have the other parents looking at me. I know maybe people don't look at my mouth as much as I think they do, but it feels like it. I want to be able to throw my head back and have a huge belly laugh without thinking first about hiding my teeth.
I'm so excited to be getting braced. Mostly, I'm proud of myself for making this jump into a huge pool when I don't know how to swim.
I've had to overcome my intense fear of dentists, and just the fear of having someone look at my teeth. I thought I was going to cry when I had to pose for my "before" pictures. Getting braces makes me feel like I can do anything.I got my spacers in today, and I was ready for what it entailed, mostly because of everyone's posts on here. I feel like I'm getting a great education about real world situations involving braces when I read the posts here. I can google braces only so many times, and I won't necessarily know what wax is best to use, or how to get through a meal without grossing everyone out.
So, more than anything I really just want to say thanks to everyone. No doubt I'll be drawing strength from reading your posts. I feel like I can be candid here, because I know I'll be welcome.
. I do feel that we notice so much more than others really pay attention to, (unless you are teeth obsessed like all of us here because I notice everyone's teeth from my own tooth issues! lol), but you are your own most important critic so why not meet your own standards regardless of others? Good luck with getting started and I look forward to following your story.
I'm also planning on having tacos Tuesday night, because I have a feeling there won't be much in the way of food like that for awhile!