Scared Little School Girl

[jensceana73]

OK, so it's Sunday. IT'S FREAKIN SUNDAY!!!!! Only 3 more days. Are you kidding me? If you were to have asked me 10 yrs ago if I would ever get braces I would have said..HELL NO. If you would have asked me 1 year ago...would you ever get braces, I would have said...what you talkin bout Willis. And now....3 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

So I had an appointment on Friday to get my teeth cleaned. I went in. started talking to the hygienist and wouldn't ya know it, she had braces and got all excited when she found out I was getting them. She was so proud to show them off. Made me a little more excited. Anyway, when I walked out I thought to myself...9 months ago my husband had to drag me in here kicking and screaming and now look at me...I'm almost excited to come back here and show them my braces....ahhhhhhhhh.....somebody has got to be filtering kooky air into my bedroommmmmmmm. Me...Me....I'm excited to be going back to a dentist? WTF!!!?????????

Anyway, all I've thought about is, the countdown is now officially on. Sure hope I don't pass out in the chair. Maybe I should wear a diaper. Hope I don't start giggling. I'm notorious for doing that when I'm nervous. Better yet...maybe I should just get drunk before hand.....nope, that's not good, they'll smell it on my breath...I mean, my mouth will be open the whole time. Wait....Vodka doesn't have a smell, right??? Anyway...boy I say that a lot, anyway I'm just aimlessly writing now cause I'm so super excited. If I think this is bad, what's it going to be like Monday and Tuesday?? OK, anyway....gonna go eat some oreos...snickers, pop corn, candy apples...gum...hard candy....

Toodles for now peeps

[determined419]

I used to NEVER use chapstick or the like, until the braces. They really are nothing to be put on. Its just really weird for a few days with what feels like bulging pieces of(insert whatever you wish here lol).

In my eyes, the worst part is honestly the amount of brushing needed everyday, about 4 times a day, at least in the first few weeks. The soreness of the lips really isn't all that bad and that pressure feeling eases off

[jensceana73]

Thanks @againbrace and @determined419 for the "lubing of the lips" advice. I was wondering if I was going to have to slap half a jar of vaseline on those babies. I like your advice better. Lip Balm. The dentist probably would've wondered WTH is wrong with this woman...her lips are so shinny and poochy she looks ready to grease a "pole".

Anyone have any advise out there as to what color o-rings I should get?? I am saying that right...right? o-rings?????? Back in my college days "o-rings" had a different meaning. Anyway they told me at my last visit that I should have a color in mind for when I get there. Color??? Do any colors stain? Do they stay on forever...can I change colors if I don't like the color I have...y'all get the hint....

Oh ya..and..I had 23 Oreo's today. 23 FREAKING OREOS!!!! I haven't had an Oreo in years and today...23. Tonight...it's gonna be Cheetos dipped in Carmel with a side dish of beef jerky. Less than 48hrs to go....must take full advantage of foods soon to be forbidden!!

[opera^gal]

Hey jens.. when choosing O-rings, darker colours tend to stain less, as do silver. Depending on your ortho, you might be able to change them if you don't like them mid-stream, but choose thinking you'll have them until your next adjustment.
The Oreo Binge made me laugh! And as far as Cheetos...I might have allegedly had some of those crunchy bits of orangey goodness today without any problem.
Best of luck with the journey: it only gets more hilarious as the days/weeks/months/years wear on!!!

[wildtoo11]

Hey, Jensceana it sounds like you and I are getting braces on the same day. I go in Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. but they still have to do all of the pictures and the molds.

After reading about your dream I have to admit that I actually asked my ortho if my teeth would loosen enough to just fall out. It has definitely crossed my mind too.

I'm 28 and getting braced with all metal. They are also extracting four teeth on Friday. I'm really nervous too, but this site and all of the people going through the same thing has been a great help. It's nice to know that someone will be going through it at the same time.

Good luck!

[jensceana73]

Hey wildtoo11...thanks for your words of encouragement. I get my full metal "jacket" on Wednesday at 9 in the morning. I live about an hour away from my Otho's office so I envision myself stuffing my face with nuts and Doritos, jamming to some Queen, "we are the champions" to girt up my loins and not chicken out...dressed in some sort of waterproof outfit, giddy with excitement to finally get this done.

I also, might have to have some teeth extracted, but will know more down the road. MY TWO FRONT TEETH!!!!!! But, am not letting myself think too much about that as of yet for it will probably make me do a huge u-turn.

Good Luck to you!! Can't wait to hear how your day went. Nice to know someone out there is starting the journey on the same day. Can't wait to compare.....

[iBorg]

Funny karma......while you're getting your braces, if all goes as planned I'll be loosing mine. I'll sorta miss them. They made me unique (what other man in his fifties has this much metal in their mouth?). When I started I too was a bundle of nerves. I wasn't sure what my wife thought about them but she encouraged me to at least do the consult to see if they could help my TMJ. They have done wondrous things for me. My TMJ is almost a non-issue. I have an instant bond with many strangers with braces as well as pre-teens.

Remember braces are not something being done to you like we do to our children. You're doing this for yourself. There are few things in your adult life that you'll do for yourself that has such a potential for long range improvements in your life. They are an investment in you. Enjoy the experience. It will be as good or as bad as you make it.

Good luck!

Mike

[wildtoo11]

I get mine at 11:30 a.m. and I found out they moved up my extractions on Friday to 12:30 p.m. Which does get me in and out two hours sooner. I think I'm going to be in business clothes since I have to work tomorrow and I'm planning right now on going back afterward was well. Hopefully that works out. I have class tomorrow night too, so I have a really busy day.

As soon as I can I'll post before and after photos on my story thread and we can compare. Like you, I too am glad that someone is going though at the same time. It makes it all seem ok.

By the way...I think I'll be stuffing my face with doughnuts tomorrow morning as I've heard it's difficult to eat doughy things and I LOVE bread! I'm going to miss it for a while I think just for fear of getting is stuck in my new braces.

Good luck!!

[iBorg]

Remember braces don't stop you from doing ANYTHING, you stop yourself. It may take some adapting (and you may decide its not worth the effort), but I can't think of anything that braces have kept me from doing. That includes speaking in public (a presentation to the state legislature), kissing and things associated with kissing, and eating whatever would stay still. Corn on the cob has to be cut off but it still has the taste. Carmel corn.....not worth the effort to clean afterward.

Mike

[jensceana73]

OK...well, it's the eve of the big day and I'm suddenly feeling quite nauseous. Sure hope I don't "accidently" oversleep. I'm really feeling like a big ol chicken right now. My husband keeps telling me he knows how he can make me feel better Ya right....WHAT EVER. He's just worried "life" as he knows it is soon coming to an end.
I am glad that my appointment is right away in the morning. That way I have no time to think about it. Afterwords I have to go shopping for birthday presents. It's my daughter 1st birthday on the 1st. I'm going to feel weird smiling. But...I feel weird smiling right now cause of my snaggletooth smile...so I guess I'll just flash those babies off.
My 10yr old son is coming with me...he says to hold my hand and to keep me from leaping out of the chair. What a champ. He had braces at 6. And he'll have them again at 12. So he can sympathize with me somewhat.....although....he is the one who called me the "scared little school girl"
Can't wait to let you all know how it went...AND...to post me some pics!!!!

Toodles for now peeps

[mikesmile]

Hey jensceana

Just a quick little GOOD LUCK !!! on your big day...I hope all goes well for ya. I'll be back for your first update as a new 'braceface'.

Mike

[jensceana73]

Alrighty well, you guessed...I can't freaking sleep. 4 a frickin clock, and I'm wide eyed and bushy tailed. NOT FUNNY. Being the mom of 2 VERY small children, I covet sleep, and preferably....LOTS OF IT. I cannot get this getting braces off my mind. And I know exactly what it is. I'm like the fat girl (no offense to anyone out there) who always made fun of her weight before anyone else could....except I....did it with my teeth. I knew my smile was jacked up so I got to use my wicked sense of humor...on myself, before anyone else could. And I've had this slow creeping sense over the last 5 weeks of, WTH am I going to do once this issue gets fixed??? I mean, it's been part of me for years. It's now part of my personality. I have to admit..it's kinda buggin me a bit. I'm so use to baggin on myself and letting others, that WOW...that's all going to change. Cause we all know that every other aspect of me is soooo perfect..
I mean..I remember my mother telling me in my early 20's "your so damn pretty..if only you'd do something with those teeth". Thanks mom. Thanks a lot. She's was right though..I'd put so much effort in every other part of me to make up for my jack-o-lantern smile. So what...does that mean that I can let everything else go to pot now that I'm fixing my smile? Stop working working out...gain 50lbs. Quit washing my face...have zit city. Shave my beautiful hair...dye my scalp green. Become a bum....I mean, it's not like I haven't been doing all of this (making every other part of me "perfect") for a year....IT'S BEEN LIKE..SINCE 90!!!!!) It's going to be interesting. It's going to be interesting to see how my attitude towards myself starts to change. What am I going to make fun of? My husband? No...he's retired military, a veteran...I need to keep him up on that pedestal I've had him on since day one I know..how about my mother....no,no...she gave birth to me Just kidding mom. Anyway, I have this fear...that I get braces, make my smile beautiful...and I'm still a dork. This journey is more than I thought. It is going to be not only life changing for me.....but mind and body changing. Scary. It scares me and I just now admitted it.....ON A FREAKING WEB SITE!!!!! Oh, well.....this was cheaper. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need all I can get.

[iBorg]

I'm reminded what the amazing Dr. P says, "If I can get them through the first week they'll be okay." I was also VERY nervous about how others would interact. I teach college and expected pure H...... from some of my students/ I was quite disappointed when they didn't even mention them.

I went to my consult a week earlier than scheduled. I called and asked if anything opened to let me know as I was afraid I'd back out. They called back and said they could see me in 45 minutes. I went, the benefits were explained (primarily should reduce TMJ issues) and I asked how soon could they start. I left with spacers and an appointment for the next week. If I'd had five weeks to think about it, I would also be a nervous wreck.

Good luck.....if this doesn't get to you before your big moment, remember the journey has begun. It doesn't end until you begin.

Mike

[determined419]

You'll be fine . Its really not that bad getting them on. It takes some getting used to afterwards but its bearable. After a few weeks you don't even realize they are there most of the time(except when you eat lol).

[jensceana73]

OK, I'm alive. I made it. Only have a minute to say...WOWSEE'S was that an interesting experience. I mean...I know my lips have been stretched to some massive lengths, but this was unreal. I look a bit..um...ugly, for lack of a better word. But...I AM SO GLAD I DID THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be back on later when kids are down....drugs have started to take affect .....and I'm a bit more use to these...

Toodles for now peeps