Brace Yourself

Take a long, hard look at this picture. Really get a good look at it because I won't be smiling like that for a very, very long time.

Some things have changed and that smile has been replaced by this...

Yes those are red bands...BOOMER!

This is my new "35 going on 12" look.  Sexy, right? 

It's a little ridiculous looking...well, really very ridiculous looking but it will fix my teeth so I'm willing to deal with the temporary ridiculousness. 

Over the last several years my two front teeth have shifted and have moved at an inward slant - it's just got progressively worse as I've gotten older.  It's really obvious in this photo:

So I decided to take the plunge and get them fixed. I know they weren't horrible and it seems a little vain.  Maybe it is...My husband was not keen on the idea.  Actually, he wasn't keen on spending the money.  The idea he had no problems with. 

His initial response was that I was 35, married, and who cared what my teeth looked like?  Although I'm sure he wouldn't try to use this logic if I decided to blow up to 400 pounds... 

But my philosophy is, and always has been, to make the most of life. If something makes you happy - do it!  If something bothers you - fix it!  I don't want to be 60 wishing I had fixed my teeth..what kind of life is that?

So is it the best investment we've ever made?  No, probably not. But there are just some things you can't quantify....like the value of being proud of your smile.

I've been fortunate that I've never required extensive dental work.  In fact, I got my first adult cavity filled last year.  That's it - that's the only thing (besides cleanings) that I have ever had done.  Until today. 

I had no idea my mouth could be stretched in such ways. 

Really, it was gruesome...here's a little taste for those that can stomach it...

And as if having to sit around like that was not painful enough, my orthodontist did a profile assessment.  He had to mark "Recessed"  "Average" "Prominent" on a series of items pertaining to my profile. He marked all of them "Average".  Except my nose.  So it's officially, medically documented that I have a big nose.  Of course, I didn't need a doctor to tell me that.

And then to add insult to injury, the technician gave me a t-shirt when I was all done.  She gave me a large and when I asked her for a medium, she repeated my question and when I confirmed she told me they were 100% cotton and would shrink.  Hummm, wonder what she was trying to say? 

Don't think for a minute that I'm not going to be wearing that shirt on my very next appointment.



"The" shirt. I'm certain I know what size I wear.