Hi Florencegal,
I agree with KK - your posts are very readable. Glad to hear the extraction sites are doing ok, and you're gearing up mentally for the installation date. As for smoothies ... yum. I have a big pineapple waiting to be smoothied for breakfast!!!!
Florencegal's story
Moderator: bbsadmin
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florencegal
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:20 pm
- Location: south-west UK
Me again with the latest, very uneventful update! I'm so so glad that people are enjoying the "story" (thanks for taking an interest guys! 
) and I guess my greatest hope is that I can in some way give hope and encouragement to others like me for who the last few months and agonising decisions about braces - and, perhaps even more so, extractions - need some place to turn.
I continue to be amazed at how smoothly everything has gone and how astoundingly quickly having 4 teeth missing has become normal. Four days following extractions I am already much less paranoid about the gaps showing and have found myself smiling a little wider day by day. Still no-one has noticed at all - I can hardly believe it!! I have had no pain whatsoever and even though I still don't fancy tackling any tough or "spiky" foods I am now happily eating most other things without worrying about what might happen (you were right as usual KK!!
)
The one thing I'm finding hard to get back to normal is brushing - I am still skirting round the extraction sites very gingerly and am aware of not cleaning my teeth very well at all these days, they always feel unclean. Which is frustrating because I realise that from here on in, oral hygiene is going to be of the utmost importance. Ah well, I'm giving myself until Monday to get back to giving the nashers a real good clean 3 times a day - I work well with deadlines!
And I may have inspired a friend to join the archwired club! She seemed amazed when I told her what I was doing and full of respect - then confessed she has wanted to get braced for years and is just trying to save the money for a deposit on treatment. So I explained my ortho's payment plans with her - they only ask for £600 deposit at the brace fitting, which is much more achievably than the £1500 she'd been told by others - and the ins and outs of my treatment plan, as far as I know them at this stage. She seems really keen - I just have to remember when I next see her to tell her to check out Archwired asap, I can't believe I forgot!
x
) and I guess my greatest hope is that I can in some way give hope and encouragement to others like me for who the last few months and agonising decisions about braces - and, perhaps even more so, extractions - need some place to turn.I continue to be amazed at how smoothly everything has gone and how astoundingly quickly having 4 teeth missing has become normal. Four days following extractions I am already much less paranoid about the gaps showing and have found myself smiling a little wider day by day. Still no-one has noticed at all - I can hardly believe it!! I have had no pain whatsoever and even though I still don't fancy tackling any tough or "spiky" foods I am now happily eating most other things without worrying about what might happen (you were right as usual KK!!
) The one thing I'm finding hard to get back to normal is brushing - I am still skirting round the extraction sites very gingerly and am aware of not cleaning my teeth very well at all these days, they always feel unclean. Which is frustrating because I realise that from here on in, oral hygiene is going to be of the utmost importance. Ah well, I'm giving myself until Monday to get back to giving the nashers a real good clean 3 times a day - I work well with deadlines!
And I may have inspired a friend to join the archwired club! She seemed amazed when I told her what I was doing and full of respect - then confessed she has wanted to get braced for years and is just trying to save the money for a deposit on treatment. So I explained my ortho's payment plans with her - they only ask for £600 deposit at the brace fitting, which is much more achievably than the £1500 she'd been told by others - and the ins and outs of my treatment plan, as far as I know them at this stage. She seems really keen - I just have to remember when I next see her to tell her to check out Archwired asap, I can't believe I forgot!
x
Hi FG, have just checked into your story.
Glad you're recovering from extractions. I only had to put up with one tooth being pulled (a lower wisdom), but I know what you mean about skirting around the site with the toothbrush; I was a bit hesitant around my gaping hole for a few days as well.
Look forward to hearing more.
Glad you're recovering from extractions. I only had to put up with one tooth being pulled (a lower wisdom), but I know what you mean about skirting around the site with the toothbrush; I was a bit hesitant around my gaping hole for a few days as well.
Look forward to hearing more.
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florencegal
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:20 pm
- Location: south-west UK
Hi lionfish - good to have you here! Wow, you were a lot braver than me - I think coping with just one wisdom extraction is equal to all four of my little premolars! I hope it went well for you anyway - isn't brushing a real pain?! I'm getting better now although still not managing to feel squeaky clean 
I'm convinced my teeth are moving around on all their own already. Is this even possible? It distinctly feels like my (remaining) premolars are kind of collapsing inwards towards my tongue and my upper and lower canines on the right seem to be bashing into each other when I talk which I've never had before. This might just be because I'm moving my mouth differently though, in my attempts not to reveal my gaping gaps to the world. Either way, it makes me even more impatient to get banded asap!
I continue to surprise myself with being able to carry on as normal post-extractions. After a visit to the theatre last night (an old school friend playing the lead - I'm sooo proud of him!
) I somewhat reluctantly allowed myself to be convinced into going out for drinks and then proceeded to happily chat and bar crawl away into the wee small hours without panicking or hiding in the corner! Goes to show how great the human capacity is for getting used to absolutely anything in double-quick time...
As brace day draws near I'm starting to think about ligs and what I fancy trying first, depending on what's available. I think on top I might chicken out and go for something that won't stain or stand out like wire ties if possible - I figure there's plenty enough to get used to in the first few days and weeks without the added worry of not being able to eat curry! (not that I eat it much but you never know) So I might be a teeny bit more adventurous on the bottom and try perhaps baby pink or blue. We'll see! It's like having a whole new world of accessories to play with - shame we can't change our ligs every day to go with our outfits!
x
I'm convinced my teeth are moving around on all their own already. Is this even possible? It distinctly feels like my (remaining) premolars are kind of collapsing inwards towards my tongue and my upper and lower canines on the right seem to be bashing into each other when I talk which I've never had before. This might just be because I'm moving my mouth differently though, in my attempts not to reveal my gaping gaps to the world. Either way, it makes me even more impatient to get banded asap!
I continue to surprise myself with being able to carry on as normal post-extractions. After a visit to the theatre last night (an old school friend playing the lead - I'm sooo proud of him!
) I somewhat reluctantly allowed myself to be convinced into going out for drinks and then proceeded to happily chat and bar crawl away into the wee small hours without panicking or hiding in the corner! Goes to show how great the human capacity is for getting used to absolutely anything in double-quick time...As brace day draws near I'm starting to think about ligs and what I fancy trying first, depending on what's available. I think on top I might chicken out and go for something that won't stain or stand out like wire ties if possible - I figure there's plenty enough to get used to in the first few days and weeks without the added worry of not being able to eat curry! (not that I eat it much but you never know) So I might be a teeny bit more adventurous on the bottom and try perhaps baby pink or blue. We'll see! It's like having a whole new world of accessories to play with - shame we can't change our ligs every day to go with our outfits!
x
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Brace Face
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:37 pm
- Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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florencegal
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:20 pm
- Location: south-west UK
Well, I'm braced! My feelings have been completely all over the place this afternoon, which is why I haven't checked in sooner. I'm still not quite sure what I'm thinking or feeling right now but I'm hoping that writing it down will help!
So I guess the actual process was uneventful and quite quick and I'm the proud owner of Invu ceramics on top and regular metal on the bottom (I heard the ortho mention them to the assistant as "Americana" - I don't know if that's the brand name). He even managed to bracket up Little Ms Sneaky, my hidden lateral incisor, which was a shock as she's so far round the back of the central incisor and so small anyway that I'd presumed she wouldn't be allowed to join the party right away!
I'm told I have a thermal activated 0.14 wire (at least I think that was the number, does that sound right??!) on both arches. It looked so flimsy!!!
I was expecting something much more rigid and thicker looking. He also put some extra loops of wire over my extraction sites to protect the archwire and help the gaps close quicker which I'm very grateful for altho it makes quite a mess of metal back there. I've got hooks on a few brackets I guess for elastics later on. Boring clear ligs on top and silver on the bottom - I'm easing into the colour gently!
So that's the concrete details, the emotional stuff is much harder to describe! My first thought on feeling the brackets was "crikey they're rough" but I think I'm getting used to them already and no rubbing yet. Surprising given my metal jumble round the back! He did seem to bend all the ends back real nice though. The thing is that I look so incredibly odd and my upper brackets seem really low down on my teeth so that they show whenever my mouth is open
Talking is tricky and looks absolutely terrible altho it's getting easier with each phone call from a well-wisher 
(carried out in front of the mirror - hey, at least it means I don't have to practice talking to myself!) And of course like everyone else probably finds, they look so much more crooked as the archwire accentuates every little wiggle. All in all, I'm finding I look pretty (read:very) bad but I'm not going to let myself get down about it because I know it'll get better. And I'm not going to question what I'm doing because I know I'm doing the right thing. Whatever I'm feeling right now, I've decided to just let it wash over me for the next few days as there's no point in being too negative about something I know 100% is positive.
Quite a lot of tightness since the minute the wire went on and a few teeth are now starting to feel tender. I'm settling in for the night with dvds, ice cream and am going to attempt a baked potato, having not eaten since 7am! I'm hoping I get used to eating vaguely normally quite soon because I really don't want to lose any more weight. And fingers crossed I cause no damage!
x
My feelings have been completely all over the place this afternoon, which is why I haven't checked in sooner. I'm still not quite sure what I'm thinking or feeling right now but I'm hoping that writing it down will help! So I guess the actual process was uneventful and quite quick and I'm the proud owner of Invu ceramics on top and regular metal on the bottom (I heard the ortho mention them to the assistant as "Americana" - I don't know if that's the brand name). He even managed to bracket up Little Ms Sneaky, my hidden lateral incisor, which was a shock as she's so far round the back of the central incisor and so small anyway that I'd presumed she wouldn't be allowed to join the party right away!
I'm told I have a thermal activated 0.14 wire (at least I think that was the number, does that sound right??!) on both arches. It looked so flimsy!!!
I was expecting something much more rigid and thicker looking. He also put some extra loops of wire over my extraction sites to protect the archwire and help the gaps close quicker which I'm very grateful for altho it makes quite a mess of metal back there. I've got hooks on a few brackets I guess for elastics later on. Boring clear ligs on top and silver on the bottom - I'm easing into the colour gently! So that's the concrete details, the emotional stuff is much harder to describe! My first thought on feeling the brackets was "crikey they're rough" but I think I'm getting used to them already and no rubbing yet. Surprising given my metal jumble round the back! He did seem to bend all the ends back real nice though. The thing is that I look so incredibly odd and my upper brackets seem really low down on my teeth so that they show whenever my mouth is open
Talking is tricky and looks absolutely terrible altho it's getting easier with each phone call from a well-wisher (carried out in front of the mirror - hey, at least it means I don't have to practice talking to myself!) And of course like everyone else probably finds, they look so much more crooked as the archwire accentuates every little wiggle. All in all, I'm finding I look pretty (read:very) bad but I'm not going to let myself get down about it because I know it'll get better. And I'm not going to question what I'm doing because I know I'm doing the right thing. Whatever I'm feeling right now, I've decided to just let it wash over me for the next few days as there's no point in being too negative about something I know 100% is positive. Quite a lot of tightness since the minute the wire went on and a few teeth are now starting to feel tender. I'm settling in for the night with dvds, ice cream and am going to attempt a baked potato, having not eaten since 7am! I'm hoping I get used to eating vaguely normally quite soon because I really don't want to lose any more weight. And fingers crossed I cause no damage!
x
Hi florencegal
I was wondering how you got on. I'm sure you look fine, it is a bit of a shock to see the braces on your teeth but we just need time to get used to them and once things start straightening they'll look better.
I've had my dinner. My kids (veteran brace wearers) told me just to eat and not worry too much about damage especially as I'm not in pain so I took their advice. I hope you enjoy your dinner.
My speech is a bit lispy too, my husband says I sound posh! Again I'm sure that once we get used to these metal contraptions we should be fine.
Hope you have a good weekend.
Regards
Joney
I was wondering how you got on. I'm sure you look fine, it is a bit of a shock to see the braces on your teeth but we just need time to get used to them and once things start straightening they'll look better.
I've had my dinner. My kids (veteran brace wearers) told me just to eat and not worry too much about damage especially as I'm not in pain so I took their advice. I hope you enjoy your dinner.
My speech is a bit lispy too, my husband says I sound posh! Again I'm sure that once we get used to these metal contraptions we should be fine.
Hope you have a good weekend.
Regards
Joney
2 Extractions 2nd November 2006
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)
Congratulations! Glad it went well for you. Yea, at first i though that i looked like id had an op on my mouth and it had swollen out. It gets better trust me. Your adjustment is 2 months away? Any reason because my one was only 6 weeks after getting braced and we both have invu so i was thinking similar treatment? How are you feeling after 2 days of being braced? Hope its going well.
Newmetal
Newmetal
Congrats on starting your treatment, FG. Those niti wires may look flimsy, but they are real workhorses. I started with even smaller ones (012's) and they kicked in pretty quickly.
The brackets do feel bulky at first and somewhat rough. That feeling will ease up in due course. I remember my lower wire being all up and down which made me realise how out of whack my teeth were - quite frightening to look at when they gave me the mirror!
Don't be afraid to get stuck into something more substantial to eat. Working your teeth is good for you, stimulates blood flow and assists with healing. I've had only one breakage due to food (cheese straws were the culprit).
You have a great attitude, btw.
The brackets do feel bulky at first and somewhat rough. That feeling will ease up in due course. I remember my lower wire being all up and down which made me realise how out of whack my teeth were - quite frightening to look at when they gave me the mirror!
Don't be afraid to get stuck into something more substantial to eat. Working your teeth is good for you, stimulates blood flow and assists with healing. I've had only one breakage due to food (cheese straws were the culprit).
You have a great attitude, btw.
sending good energy your way...
Hi there -
just wanted to let you know that I found the first day a total shock, and used words to describe the look of my new mouth like "awful, horrible and horrendous." I felt like my lips were now an inch away from my teeth and I was shocked and amazed that my lips could actually meet and stay together. It gets better. I cried for the first two days and then was okay. It helps a ton when you realize your teeth are actually moving!
Yes, your teeth will feel tight at first, and I found that my front teeth hurt first and worst, and then my molars hurt later and less. Although I hear it is different for everyone I have since learned that this is commonplace as your molars have more roots and are sturdier and harder to move, whereas your front teeth are like little tripods and with less roots easier to move., but also a little achier.
I have ceramics on top and am waiting for an appliance on the bottom. I didn't read which colour ligs you got, and I have white, but I've really liked the pink ones I"ve seen on this site - reminds me of lipstick and bubble gum and just seems plain fun.
Two and half weeks in I still notice the braces on my teeth, but less and less. Mostly when I'm tired or in the evening are times when I wish I could take them off. But there are moments when I forget about them, and I'm positive those moments will continue to increase.
Oh, and when my teeth are sore I eat pudding, cooked fruit, soup, and smoothies and then rinse with warm salt water.
Good luck, treat yourself well, an let yourself feel however you feel - you'll move through it easier that way.
CB
just wanted to let you know that I found the first day a total shock, and used words to describe the look of my new mouth like "awful, horrible and horrendous." I felt like my lips were now an inch away from my teeth and I was shocked and amazed that my lips could actually meet and stay together. It gets better. I cried for the first two days and then was okay. It helps a ton when you realize your teeth are actually moving!
Yes, your teeth will feel tight at first, and I found that my front teeth hurt first and worst, and then my molars hurt later and less. Although I hear it is different for everyone I have since learned that this is commonplace as your molars have more roots and are sturdier and harder to move, whereas your front teeth are like little tripods and with less roots easier to move., but also a little achier.
I have ceramics on top and am waiting for an appliance on the bottom. I didn't read which colour ligs you got, and I have white, but I've really liked the pink ones I"ve seen on this site - reminds me of lipstick and bubble gum and just seems plain fun.
Two and half weeks in I still notice the braces on my teeth, but less and less. Mostly when I'm tired or in the evening are times when I wish I could take them off. But there are moments when I forget about them, and I'm positive those moments will continue to increase.
Oh, and when my teeth are sore I eat pudding, cooked fruit, soup, and smoothies and then rinse with warm salt water.
Good luck, treat yourself well, an let yourself feel however you feel - you'll move through it easier that way.
CB
congrats on getting braced- sorry for not stopping by earlier!
I think you've remarked my emotions exactly when I was first braced- its hard to describe to others in different circumstances how different you feel, not just physical but emotional- I was just trying to describe it to my boyfriend earlier who had braces as a kid, as he repied: "but I thought mine were cool!" funny how 10+ years later how different we feel on the same appliance..
food is the thing i missed most though! my faovurite 'treat' when you are feeling down:
get a cupcake from a local bakery with tons of icing, rip pieces off and let them melt on the top of your mouth- bar none the best feeling ever
I think you've remarked my emotions exactly when I was first braced- its hard to describe to others in different circumstances how different you feel, not just physical but emotional- I was just trying to describe it to my boyfriend earlier who had braces as a kid, as he repied: "but I thought mine were cool!" funny how 10+ years later how different we feel on the same appliance..
food is the thing i missed most though! my faovurite 'treat' when you are feeling down:
get a cupcake from a local bakery with tons of icing, rip pieces off and let them melt on the top of your mouth- bar none the best feeling ever
Braces off- 12 months 1 week in braces- estimate 18-21 months!
First time in braces- Damon 3's- 01-30-06 - 02-09-2007 hawley clear retainer on top, permenant retainer on bottom
First time in braces- Damon 3's- 01-30-06 - 02-09-2007 hawley clear retainer on top, permenant retainer on bottom
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florencegal
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:20 pm
- Location: south-west UK
Thanks so much everyone for the kind words, it's great to know that I'll have good support here whatever the next 18 months bring!
As predicted, I'm already feeling so much better about everything and even though I still think my braces look pretty weird, I'm learning to love them anyway. I really must take some photos soon! I went a bit boring with the ligs this first time crowbaby - just silver on my metal bottoms and clear on the ceramics up top. No staining on the clears so far but it has been only 3 days! I'm debating if/when I can try drinking my beloved espresso again.... I agree that the pink ligs look great and I'm definitely going to go for those on the bottom when I have my 1st adjustment.
Re:my adjustment date newmetal, I'm a bit annoyed as I've lucked out with my 6-8 week time frame falling right bang on the xmas holidays. The six week mark falls the week right before xmas so understandably the ortho's schedule was chockablock, the 8 weeks falls in the first week on January when I'm hoping to be off work back home in Wales i.e. 100 miles away from the ortho! Then as my particular ortho is only in this clinic every other week, I have to wait til the 10 week mark. Not great that I'm delaying things right from the start but it can't be helped because of Christmas. I'm assured the archwire will carry on doing its thing anyway!
Right, gotta dash - I could go on forever here (as usual! ) with more details but I'm off on a shopping trip! But I am doing so much better - and thank you guys so much for playing a large part in that!
x
As predicted, I'm already feeling so much better about everything and even though I still think my braces look pretty weird, I'm learning to love them anyway. I really must take some photos soon! I went a bit boring with the ligs this first time crowbaby - just silver on my metal bottoms and clear on the ceramics up top. No staining on the clears so far but it has been only 3 days! I'm debating if/when I can try drinking my beloved espresso again.... I agree that the pink ligs look great and I'm definitely going to go for those on the bottom when I have my 1st adjustment.
Re:my adjustment date newmetal, I'm a bit annoyed as I've lucked out with my 6-8 week time frame falling right bang on the xmas holidays. The six week mark falls the week right before xmas so understandably the ortho's schedule was chockablock, the 8 weeks falls in the first week on January when I'm hoping to be off work back home in Wales i.e. 100 miles away from the ortho! Then as my particular ortho is only in this clinic every other week, I have to wait til the 10 week mark. Not great that I'm delaying things right from the start but it can't be helped because of Christmas. I'm assured the archwire will carry on doing its thing anyway!
Right, gotta dash - I could go on forever here (as usual!
) with more details but I'm off on a shopping trip! But I am doing so much better - and thank you guys so much for playing a large part in that!x
Hi florencegal
Glad to hear that you're feeling a bit better about the brace now.
My next appointment isn't until January but I heard this is normal with damons as appointments are only every 10 weeks. I'm kinda glad, with Christmas coming and everything I'm sure the time will fly and our teeth will keep moving in the meantime.
I wish I could get some nice coloured ligs but they don't use them on damons so I will be stuck with boring silver, never mind.
I would say drink your espresso and enjoy yourself, you need to be kind to yourself at this time. The brace hasn't stopped me drinking tea and (shame) smoking although I know both of these things will stain but we need to me good to ourselves. I don't know that people look as closely at us as we look at ourselves, they are too busy worrying about how good or bad they look themselves!
Good luck with the eating.
Regards
Joney
Glad to hear that you're feeling a bit better about the brace now.
My next appointment isn't until January but I heard this is normal with damons as appointments are only every 10 weeks. I'm kinda glad, with Christmas coming and everything I'm sure the time will fly and our teeth will keep moving in the meantime.
I wish I could get some nice coloured ligs but they don't use them on damons so I will be stuck with boring silver, never mind.
I would say drink your espresso and enjoy yourself, you need to be kind to yourself at this time. The brace hasn't stopped me drinking tea and (shame) smoking although I know both of these things will stain but we need to me good to ourselves. I don't know that people look as closely at us as we look at ourselves, they are too busy worrying about how good or bad they look themselves!
Good luck with the eating.
Regards
Joney
2 Extractions 2nd November 2006
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)
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florencegal
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:20 pm
- Location: south-west UK
One week in and I continue to notice great new things about this whole process! The positive effects braces can have on so many aspects of your life is astounding. I love how I no longer snack on rubbish between meals, especially when I get home from work in the afternoons. I simply can't be bothered to brush my teeth and so I really question whether I actually need that chocolate bar/piece of cake or I'm just bored and being greedy! Plus because I'm still having some issues with eating (not because of pain, more not having figured out 100% where I have teeth left that meet properly to chew) I really put thought into what I'm eating and make sure that even if it's a smallish amount it's packed full of vitamins and goodness. To help this along, I'm taking a multivitamin with extra calcium to make sure I'm not missing out on anything and for good bone growth. And lastly, but most importantly, my mouth is cleeeeeeean! Brushing thoroughly at least 3 times a day is really making me feel I'm taking good care of my mouth and showing my teeth more respect that I have in many a year. It's all great!
And there is movement! It's imperceptible to the naked eye but one of my extraction sites is definitely narrower now - I can't poke as much of my tongue into it as before! The one thing I'm not liking is that my 4 remaining premolars seem to be continuing their journey inwards, sort of collapsing towards my tongue, especially on the left Should I be worried about this? A couple of them feel a little loose but I guess that's ok, it means things are on the move right?
Still no pain at all after day 1, this I'm very grateful for! And only one person has said anything to me, I thought it would be a lot more especially as I'm not hiding my mouth in any way. If anything, I'm smiling a lot more as I feel really proud of what I'm undertaking here. I take an absolute age to clean my teeth in the morning and evening, a bit quicker at lunch as I feel bad locking myself in the disabled toilets for too long! (there's a nice little sink in there and I don't get disturbed and seen by everyone with two hands and several dental implements poking around in my mouth! ) I don't know how long it takes everyone else but I'm averaging 20-25 minutes! 
No doubt I'll get less pernickety about it with time...
Still not braved the espresso on the clear ligs.... don't quite know how I'm coping after a whole week.... maybe I've managed to wean myself off the 4 cups a day.....(another bonus - my kidneys are no doubt thanking me right now!)
x
Plus because I'm still having some issues with eating (not because of pain, more not having figured out 100% where I have teeth left that meet properly to chew) I really put thought into what I'm eating and make sure that even if it's a smallish amount it's packed full of vitamins and goodness. To help this along, I'm taking a multivitamin with extra calcium to make sure I'm not missing out on anything and for good bone growth. And lastly, but most importantly, my mouth is cleeeeeeean! Brushing thoroughly at least 3 times a day is really making me feel I'm taking good care of my mouth and showing my teeth more respect that I have in many a year. It's all great! And there is movement! It's imperceptible to the naked eye but one of my extraction sites is definitely narrower now - I can't poke as much of my tongue into it as before!
The one thing I'm not liking is that my 4 remaining premolars seem to be continuing their journey inwards, sort of collapsing towards my tongue, especially on the left Should I be worried about this? A couple of them feel a little loose but I guess that's ok, it means things are on the move right? Still no pain at all after day 1, this I'm very grateful for! And only one person has said anything to me, I thought it would be a lot more especially as I'm not hiding my mouth in any way. If anything, I'm smiling a lot more as I feel really proud of what I'm undertaking here. I take an absolute age to clean my teeth in the morning and evening, a bit quicker at lunch as I feel bad locking myself in the disabled toilets for too long! (there's a nice little sink in there and I don't get disturbed and seen by everyone with two hands and several dental implements poking around in my mouth!
) I don't know how long it takes everyone else but I'm averaging 20-25 minutes! No doubt I'll get less pernickety about it with time...Still not braved the espresso on the clear ligs.... don't quite know how I'm coping after a whole week.... maybe I've managed to wean myself off the 4 cups a day.....(another bonus - my kidneys are no doubt thanking me right now!)
x