So my journal contains my monthly updates on what's been going on with my orthodontic treatment, but I want to take time to reflect on my time having braces. How do I love my braces? Let me count the ways!

I love, love, LOVE my braces. My braces make me feel like I have a "secret" that other people don't know. I like how I've been able to watch the progress of my teeth every day. I like how they feel on my teeth (except when I have canker sores!), especially how my teeth feel "strapped in" - like I'm not going to lose them because they're held in securely. I look forward to getting new ligatures that make my teeth look white and shiny again. I enjoy trying out different colors on my lower brackets. I appreciate how my teeth don't "hurt" anymore - my crooked lower canines were always so far out that they would often throb or generally be uncomfortable - no more pain! I like how they make me look youngerMostly, I love how braces have given me straight teeth and an even more beautiful smile. :)  They've boosted my self-esteem, and hopefully I will never be ashamed of my teeth again.

A major drawback - EATING. Nearly everything I eat gets stuck in/around/through my braces. Even when I brush well, there can be a bit or two of that mystery something that pops out later. I still don't like eating rice or spaghetti - forget about biting into a sandwich - popcorn has always been off-limits - lettuce salad is a no-no (there's nothing more disgusting in my book than slimy lettuce sliding out from under a bracket!) - corn-on-the-cob (I can only DREAM about corn-on-the-cob! I've gone two summers slicing my corn off the cob) - the list goes on and on.

I can't wait until I don't pick food out of my teeth with either my tongue or a sharp fingernail. I'm sure it looks very strange when I'm searching out food bits with my tongue. People probably wonder what in the heck I'm doing! I can only imagine that my facial contortions are less than appealing. But hey! I can't help it!

I'm anxious to get back to the ease of brushing and flossing. The challenge has been well worth it, but I'll be thankful when I don't have to buy floss with a stiff end.

Memorable moments. The very first day that my braces were put on, I went over to my sister's house to show them off. My little niece, Stephie, looked at them, then whispered in her mom's ear "I want some like Lora". Talk about melting my heart! It made me feel good that at least a little 3 1/2 year old thought they looked nice. :)  Another moment: I recently ran into someone who also had clear brackets on their top teeth, and to be honest, I couldn't stop looking at them! I felt really guilty... everyone says that they don't notice my braces, and I rarely see anyone stare at them, but I couldn't help staring at this person's braces! What kind of a person am I?! :)

Dreams.  Wow.  I don't have teeth dreams very often, but when I have had them, they've been doozies!!  One time I dreamed that my teeth were like the character Sloth's from the movie the Goonies.  Talk about needing braces!  And last night (11/17) I had a horrible dream that I pulled off my brackets and my teeth instantly moved - more like packed up and moved to another country!  In that dream my left lower lateral moved WAY back in my mouth, and the only way it would stay up front would be to wear braces forever.  Talk about a nightmare!!

Sores, bumps, and cuts.  I suffer from canker sores, and braces have been both a blessing and a curse.  They're a blessing because I honestly think that my occurrences will diminish once the braces come off (due to straight teeth - no funky canines to catch my lip!).  They're a curse because I've had to suffer through some really nasty sores during my treatment because of those darn brackets.  I've started taking Lysine again, and along with my Kenalog-Everclear mouth rinse, I'm doing okay.  Wax is usually my best friend in cases with sores on the lips and cheeks.  I am going to try a new product called "Cankermelts" as soon as I get around to ordering them.  Hopefully they'll work as wonderfully as claimed.  I will probably always suffer from canker sores, but at least I'm learning how to control them.

So, I'll continue to add thoughts as I think of them.  Until then, here's hoping for smooth teeth and a great smile!

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