Still Surprised!

Hello to all, I don't check my blog as much as I use to but am always surprised when I see that people are still reading it. My braces have been off for sometime now. I think when I get settled after my foot surgery tomorrow, I am going to make an appointment to have them check my retainer. I figure it's probably a good idea. I don't think I'm going to blog about my foot surgery. I have to have my left big toe fused due to severe arthritis. Sounds simple, but it's an hour and a half surgery with a minimum of three days on my back with my foot elevated. It's not the pain that I mind, it's the not being able to move around easily. First a bandage, then a cast for three weeks, a walking boot, a walking shoe and who knows what else. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well. Take care and have a wonderful day! Thanks for reading my posts!

Still Amazed and TMJ

Hello to all, I hope everyone is doing great! I am still amazed at how many people read my blog about getting braces as an adult. I am also amazed at that there are people from other countries that read it as well. I hope that in some small way I have helped you in making a decision about getting braces. It is definitely not a decision to take lightly. Give it some serious thought. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or post a comment. I'll try to answer as honestly as I can! After I had my braces for awhile, my TMJ seem to clear up. My jaws weren't near as sore as they had been in the past and the headaches that I had been having from TMJ had cleared up for the most part. This luck continued after I had my braces off, which they have been for about a year now. However, lately I have been noticing that more and more, my jaws are sore and the headaches are back. I'm sure there might be other reasons for both things to reoccur, but was really hoping that the braces and retainers would take care of it. The orthodontist had said they would help. Like I've said, they did at first so beware if you have TMJ, braces may not be a permanent solution! Take care and have a great day! Ellen

Thank You

Hello to all, I hope everyone is doing great. Thank you so much for continuing to read my blog. i really appreciate that there is still so much interest in it. I had someone request to post about braces treatments for adults on my blog. I turned them down. My idea for this blog was to provide real life experiences from someone who had braces rather than to just inform. There is so much more to having braces than just having them put on, having them adjusted and having them taken off. I am doing well with my retainers, but may go in soon just to have them check and make sure they are still fitting ok. Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions. My e mail address is Lnrosy2000@gmail.com. I'll do my best to answer your questions. Take care and have a great day!

Retainers & Would I Do It Again

Hi to all, I have been wearing my retainers at night. That was what they said to do when I went to my last appointment many months ago. Sometimes when I put them on at night they go in just fine. Other nights, it is a tight fit and it makes my mouth sore for a bit until I've had them on for awhile. I'm not sure why this happens. Maybe if I eat something hard during the day it makes my teeth move more than if I don't. I'm going to try to keep track of things I eat during the day or if maybe I am clenching my jaws during the day from stress and see if it goes with how they fit in at night. I am not sure that if I had to do this all over again that I would do it. It seemed to help my TMJ for awhile, but now I have problems with it again. I've had more root canals done since I had my braces then before. I can't say for sure that it is related to my braces. Though, the Endodontist did say it could have been because of the trauma to my teeth from being moved. I do know that if I had to do it again, I would research more and get a second opinion from another Orthodontist. Don't be afraid to do that. I ended up being very unhappy with the one Orthodontist and don't think he treated me fairly especially when it come to the bill after I decided to have them removed. I'm not telling you to not get braces if you're an adult. Just do your research and get a second opinion! Take care and have a great day! Thanks for reading. Please feel free to e mail me if you have questions I haven't answered!

Retainers

Hello to all, I hope this finds you all doing well. I am surprised when I check in to see how many people are reading my posts. Thanks! I am only wearing my retainer at night. It doesn't bother me to sleep with it and I know it's something that I'll have to do for the rest of my life to keep my teeth from moving. I'm hoping that the one I have now will always fit me. When I had braces when I was younger, I outgrew my retainer. I don't think that will happen now as hopefully I'm not growing anymore! There are nights where it is a tight fit getting both of them in and then there are other nights that it goes in just fine. I really thought having braces would help my TMJ and it did at first. I still have problems with it and my jaws get sore. I have an exercise to do that helps calm it down, but not all of the time. I had surgery on my back in June and went without my retainer for at least 4 days. It was tight getting them in, but everything still fit. Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful day!

I'm Surprised

Hello to all out there. I hope this finds you all doing ok. I have to say that I'm surprised that there are still people that read my blog. I'm curious to know if any of you have gotten braces and of you have what your experiences with them are? I have my retainer and wear it every night. Sometimes it feels a little tight when I put it in. That doesn't last long and fits comfortably after that. I have noticed that when I have it in at might that I tend to drool more. I'm not sure why. I have to remember to call the orthodontist on Monday. I'm having back surgery later this month and will be in the hospital for 3 or 4 days. I'm not sure how long I can go without wearing my retainer. I know that if you go to long without it, your teeth can move. Time to go relax and spend time with my family. Have a great day!

Root Canals

Well, the root canals went well. The very back molar on the lower left was a new root canal. The tooth in front of it was the one that had to be redone. They both went well even though it seemed like it took forever! This is Saturday and my mouth is still sore on that side, especially if I open it wide or happen to chew on that side. I have an appointment on the 29th with the dentist to have a crown done since the tooth is still cracked. I'm sure that will go fine, too. It hasn't had an effect on my retainer yet and shouldn't since the retainer only goes to the re-done tooth. I'm hoping that having a crown done on the last tooth won't hurt the alignment of my mouth or obstruct the retainer in anyway. I will keep you posted! Take care and have a great day! Ellen

Bet You Thought

Hello to all! I bet you thought you wouldn't hear from me again! I have to call the orthodontist today to ask them a question. On Thursday this week, I have to have a root canal done. Then a week later have to have a crown put on because I have a crack in my last molar on the lower left side. I hadn't thought about it until now that my retainer may not fit because the crown might not be the same exact size as my original tooth. I'm hoping that the retainer won't have to be remade. This is the 2nd root canal I've had done in just over 6 months. I'm so frustrated by this all that I told my husband that I'm going to have all my teeth pulled and get false teeth. No, I won't really do it. Just tired of having dental work done. I keep thinking of all the household items I could by or bills I could pay for what the dental work is going to cost, even with insurance. Back to the weaving loom. Take care and have a great day! Ellen

Sorry & No More Appointments

Hello to all, I am sorry that I haven't posted for so long, life got in the way. My oldest son went into the US Navy and is in Maryland going to school. Work's been busy as well and I'm not sure if I'll have a job next year. Anyway, on the 4th of this month, I had my last orthodontist appointment. He said that everything looks good and that I don't need to come back unless I have problems with my retainer. I am suppose to wear them for the rest of my life, bit only at night, which isn't to bad. I suggest to anyone out there who is considering getting braces as an adult, to think long and hard about getting them. Ask yourself why you want them or need them. It is not an easy undertaking and ere are so many things to consider. I think the biggest mistake I made was not shopping around. I think the price I was charged, especially with getting them off early was ridiculous. They were recommended to me by my dentist. Get recommendations from friends, too. Talk to different orthodontists. Don't be embarrassed to get a second opinion. I guess that's all for now. Please feel free to e mail me with questions or comments at Lnrosy2000@gmail.com Have a great day!

11/02/12 Next Appointment

Hello to all, I hope this finds everyone doing well. I can't believe that it's November 1st already. I think this year went by fast. Though, I hear that the older you get the faster the time goes by. My retainer check is on the 14th of this month. I'm excited and hopefully will be told that I only need to wear my retainer at night. It is still a pain to have to take it off to have a snack while I'm at work. The kids at school are starting to give me weird looks when I take them out or put them back on. I also end up leaving them out for longer times than I probably should. So far it hasn't seemed to hurt anything. I always thought I was a patient person, but am so impatient with my braces and retainer! Time to get dinner ready. Take care and have a great day!

10/27/12 Retainers

So far, so good with the retainer. I had a few times where it would make my upper gums so sore that I would have to leave it out for a few hours. It hasn't happened for awhile, so hoping it was just that I had to get use to wearing them. I can't seem to get the upper front wire to stay where the orthodontist told me to keep it. My teeth haven't moved, so won't panic unless I find I'm getting really sore or they don't go in right. My next appointment isn't until the 14th of November. I'm hoping after that, they will tell me that I can just wear them at night. It's a pain at work when I have to take my retainer out in front of students so I can have my morning snack. No one has said anything, so it's just me feeling uncomfortable about it. I'll let you know what they say at my next appointment. Take care and have a great day!

10/20/12 Final Bill, Acid Reflux & Weight Loss

Hello to all, I hope everyone is having a great day!! I got a final bill in the mail yesterday. They took of another $200, making the final bill $300. I still don't think I should have to pay that much seeing as between the insurance and our payments I've paid for well more than half of what the 27 month price was for 13th months. I'll pay it, but not all at once. It's a little out of our budget right now. The retainer is going better, so far. Though my acid reflux has gotten worse again and I've dropped a couple of pounds. I keep wondering if it has something to do with my stomach thinking of the retainer as being food. Then it produces more acid to compensate. I'm not sure... I only have to wear them 24 hours a day for 5 more weeks. I hope I can make it through to then without getting an ulcer. The other thing is I don't eat as much during the day, especially at work because I have to take the retainer out to eat and I don't always have a place to do it without the kids in class seeing me. I'm sure I'll get it figured out! Take care and have a great day!

10/16/12 Sore...

Well, today the left upper gum to the side is really sore. I'm not sure if the wire on the retainer is rubbing against it or if it's for another reason. I called the orthodontist office and they can't see me until Friday. I told her if it got much worse, that I was going to take it off. She said that my teeth shouldn't move that much in a short time. If they do, they can adjust the retainer to correct it. Right now I'm frustrated with having any pain associated with the retainer. I thought that would all be gone once I got the braces removed. I don't think I've done anything wrong. I've been very careful with it but wonder if maybe I slept hard on that side last night and it pushed the wire out of place. The other thing is that the wire on the sides is really more over the gum and not the teeth. I don't know how it can keep my teeth in place when it's not touching them. Oh well... I'll let you know what happens! Take care and have a great day! Ellen

10/14/12 So far, So Good

I left my retainer out for a bit today. I was making Waldorf Salad and you can't eat with the retainer in. Other than that, things are going well with them. My teeth aren't sore today, which is good. My next appointment is in November. They'll check them then and hopefully I'll get to wear them only at night! I will definitely keep you posted. Take care and have a great week!

10/12/12 Retainer

I made it to the orthodontist at 7:15 this morning. Woke up at 5am!! It went well and I'm so glad that it was my favorite orthodontist that helped me with them. They gave me a sheet of care instructions which I've found out have not changed much in 42 years! He showed me how to put them in and take them out. I have an appointment in 6 weeks to have them checked. No one said anything to me about my balance that I owe. I have a feeling it's because I went to an office that I don't normally go to. I'm sure the next time I show up at my regular office, they'll say something to me. I'm surprised that the other orthodontist has not called me yet. I will still argue the point with them. I don't see why I should have to pay so much when my treatment was shortened at least a year or more. I'll keep you posted on what happens. Take care and have a great weekend!

10/08/12 Off and Mad

Well, they're off! I can't believe it. I'd be more happy if I didn't have such a bad headache! Before they called me back to take them off, the lady that called me the one day called me back to talk about my bill. She showed me some paperwork and said I still owed $520. When I questioned this and told her it was, pardon me, a bunch of crap she got mad. She denied that she ever told me about the $60 or the $300 something and that it was in black and white. I think they're trying to get more money out of me than I owe and that they're upset because I opted to have them taken off early by at least a year. I'm thinking if it was $6000 to begin with that I should only have to pay half of that which has been more than covered by the insurance and what I've paid. They're suppose to have the one orthodontist call me about the bill. I'm sure I'll have to pay when I go on Friday to get my retainer. If they insist on me paying the $520 I'm going to tell them I can't afford it and will make payments on it. Hopefully we can work something out. I'll let you know. The thing that surprised me is that you can pick colors for your retainer. So, I picked sparkly blue. No one will see it, just the idea that I got to choose! Take care and have a great day!

10/08/12 Today is the Day!!!

I am so excited about today. I have no idea how long it will take or if there will be any restrictions on what I can eat until I get my retainer. Really doesn't matter as my husband will be making me smoked ribs today for dinner. I'm still a little leery of what my final payment will be and will argue the point with them. When they originally told me that they were taking off the TAD screws they said the amount was $600. Then she told me a couple of weeks that they were only taking off $460. That's not right to do that. I have to check and see if I have proof of the $600. Though, in the original quote, they said the TADs would be $600 and they have proof of that. They never told me that the amount would change! I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Take care and have a great day!

10/05/12 Anxious

I can't believe the time to get them off is almost here. They called this morning to confirm my appointment. However, I still haven't heard what my pay off amount is going to be. The girl never called me back to let me know. It upsets me to be treated this way. If you get braces I would definitely check more into the financial arrangements. I really think I'm paying more than I need to. Anyway, they really should have settled this with me over the phone. If they do it in the office and it's not to my satisfaction, I will not be happy. This is not good especially if it's in front of other patients. Regardless, I just want to be done with it! Take care and have a great weekend!

09/26/12 Time

I've always said at my age that I wouldn't wish time to pass by faster. Now that I decided to get my braces off, I can't wait for the day. I've found the past two weeks or so that things are rubbing in my mouth more and I'm having to use wax again after not having to use it for a long time. I honestly think if I knew now what I knew then, that I would take my chances and not get braces again. There are just to many issues having them as an adult causes. I did it to save my teeth, but have had one root canal done and would probably end up having more done because of the trauma to the roots and bone in my mouth. These were not problems that they told me about. The other thing I wish is that I would have gotten a second opinion from another orthodontist. If any one out there is considering braces as an adult, think long and hard about it. Ask a lot of questions and definitely seek a second opinion! Take care and have a great day! Ellen

09/23/12 More Waiting

I am frustrated with the orthodontist's billing office. I have not heard back from her at all about the total that I owe them. I am sure that I will have to give them the final balance before they will remove the braces. If it is more than what I think I owe, then I will argue it and hope that there is a waiting room full of people to hear my arguments. When they originally set up my payment schedule, they never told me that if I overpaid but didn't continue to make payments every month, that I would be behind in what I owe. I know that sounds weird, but that was what she told me on the phone. At this point in my life with all that is going on in my personal life and with my health, I don't need any grief from them. I can't wait until the 8th to get them off. Then I get the retainer on the 12th. I'm hoping that I don't have to see them to much after it's all said and done. If I could go back, I would NEVER do it again, at least with them and I won't be recommending them to anyone. Take care and have a great week!

09/17/12 Arguing Over Payments

I got a call from the orthodontists office to tell me that my final payment was only going to be $60. I was so excited! $60 is something that I can handle. Not more than five minutes later, my bubble was burst. She called back to tell me that they had already deducted from the total amount for the T.A.D. screws and that the amount would be over $300. She said the amount they deducted for the screws already was $460. They had told me that they were going to take off the original quoted price of $600 back in June. When I asked her why the amount I had to pay went up she didn't have an answer. I told her that they better figure it out or I would come in and have the things taken off now and they could again figure how much I owe. I still maintain that the amount would be around $160 if the deduct the amount they quoted me back in June. The girl wasn't smart enough to figure it out. Really I think they're upset that I'm having them taken off early and this is their way of punishing me for it. I was in the check out line at Wal-Mart and didn't feel like arguing with her there. I feel sorry for the poor cashier! I'll keep you posted. Take care and have a great day!

9/13/12 Decision Time

Hello to all,

I was eating some frozen yogurt earlier today and had it hit the molar on the upper left where I've been having a problem with the band. Wow did it hurt. I'm now afraid that with everything going on, that I'll end up having to have a root canal done on this tooth. At the last appointment he told me that he would prefer me keeping the braces on longer but that they could be taken off any time. I called the office on my way home from work and told them that I wanted them taken off and why. Even with dental insurance, a root canal on a molar would cost me over $300 and I just can't do that right now. She scheduled the appointment, but said she would give the orthodontist my message and have him call me if there's a problem with taking them off. Really I see no problem as they are my teeth, my braces and I can do with them what I want. I'll keep you posted on how this goes. It will be on October 9th and then get my retainer on the 12th.

Take care and have a great day!

09/09/12 Getting Anxious

I think because the end of my braces really isn't that far away, I am getting anxious to have them taken off. I think I am looking for any excuse I can to tell him at my next appointment that I want them off. I guess it will depend on what they have to say. I think at the very least I will have them do the final adjustment and then have them off in late November or early December. I would love to have them taken off before my son's graduation from the Navy's Basic Training. That way when I go for it, I'll be able to eat anything I want. Also, it would be nice to not have them on for pictures when I go.

There are so many things going on in my life, my son leaving for Basic Training, the possibility of a new job and not having a job next year regardless of whether I stay where I'm at now or take a new job at a different school. Oh well, life goes on!

Take care and have a great week!

09/03/2012 Decisions

Not that I've never said this before, but I am tired of my braces. I know at my last appointment, he said I could have them taken off any time now. I was going to wait and let them do the regular adjustment, then the final adjustment, then have them taken off which is what he recommended. That would mean getting them off in January. After having the root canal done and learning that it could have been caused by trauma to my teeth, roots and bone, I have decided that I will tell them that I want the final adjustment and then having them off. If they tell me no that they won't do it, then I will tell them to take them off and make my retainer. I can't imagine them telling me that they won't do it. After all, they are my teeth and it should be my decision. I am happy with how my teeth feel and look.

Anyway, take care and have a great day! Next appointment is on October 9th. I'll keep you posted!

8/29/12 Root Canal

Remember the sensitivity to heat and cold I talked about in my last post? I went to the Endodontist yesterday. It turns out that the nerve for the tooth that was bothering me was completely dead. I was curious how it would go with having braces on, but went just fine with no damage to my braces. Today I can drink hot and cold drinks again. I still have to go to my dentist for a permanent filling.I know that will be fine as well. I did ask the Endodontist why this happened and could it be related to my braces. He said with all the moving of the teeth, roots and bone, that it could be a part of why it happened. I hadn't thought about braces being such trauma to my teeth.

Oh well, it's better now and that's all that matters. I sure am glad that we have good dental insurance.

Take care and have a great day!

8/24/12 Yesterday's appointment, today's pain

My appointment yesterday went well. I will have one more normal adjustment, a final adjustment and then have them taken off. I could have them off now, but he wants the teeth on the right side to come together a little bit more. The pain that I was having with that left band is gone for now. He adjusted the band and so far, it is better.

Now for the pain from today. Actually for a couple of days I've been having extreme sensitivity to heat and cold with a tooth in the front. I thought it was from when they shaved some off of it early in my treatment. I went to my dentist today and she could see no outward reasons for the sensitivity. So, I'm going to see an Endodontist on Tuesday to see if I need a root canal. I don't care if I have to have one done. I just want the pain to go away!

Take care and have a great weekend!

08/22/12 OW OW OW

Hello to all,

I can't wait for my appointment tomorrow. I have been having trouble with that upper left band and had to take a pain pill last night because it hurt so bad. It's not just the tooth that is hurting, but the inside of my mouth. I am ready to tell him tomorrow to take them off now. I have pain in other parts of my body, chronic pain and I can't deal with having any more. The braces is the only one I have control over. I'm so frustrated right now that I almost called them on my way home to have it done today. I'm sure they're going to try to talk me out of it. Unless they can guarantee me no pain, I won't keep them on.

Sorry to be so down! Take care and have a great day!

8?18/12 Upcoming Appointment

Hello to all,

I hope everyone is doing well. I'm excited for my next appointment on the 23rd of this month. They talked about changing the wires and maybe sanding my teeth a little to make more room. I had this done not to long after I got the braces on two lower teeth towards the front. I wasn't happy with it as the area is a little more sensitive than it was before. He said he didn't have to do it, so hope that decision remains the same. I'm hoping that things are going well and that I won't have to wait til January to get them off. Last time, he said 3 or 4 more visits. This will be the first of those. I will definitely keep you posted.

Things have been going well without the rubberbands. I do put them on once in awhile when the headaches aren't bad. I just didn't want to go totally without them and have it prolong the amount of time that I have to have the braces on.

Time to go ice my hand. I have tendonitis in the knuckle on my right hand below my pointer finger. To much signing at work!

Take care and have a great day!

08/12/12 Bands

Hello to all,

Hope you're having a wonderful day! I ended up making a trip to the orthodontist this past Friday after work. I thought the band around my upper left molar was slipping. I could feel it more and the tooth was really sore. The assistant checked it out and said it was as tight as it could be. She said that it could have been because I have been going without rubberbands. You would have thought it would have happened sooner, but still don't know if that's what it was or not. It seems to have calmed down some. My jaws are really sore lately, too and that could be part of what caused it. I'm excited for my next visit on the 23rd. Still hoping that they won't change the time that I'll get them off!

Take care and have a wonderful day! I'm off to do my chores.

08/04/12 Rubberbands Again

Hello to all,

I've gone some time without the rubberbands and so far so good. My headache is better, but my jaws are still sore some. I'm trying to keep my teeth together without clenching my jaws tight. I did wear the rubberbands last night to see how it would be this morning and I don't think it made it worse. I'm wondering how when I get my braces off, that my teeth will stay together and I won't have the open bite problem again. I guess that's another question for the orthodontist when I go in on the 23rd!

Take care and have a great day!

08/03/12 Finally

Hello to all,

I hope you're all doing well! I finally talked to the orthodontists office yesterday. The headache and jaw pain had become so bad that I thought I had an ear infection and went to my family doctor. He told me it was not an infection, but most likely jaw pain related to my braces. Anyway, I called the orthodontist office and he said I could go without the rubberbands until my next appointment to see if it helps take care of the jaw pain and also to see how I do without them. I'm excited about not having to wear them, but am also worried about it doing something to the alignment of my teeth. If the headache gets better, I may put the rubberbands on for short periods of time. I don't want to do anything that extends the time I have to have my braces on! I'll keep you posted.

Take care and have a great weekend!

7/31/12 Rubberbands & Frustrations Again!

Hello to all,

I sent a text to my orthodontist last night to ask about the rubberbands. Now when I put them on, they are so tight that I feel like I'm clenching my jaws and it makes them and my head hurt. I know they say that I can leave them off for awhile, but I would have to leave them off for a long time to get rid of the pain. I haven't heard back from him yet today. If I don't hear from him by noon or so, I'll call the office and see what the recommend. I really just wish it was all over with. I'm not sorry that I got them, but can't wait to get them off. If they tell me that I have to have them on longer than December or January, I'm going to tell them to take them off any way. I guess at this point I would tell any adult who is considering braces to think long and hard about getting them.

Take care and have a great day!

7/28/12 Tired of Rubberbands

For some reason the past few days, when I put rubberbands on after they've been off for any amount of time, I feel like I've had my jaw wired shut. I really dislike how it feels. It's kind of like I'm grinding my teeth all of the time. Sometimes it really feels like I've got something pulling on my bottom teeth all of the time, especially on the right. If it continues, I'll send my orthodontist a text message to see if it's normal. My next appointment isn't until the 23rd of August. I'm normally a patient person, but with so much going on, getting ready to go back to work and my oldest son going into the Navy, I'm just not very patient right now! I'm sure I'll survive!

Take care and have a great weekend!!

07/22/12 Vacation & Braces

Hello to all,

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything lately. We've been on vacation! It was great to see my family and our grand kids. Wow do they grow every year. We also went camping and fishing about 4 hours from home. Caught a few fish, wish we'd have caught more. Still it was fun!

Not much new on the braces front. Now that I know that I'll only have 3 or 4 more visits, I'm anxious for it to all be over. I'm still wearing my rubberbands. I've ben wondering once I get my braces off and get my retainer, how they will keep my teeth together so that I won't get an open bite again. I'll ask them at my next visit on August 23rd and will let you know.

Back to the unpacking and laundry. Take care and have a great day!

7/5/12 Apple, Chicken and Ribs

I keep thinking about my last appointment and how hopefully I will still get my braces off early. I forgot to tell you that I reiterated to the orthodontist that there was no way I would do a permanent retainer. I also keep thinking about all the things I'll be able to eat once I get my braces off. I can eat apples, but have to cut them into small pieces. I can eat chicken if I cut it off the bones. Ribs, are a bit more difficult as there isn't much to cut off the bone. Add to the list carrots. I can't eat them unless they're cooked, grated or cut into very small pieces. There's also popcorn, caramel... The list goes on. When I was 10 and had braces, I didn't care about all the food I couldn't eat. It sure is different now. I go to the grocery store still and say I can't eat this, I can't eat that... I'm looking forward to being able to eat everything again!

Take care and have a great day!

6/29/12 Good News...

I went to the orthodontist for my appointment today. They did the x rays and he was extremely surprised at how well my teeth were doing. I kept asking how much sooner and he didn't answer for awhile. He said that it would be towards the end of this year, probably 3 more adjustments, maybe a fourth. I was ecstatic! That means about 9 or 10 months early! I will have to wear a retainer, which I don't have a problem with especially since it won't be a permanent one. I am so excited, have I said that yet! I can't wait to bite into a big apple or eat chicken or rib meat right off the bone and not have to cut everything into little pieces! He did say that they would adjust the price accordingly. If I still owed money, then I would pay. But at that point if I had overpaid, they would refund the money to me. I will definitely keep you posted. My next appointment isn't until August 23rd.

Take care and have a great weekend!

6/27/12 Two More Days...

I can't believe that it's two more days until my appointment. I'm hoping that I won't be disappointed about the amount of time I'll have to wear these. I have my dentist appointment today and will definitely ask her what she thinks about it.

Besides having the braces, the thing that I hate the most is the rubberbands. They really do make me feel like I have my mouth wired shut, especially when I wake up in the morning. I know they are doing what they are suppose to be doing, bringing my upper jaw down in alignment with the lower one. I do notice sometimes that even with them on, I do still hold my upper and lower jaws apart.

Time to go eat breakfast! Take care and have a great day. I'll keep you posted!

6/24/12 Waiting...

I can't wait until this Friday. Okay, really I can, but I can't. My husband asked me how long I would have to have my braces and I said I'll find out Friday. Really the biggest thing that concerned me with my bite was that very, very few of my teeth met. Now, they all do. I don't think they'll let me out of these things very early as it would mean less money for them. I do have a dentist appointment Wednesday and I'm going to ask her what she thinks about how my teeth look. The last time I saw her she said she saw great improvement. So, keep your fingers crossed for my visit on Friday. I'll definitely let you know what happens!

Take care and have a great week!

6/20/12 Rubberbands

I have noticed lately that when I take my rubberbands off and leave them off for awhile, I get sores in spots where the rubberbands would be. When I put them on again, the sore spots go away. I'm thinking that the rubberbands are enough to keep the brackets from rubbing against the inside of my mouth. It makes me worry that when they tell me that I can stop using the rubberbands that the inside of my mouth will have sore spots all over again and have to build up callouses so that it doesn't happen again.

Just over a week until my next appointment. At my age, I would never want to wish time away, but hope that they next week goes fast!

Take care and have a great day!

6/17/12 Wishful Thinking!

I keep thinking it's the week of the 25th. Wishful thinking! That's the week of my next appointment where I'll find out if I'll get my braces off early. Even if I do, I can't imagine it would be more than a month or two early. I would love it if they would say that they're going to take them off in September which would be a year since I got them. I will definitely keep you posted!

Take care and have a great day!

Ellen

6/13/12 Need More Rubberbands

I need to make a trip to the orthodontists office today. Too bad it's not for my appointment. I need to pick up some more rubberbands. I'm sure I probably have enough to last me, but figure as long as I'm over that way I might as well stop by and get some. I change them at least four times a day, sometimes more often. It really depends on how much I eat or talk with them on. It really stretches them out. It's weird how they can feel so comfortable before I change them and so tight when I put the new ones on. I think I'm use to them now! I also need to get a better receipt for my last payment so that I can turn it into our medical savings plan for reimbursement. After that it's off to the mall with a friend to walk. It's to hot here to walk outside for any length of time.

Take care and have a great day!

6/09/12 Spaghetti

My husband made a wonderful pasta dinner last night using spaghetti noodles. Wow if I thought Quinoa was bad about getting stuck in my braces, spaghetti has the quinoa beat by a mile. I couldn't believe how many times I wanted to just reach in my mouth and get the stuff out from being stuck behind the wires. I guess I was trying to be polite, even if I was in my own home, so refrained from sticking my fingers in my mouth every 10 seconds!Though, sometimes I think it would be funny to leave the food in there and smile really big. I'm sure my husband wouldn't think it was funny, but my 13 year old son would!

Time to get ready to go to my knitting group. Take care and have a great weekend!

06/05/12 Wondering Why...

I guess I've been wondering about other adults who have braces. I just haven't been able to find any to talk to. Does anyone who reads my blog know of adults with braces? I would really like to chat with them about their experiences and if things that I have had happen are the same as what's happened to them.

Time to go eat lunch and then get my rubberbands put back on. Take care and have a great day!

06/04/12 Waiting...

I am normally a patient person. However, when it comes to my braces, I dislike the time that I have to wait in between appointments, especially this next one on the 29th. I will find out then how much earlier I will get my braces off. I know when I so I'll still have to wear a retainer, but can handle that because it will be removable. The rubberbands are doing okay. In fact I need to put them back on. Sometimes they are so tight that it gives me a headache, so I give myself a short break from them.

I saw my dentist briefly the other day and she couldn't believe how good my teeth are looking and how fast things are going.

I'm sure in the end, it will be worth having the braces. It's just that there are so many things I dislike about having them on. I can't wait until I can bite into a whole apple and hear the crunch of it as I do so.

Take care and have a great day!

5/29/12 Mouth Wired Shut

Every time I change the rubberbands it feels like my mouth has been wired shut. This is especially so after wearing them at night. When I wake up the are especially tight. I'm sure this is because I haven't done anything to stretch them out. It's hard when I have them on to yawn. If I open my mouth to wide, they will snap and break. It's happened before and it hurts! Not that I would wish my summer away, but can't wait for my next appointment. I'm not holding out for getting them off a lot earlier, but any time less than originally thought would be great! I'll keep you posted!

Take care and have a great day!

5/25/12 Not Going To Say It...

Remember when I said I wasn't going to say it and I really didn't. I shouldn't have even thought it. I have a spot on the lower right where the brackets and rubberbands are rubbing and there are two sores there. I don't know why it happened. My teeth really aren't moving from where the rubberbands are. I guess it's because it's aligning my jaw more. Who knows! Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow or the next day.

Well, I am officially unemployed for the summer. School is out and won't start again until the first week of August. I don't like being without a paycheck but love having the summers off with my son.

Take care and have a great weekend!

5/20/12 Sometimes...

Sometimes at night when I wake up, the rubberbands make it feel like my mouth has been wired shut. I can't open it very wide at all. I'm sure my husband would like it to be so I can't talk his ear off. Really he would just tease me about it! Funny. I am even more anxious about my next appointment in June to see how much earlier I will get my braces off. Right now, I'm still tired of them. I think if I hadn't had the TMJ problems and gone to the one Doctor for it, I wouldn't be in this position. He told me that I needed to not grind my teeth at night, wear a night guard to keep me from grinding them and told me to not let my teeth meet. I really think this is what caused my open bite and the need for braces!

Take care and have a great day!

5/18/12 Not Going To Say It!

I'm not going to tell you that things with my braces are going okay. I'm afraid if I do that tomorrow I'll end up with a canker sore or some place where I'll have to put wax. The new rubberband placements are okay, but am still surprised that when I change the bands how it pulls my teeth into alignment better. I'm also surprised at how little I can open my mouth,that is until I get the rubberbands stretched out! Talking does that good enough.

I have one more week of work left before the school I work at is out for the summer. I hate not getting paid over the summer, but really, really love having the summers off with my family!

Take care and have a great weekend!

05/15/12 Took my Rubberbands off and Didn't Know It!

It's weird. I woke up this morning and my rubberbands were off. I don't remember taking them off during the night. Guess I did though. I sure hope I didn't swallow them! I've had the rubberbands break during the day if I open my mouth to wide, but have never had that happen at night.

Oh well. I hope it doesn't happen again. I'm really trying to keep them on all of the time. I know that it helps with my treatment and can possibly help with the amount of time I'll have to have the braces on.

Take care and have a great day!

05/13/12 Happy Mother's Day! Rubberband Pain

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to those of you who are mother's!

I am having some pain from where the repositioned the rubberbands. It is on tooth 3 and 4 on the top and 3, 4, 5 on the bottom. It holds my jaw closer together and it is harder to open my mouth. I can still talk, but have trouble getting food in there with the rubberbands on. I'm sure I'll get use to it. My teeth are a bit sore and so are my jaws. I did forget to tell you that I saw my before pictures and can't believe how much better my teeth look. I am looking forward to my next appointment to see if my braces will indeed come off early!

Take care and have a great day!

05/11/12 My Appointment Today

Things went well at my appointment today. They are not going to need to use the TAD screws which takes $600 off the total price of my braces. They also said I would probably get them off early but won't know how much until my next appointment. They have to do a panoramic xray of my mouth to see the position of my roots. Then they will know for sure. I was so excited about not needing the TAD screws, that the bonus of having them off early was wonderful to hear as well. They did change the position I have to use the rubberbands. While I'm not excited about the continued use of rubberbands, it was still a happy appointment and I'll use the rubberbands as much as I need to.

It's been a long week and I'm glad for the weekend. We had a wonderful speaker at work, a woman that survived the Holocaust. Interpreting in sign language for the student I work with was a challenge, but one that was well worth it.

Take care and have a great weekend!

Ellen

05/08/11 3 Days To Go

Three Days to go until my next appointment. I'm still tired of my braces, but am curious as to what he will say about the TAD Screws and/or rubberbands. I thought I was getting a canker sore on the front inside of my upper lip. I put wax on my braces yesterday and some over the counter canker sore med last night along with wax to help protect it. I took the wax off this morning but used some Ambesol to deaden the pain. Tonight it still hurts, but is a lot better than yesterday. I'm sure that it was just place where the braces were rubbing.

Anyway, thanks for reading my blog. I do appreciate it and will keep you updated on what happens on the 11th. Think good thoughts for me if you can!

Take care and have a great day!

Ellen

05/05/12 Tired of My Braces!

I am so tired of my braces and rubberbands! It's almost 8 months since I had my braces put on which means that I have 19 months left to go if I don't finish early. I think part of it has to do with this ear infection that I've had. I still think part of the pain that I've been having is from the rubberbands pulling on the braces, or the braces moving my jaw around. The pain always seems to be better when I have the rubberbands off. I think I'll call on Monday to see if they can see me before Friday. I just don't know how much more of this I can take. I am going to tell him that I don't want the T.A.D. screws put in. Here's a link if you don't know what they are:http://www.drbibby.com/mini-screws-tad.php He told me they would go in when I've had the braces on for 9 months. I just don't think I can do it. They're going to have to do something else that doesn't involve screwing tiny screws into my bones. I'm sorry I'm so negative today, just tired of the braces along with the pain they've been causing my jaws.

Take care and have a great day!

Ellen

5/2/12 Tired

I am so tired today. I found out I have a middle and outer ear infection. If it hadn't been for the jaw pain that I had, I never would have investigated the pain. I thought for sure it was from wearing the rubberbands for my braces and things moving around. I'm glad I work at a school. I had the school nurse check my ears and she said it was red and that I should be seen by a doctor. The weird thing is, that the pain was worse last night when I had the rubberbands on. I texted the orthodontist this morning to see if it was okay if I left them off for awhile. He said it was, but not for to long. I did put them back on after lunch and the pain didn't come back. I am again thankful that I can send my orthodontist a text and he'll answer me back. Can't wait to see what he says on the 11th.

Take care and have a great day!

4/29/12 Anxious

My next appointment is on the 11th of May. I'm really anxious to see what he has to say. I've been using the rubberbands all the time like they say. Though at the minute, I have them off. I ate breakfast and am drinking my tea. I'm hoping that they are doing what he wanted them to and that I won't have to get the TAD screws put in. The thought of them screwing the screws into the bone in my mouth and then attaching springs to my braces does not thrill me at all. I may even tell him that I'll take my chances without the springs. If I don't have them put in, it takes $600 off the cost of my braces. It's not really the cost, just the thought of them putting them in!

Time to go finish some more laundry. Take care and have a great day!

4/25/12 More Rubberbands

I don't know of any other kind of doctor that would give you their cell phone number and tell you to call or text them any time you need something or have questions. He had given it to me before I was officially a patient. The other day I realized that I was running out of rubberbands and would need more before to long. I knew there was no way I could make it by their office after work. I sent him a text message and he said just to contact the office and they would take care of it. I did call them and had rubberbands mailed to me. It's not the first time I've sent him a text message. It just dawned on me now how convenient to have this option.

Take care and have a great day!

P.S. Callouses

I forgot to tell you that I can't leave wax on the lower front brackets. If I do, the inside of my mouth wouldn't build up callouses and it would continue to bother me over and over again. I'd like to leave the wax off in hopes that in a few days, it won't bother me as much!

4/21/12 Sand Paper again

Now that I'm wearing rubberbands and my teeth are starting to meet, it forces me to keep my front teeth together. It's made everything sore including my jaws. I thought I was getting canker sores again in the front lower inside of my mouth. However, after putting wax on them last night so I cold sleep without hurting, the spots are going away. I think it was from rubbing on the front brackets. I feel like I'm getting caught in them. And, the whole area feels like sandpaper. It's definitely a weird feeling when you are use to having the inside of your mouth feel smooth!

Take care and have a great weekend!

4/18/12 Crackers and Rubberrbands

I'm posting from my Nook today and hoping I don't make to many mistakes! I am at work, waiting for the students to finish testing. I decided to have a snack of Ritz crackers. I'm so used to just putting them in my mouth whole. Imagine my surprise when I put one in my mouth and it got stuck! I thought what on earth is wrong with me? Oh, that's right I have rubberbands on! I also discovered that the crackers turn to mush and really get stuck in places in my braces that can't be gotten out with my finger. I've often wondered what people think of me when they see me rooting around in my mouth with my finger! Guess I better start carrying a toothbrush in my backpack! Take care and have a great day!!

4/15/12 Braces and Weight Loss

Hello to all,

I hope this finds you all doing well. Last night my husband and I were watching a news show on TV. They were talking about weight loss and that one of the ways to lose weight besides eating less is to eat slowly. I had always thought that the weight I lost after getting my braces was because of the things that I couldn't eat and from my acid reflux. After seeing that it made me realize that with the braces, I eat more slowly. A lot of it is trying to get the food unstuck from my braces. Another part is because I chew more carefully. I don't want to break any part of the braces and have to face my orthodontist. I have gained a few pounds back from the 16 I lost. I'm comfortable where I'm at now and hope I can maintain it. My mom always said the older I get, the harder it will be to lose weight!

I'm off to do the housework and laundry. Take care and have a great day!

4/13/12 Spaghetti and Salad

I found something else besides quinoa that gets stuck in my braces. The first thing is spaghetti noodles. My husband made a wonderful dinner last night that used veggies from our garden sauteed in olive oil mixed with spaghetti noodles and parmesan cheese. It was delicious. I swear I spent half of dinner picking the darn noodles out of my braces. I should have looked in the mirror to see how ridiculous I looked with all the noodles poking out of my wires! The other thing is salad greens. It actually does look funny to see them in there. Brushing my teeth helps, but I have to floss and also use a really small wire brush to go behind the wires and in between the brackets. Having braces really requires a lot of work to help keep my teeth healthy! I should buy stock in those little wire brushes and dental floss!

Take care and have a great weekend!

4/10/12 Beef Jerky

I love beef jerky. When you have braces, you can not eat it without softening it either in your mouth or by cutting it into pieces and pouring boiling water over it for a few minutes and then eating it. It defeats the purpose if you have to do that, it's just not the same! However, my dear, wonderful husband did an experiment yesterday. He ground some round steak mixed it with all the spices he normally does and then put it through a special attachment for our stuffer and then smoked it. Wow is it good! I admit I have to keep it in my mouth for 30 seconds to soften it just a bit. But, I can eat it and it is wonderful. Now if I could think of a way to eat apples without having to cut them into teeny pieces, things would be great!

I'm off to have some more jerky! Take care and have a great day!

4/9/12 More Rubberbands...

It's weird how after just a few hours of wearing the rubberbands, they become loose. They don't feel loose. However, when I take them off and replace them with new ones, the new ones are much tighter. My lower jaw is sore today. I'm sure it's a result of everything moving again. I'm really anxious for my next appointment to see if he still thinks I won't need the T.A.D. screws. I'm ready to tell him that I will go with what I have and really don't want to use the screws. Keep you fingers crossed that I won't need them. My next appointment is not until the 11th of May, still a month away!

I wish that I knew other adults with braces to compare my experiences with theirs.

Time to check my work e mail. I didn't have time to do it while I was there today. Take care and have a great day!

3/6/12 Rubberbands

I am getting better at putting on the rubberbands and feel like they are doing what they are suppose to be doing. However, I think the worst problem with them is that sometimes the inside of my cheek gets caught under the rubberband and it pinches which really hurts. The other thing that I had happen is that I stuck my tongue out to look at it and the underside of my tongue got pinched by the rubberband. That hurts even more!! The rubberbands seem to be doing what they're suppose to. More and more I can feel my upper and lower teeth meeting. This is a good thing. I'm really looking forward to my next appointment to see if he still feels that I won't have to have the T.A.D. screws to help align my jaw.

Here's a link if you don't know what T.A.D. screws are:
http://www.pressrelease365.com/pr/medical/dental/las-vegas-orthodontics-invisalign-orthodontist-4405.htm

Take care and have a great day!

4/2/12 Debacterol & Canker Sores

The spots on the front of my mouth were canker sores. I ended up going to the orthodontists office after work yesterday to have them put some debacterol on them. It stings really bad and tastes like a campfire, but wow does it work. The skin there turned white and is starting to peel off and you can still see the canker sores. However, the pain is minimal today and I haven't had to put wax on that area yet today. While I was there she bent the hook on the band that I attach rubberbands to and it really helped with that area on the inside of my cheek that was getting so chewed up by it.

I think I'm really not going to do posts that I'm doing okay. Seems like every time I do that, things go bad.

Take care and have a great day!

4/1/12 Shouldn't Have Said It!

I guess I have to stop posting that everything is going well. Between the last time I posted and right now, the inside of my right cheek has gotten all chewed up. I can tell my teeth are moving and there is just a little bit of the wire sticking out of the upper right band on the back molar. I'm not sure if that's what is causing the problem or something else. I had to put wax on it last night to sleep because it was bothering me so much! Oh well, this, too, shall pass!

Have a great day!

3/31/12 Should I Say It's Going Okay?

Things have calmed down somewhat with the rubberbands. I'm still trying to wear them as often as I can and change them whenever I'm going to eat. I do leave them off for a little while to give myself a break. The inside of my mouth is rough and bothers me a little bit, but nothing like I thought it would. My next appointment isn't until May 11th. I might have to get more of the tiny rubberbands from the orthodontists office. Anyway, I didn't want to say I was doing okay. When I've said it in the past, something always happens...

Take care and have a great day!

3/29/12 Exhausted and Rubberbands

First of all, sorry I haven't posted. With my Mom having broke her shoulder last week, most of my spare time is with her. She is an amazing and stubborn woman and I love her dearly.

Now for an update with the rubberbands. It's going well, but my jaws seem really sore at times and I get a headache. I'm not sure if the headache is due to the rubberbands or stress. Maybe a little bit of both. I am wearing the rubberbands as much as I can and change them several times a day. I have to resist the urge when I take the old ones off to change them to shoot them at people walking by!

Take care and have a great day!

3/26/12 Tongue and Sandpaper

Things are going well with the rubberbands. I'm getting better at putting them on. Taking them off is not a big deal. It's hard to do certain things like cheer on the runners in P.E. class. If I open my mouth to yell the rubberbands break! I can't stick my tongue out at my husband either without them breaking. The inside of my mouth is again feeling like sandpaper. I'm sure the use of the rubberbands is making everything move and the brackets are rubbing in places that they hadn't before. It's been just a few days, so am sure that things will be better in a few more!

Take care and have a great day!

3/24/12 Happy Birthday and rubberbands

First, happy birthday to my 86 year old mom!! I love you!

Now, for the whole rubberband experience. This is the second day and so far, so good. The upper left inside of my mouth towards the front was sore a little bit yesterday. I wasn't sure if it was from the rubberbands or the part on the bracket the holds the rubberband on. Maybe a little bit of both. I have eaten with them on, but it is much easier to take them off and eat. Then I put new ones on. My teeth got a little sore Thursday and yesterday but today really aren't. What's sore is my jaw. With the rubberbands on, it forces me to keep my teeth close together, which I am not use to. It's such an odd feeling. I was so excited when the orthodontist said that I may not need to have the T.A.D. screws that I'll wear the rubberbands and do exactly as he says. Maybe I'll even get them off early for good behavior!

Take care and have a great day!

3/22/12 Sorry I haven't posted!

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. My almost 86 year old mother went for a walk earlier this week and fell outside her condo. She has a broken right shoulder and a cracked rib on the left. I've been there taking care of her and got home a little while ago. For her age, she is doing remarkably well. She will find out Monday if she has to have surgery to repair it. Keep Betty in your prayers please!

I went to the orthodontist today and he is still surprised at how fast my teeth are moving. He said that I may not need to have the T.A.D screws to help the alignment of my jaw. They did no major adjustments other than they added rubberbands to the brackets on both sides. They said I have to change them anytime I eat. There will be times at work that I won't be able to. I'll have to learn to eat with them on. It'll be okay with some foods, the ones that I can get in without having to open my mouth to wide. Right now my jaws are a little sore, but not to bad. It'll be interesting to see how my teeth move and how sore they get or how chewed up the inside of my mouth gets. I'll keep you posted.

Time to go eat dinner. Take care and have a great day!

3/17/12 Caramel

I had really been craving caramel, one of the things I can't eat because I have braces. The day before yesterday I was grocery shopping and came across Mara Natha Caramel Almond Spread. It was in the peanut butter aisle. I just had some today on an apple cut into pieces (can't bite into them whole, it'll break brackets) and WOW is it good. There's just enough caramel flavor to satisfy that craving and enough almond flavor to satisfy the can't eat almonds craving! I think I must have used almost half of the jar but it was well worth it. YUMMY!!!!

Take care and have a great day!

Ellen

3/16/12 Picking at My Braces

I was out yesterday and had a nice croissant with spinach and feta cheese. Later that day I hadn't realize how much of it had gotten stuck in my teeth. Out of habit I started reaching in my mouth to get some of it out of my braces and wow did I get strange looks from a few people. Oh well, guess I should carry a tooth brush in my purse and find a bathroom to use it in. Trouble with that is I do that at work after lunch and still get a few strange looks from coworkers when they come in to use the bathroom.

The nurse at my doctor's office told me yesterday that she was going to get braces. She's a lot younger than I am, so I'm hoping she will get use to them more quickly than I did. I told her to be sure to call me if she has any questions that only a person who has braces can answer.

Take care and have a great day!
Ellen

2/13/12 Sleeping

The past couple of nights after falling asleep after my poor 13 year old son's coughing stopped I slept especially hard on my right side. When I woke up, I had a small sore on the upper inside of my right cheek towards the front. I'm sure it's from one of the little pieces on the brackets that will eventually hold rubber bands or springs if they are needed. I hadn't had this before. I'm sure my teeth have moved more because things feel out of place from where they were before. Not to bad, but enough that the inside of my mouth is sore again. My next appointment is next week. I wonder where this adventure will take me next! More sore teeth, more sore mouth? Oh well, this, too, shall pass. It's spring break and I actually am going to get the loom ready to weave. At least I keep telling myself that!

Take care and have a great day!

3/11/12 Not Only Quinoa!

I thought the Quinoa was the only thing that really got stuck in my braces and took a long time to get out even after brushing. However, we bought some whole grain bread at Costco today. I didn't think to much until I happen to smile at myself in the mirror and saw a bunch of seeds stuck in my braces and between my teeth. They're small, so didn't feel them. Good thing I wasn't going out in public where I smile all the time. I'd hate to think of what people might think when they would see anything stuck in my braces. Oh well. 6 months finished, 21 more to go.

Take care and have a great day!

3/7/12 Sore Teeth a Little

Everything was fine until I went to brush my teeth this morning. I realized that some of my lower teeth were a bit sore, not as bad as right after an adjustment. It surprised me. They're not bad this afternoon, especially after eating a cookie that was a bit hard. I hate that I can't bite into things that are hard. I have to break off pieces, suck on them until they're a little bit soft. Guess it's better than not eating certain things at all! I can tell that my teeth are separating and I've had more spaces between them. I'm not use to that and have to be really careful about brushing and flossing them and not leaving food in my braces for other people to see when I smile at them!

I'm trying to decide what colors to get for the bands that go around the brackets. I got pink and white last time for Valentines Day. I love some of the dark colors, but they really make the braces stand out more. They stand out enough on their own, I don't need to add more to it. Oh well...

Time to go help my husband fix dinner. Don't know what he has planned. Tonight I'm going to work on a Moebius scarf I'm knitting, quite fascinating! Take care and have a great day!

3/4/12 Quinoa

I thought that greens, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, etc and some meats were the worse thing to get stuck in my braces. They don't even begin to compare with Quinoa, a small grain that tastes delicious and is packed full of protein. We had some with dinner. I love it! After dinner, I brushed my teeth, flossed and even used the small brushes that go between my teeth. I'm still finding little pieces of quinoa in my braces. I sure hope that I don't find anymore tonight. Hopefully none tomorrow, either!

Have a great night!

3/3/12 Do I Dare Say It's Okay?

Things have been really good lately. No mouth soreness or teeth soreness. I know that by mentioning this, that I'll have soreness on the inside of my mouth soon. I have a little now and then, but nothing that has required me to use wax on it. Things are good! My next appointment is on the 22nd of this month. 6 months finished, 21 more to go. I've decided that when the 27 months is done with, that I'm telling the orthodontist to take them off done or not.

I'm still having acid reflux problems and was put on a different medication. I am still convinced that the braces have something to do with the reflux. I know one of the medicines I take for my heart palpitations can cause stomach issues, but I've been taking it for quite awhile with no issues. My husband says that my stomach thinks my braces are food and is making extra acid because of it. Oh well, as my mom would say, "This, too, shall pass"!

Time to go do chores. I need to check our veggie gardens and walk around the property to see how everything is doing. Then I'm hoping to get to my weaving loom today.

Take care and have a great day!

2/28/12 Stuck Food

I think the worse problem other than the inside soreness of my mouth and the teeth soreness is the food getting stuck in my braces. It gets really hard to eat sometimes and not stick my fingers in my mouth to get the food out of my braces. My family has gotten use to it, but not sure about my co-workers. Actually, they're a great bunch of people who realize that we all have our own issues! I just don't want to be walking around work and have food stuck in my braces that I didn't know was there!

Take care and have a great day!

2/26/12 Weird

I am doing pretty good, had some weird soreness last week.  It hurt a little bit, but wasn't horrible and went away in a couple of days. This was in front of my lower teeth inside my mouth. I have a roughness on the inside of my lower right cheek that was different than the sandpaper feeling that I had before. Not sure why it's that way... don't really care as long as it doesn't hurt.

I am 53 years old and would never at this point in my life wish time to go by faster. It does that enough on it's own. However, I'm really tired of having braces and wish it was time to have them taken off. I was really depressed the other day walking through the grocery store looking at all the stuff I can't eat because of my braces and acid reflux. I still think there's a connection!

Take care and have a great day. I finished my housework, need to finish my laundry than it's off to the weaving loom to get it ready to weave!!

2/21/12 Again Not to Bad!

Sorry I haven't written anything lately, not much to say. I am still getting a little bit of being chewed up on the inside of my mouth along with pushing up on the upper bands with my tongue. Other than that and being exhausted from lack of sleep, things are doing pretty good. I have my next appointment on the 22nd of next month and hope that things go well with it. I'm really hoping to avoid the TAD screws that he wants to put in later on in my treatment. They actually screw into the bone and then they attach springs from the TAD screws to my braces. I hated having that spring on the lower front. Talk about chewing stuff up. I was miserable for at least a week with that before the inside of my mouth got use to it. Oh well, all in a days treatment.

Take care and have a great day. If anyone has any questions about my experiences with braces, don't hesitate to contact me!

2/17/12 Talking

The student that I interpret for was not at school today. I ended up in my office doing work there and talked for most of the day with the woman I share an office with. It was great and I loved the conversation. However, the inside of my mouth is now all chewed up and so sore. I don't think I can put wax over everything. I know if I tell me husband this, that he'll just laugh at me! He's always telling me I talk to much. Sore mouth or not, I'm not going to stop!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

2/16/12 Better Again

Well, that one spot that was bothering me on the right is gone. I figured it would be. Now there's a spot in the inside of my left cheek that is starting to get sore. Sometimes I think it's from when I eat certain things or if I hold my mouth a certain way. It's been 5 months today that I got my braces and things are getting easier. I'm not depressed really anymore about having them. Like I said last time, I am finding ways around the things I can't eat. The biggest issue right now is the acid reflux and while I'd like to blame it on my braces, I guess I can't totally blame it on them. I'll talk to the GI doctor when I go later this month.

I better go and see how my husband is doing. He's replacing a headlight in my car! Take care and have a wonderful day!

2/13/12 Spoke To Soon!

Okay, I know I said that everything was amazing and nothing was getting chewed up on the inside of my mouth. However, there is a sore spot now on the right inside part of my cheek. I finally had to put wax on the upper band because it's digging into the inside and has made a sore spot. Hopefully it won't last to much longer. If it does, I will call and see if there's something they can do about it.

I know there are so many things I'm not suppose to eat, but have found ways around it. My husband makes the best beef jerky. I tear off little pieces and let them soften in my mouth enough for me to be able to chew them and not hurt my braces. Also, there is no band on the very last molar, so I chew a lot of the hard stuff there. Hopefully I won't hurt the tooth. Somethings are worth the risk!

Take care and have a great day! I am!!!

1/12/12 Still Going Well

So far, this has been the best time since I've had an adjustment done. My teeth stayed sore for a couple of days longer than in the past. That doesn't bother me. It's the inside of my mouth that I'm really amazed at, that it hasn't gotten chewed up like it has in the past. This makes me really happy. The biggest problem that I have now is practicing swallowing the way he wants me to. I have to put my tongue up against the roof of my mouth behind my upper teeth so that I don't push my teeth forward. It was hard to do at first and now it's easier. I still have to remind myself to do it. I suppose the more I do it, the more natural it will become! It's just weird for now.

Time to go do some more housework, then I need to start a new knitting or maybe a weaving project! Take care and have a great week!

2/9/12 Amazing!

I guess I figured that any time I had my braces adjusted that not only would my teeth hurt but that the inside of my mouth would get chewed up, too. I never thought about once the initial movements were made with my teeth that maybe the new movements would be so minute that the area would already be calloused. I know that the inside of my mouth and cheeks can still get caught on things or get chewed up but so far with this latest adjustment nothing has happened. Amazing! My teeth are still a bit sore, but it doesn't stop me from eating what I want to eat. I have some gingersnap cookies that are really hard. I just suck on them until they're a little soft in my mouth and then chew them!

Take care and have a great day!

2/7/12 Ow Ow Ow

Okay, it's really not that bad. My mouth is definitely sore today, mostly my teeth. I haven't had any problems chewing food, though had a soft breakfast and a somewhat soft lunch. Fish for dinner so it should be okay. It's more of an achy feeling in my teeth rather than it being a bad hurting feeling. I have one spot so far on the upper part of the right inside cheek that is sore from the bracket rubbing. It's not as bad as I thought it would be today. They did bend in the part that rubber bands would go on if I needed them so that it won't rub anymore. We'll see how it goes. It might be an Advil night.

Time to go check the garden for some greens for tonight's dinner. Take care and have a great day!

2/6/12 Orthodontist Appointment

Today was my appointment. I finally graduated to a bigger wire on the bottom. He made some adjustments and fixed some of the things that were causing the soreness on the inside of my cheeks and tongue. He told me that my teeth were doing a lot better for it only being 5 months since I got the braces on. I'm hoping that things continue going well. Maybe I'll get to have them taken off early! My next appointment is not until the 22nd of March. Things don't hurt right now. However, I'm sure that by tomorrow the inside of my mouth will begin to be chewed up and my teeth will get sore. I'll keep you posted!

Take care and have a great day!

2/4/12 Appointment is Monday

My next appointment is on Monday at 3:40. I'm hoping I can leave work a little early to be sure to be there on time. The orthodontists office is one of the few Doctors that I go to where you get seen on time most of the time. I'm hoping that day they'll be running behind. If I think I'm going to be late, I will call and let them know. I'm worried about what they'll do and how it will effect the inside of my mouth. Like I've said before, the teeth pain is nothing compared to how chewed up the inside of my mouth gets. I'm going to have them check the bands around the molars to see if the pieces have gotten bent some. My tongue seems to catch on them a lot more then they use to. I'm almost 5 months into having these braces, which means at least 22 more months! Sure hope I can last that long. I know it's to help save my teeth, but at 53, who knows how much longer my teeth will last, even without braces!!

Time to go do some chores, check the vegetable gardens, feed the chickens, etc... Take care and have a great day!

2/2/12 Getting Use to the Sandpaper Feel

I think I'm finally getting use to the inside of my mouth feeling like sandpaper. It's still weird and I don't like it. My tongue seems to gravitate to the areas that feel that way the most. It's just not natural. The top molar on the right side has been sore. I'm not sure if it's from other teeth moving and pushing it back or not. I've notice that there is definitely more space between my teeth then there has ever been in the past. It's a lot easier to get dental floss in between my teeth now. That excites me!

I better go and get dinner started. Take care and have a great day!

1/31/12 MRI's and Braces

My braces are doing pretty good today, little spots here and there that are sore but nothing terrible. I found out I have to have a MRI of my abdomen. They told me that I didn't have to have my braces removed. I was kind of hoping that I would have to. Just to be able to bite into an apple or eat corn on the cob or chicken off the bone. To eat caramel apples! Wow do I miss those things.

Hopefully the MRI will turn out good!

1/29/12 Better finally!

I guess I have to learn to be more patient with my braces. This last round of soreness from the inside of my cheeks seemed to go on and on and on. This morning, however, it is much better. A little soreness on the left, but not bad. I keep hearing about how much teeth pain that people have with braces and so far, I haven't had it except for my upper and lower front teeth. I'm sure they'll come a time when the back teeth will get sore later on in my treatment. The teeth pain lasts for a day or two after they adjust things and it goes away. For me it's the chewing up of the inside of my mouth that causes more pain.

I think I'm getting use to the foods I'm not suppose to eat. Notice I say not suppose to and not absolutely not eat. The only thing I won't try is chewing gum. I have TMJ and chewing gum just aggravates it. My husband made home made beef jerky which is one of the things I'm not suppose to eat. I find if I take small pieces of it and suck on it for a few minutes it's soft enough to eat without hurting my braces. Life is good!

Take care and have a great day!

1/27/12 Heard From Orthodontist/Soreness

I finally heard back from the orthodontist today about the text I sent him two days ago. He apologized for taking so long. It didn't matter to me, I knew he would text me back when he got the chance. He said I could come in this afternoon if I needed to. To tell you the truth, by this morning the inside of my mouth wasn't doing to bad, so I said I would see how it was on Monday. I do have an appointment on the 6th of February, which isn't to far away. I feel like teeth have shifted more than they had in the past. I'll know for sure then and will let you know.

I did see my doctor for my acid reflux. I didn't even mention the possibility that it was from braces. We had other things to talk about. I see him again in four weeks and will mention it to him then if the reflux isn't better.

Take care and have a great weekend!

1/25/12 Ow and More Ow

Today has been a rough day. I know I said that I would contact the orthodontist if this continued and I plan on doing so as soon as I'm done posting this. It use to be when my teeth moved, the inside of my mouth would be sore for a day and then it would go away. Not this time. I'm wondering if I've eaten something or done something to cause this to happen. It doesn't seem like it should be from just my teeth moving.

I took a knitting class yesterday and the talking all day probably didn't help my mouth soreness. Still, I have wax on a good part of the upper right braces. On the other hand, the knitting class was fantastic!

Take care and have a great day!

1/23/12 Soreness & Reflux

The inside of my cheek on the right side is better. I took the wax off earlier today, okay, it came off when I was having snack, and it hasn't been to bad since. The biggest issue I'm having is with the band on the right side feeling like it's pressed into the roof of my mouth. I guess I'll see if I can put up with it for a couple of more days and see what happens.

My reflux is better, but I'm still not convinced that my braces didn't have anything to do with my reflux. I've always had it, but never this bad. I do have a hiatal hernia which contributes to it. However, it got a lot worse within days of getting my braces. I thought at first maybe it was the stress of getting and having them. Then I thought it was because of the changes in my diet. Since both of those are pretty well gone, I'm still wondering. My husband said that maybe my stomach thinks of them as a foreign body or maybe it thinks of them as food and produces acid because of it. I don't know for sure but will check with my GI doctor when I go on Friday.

Time to relax and check facebook. I love how I can keep in touch with people that way. Tomorrow is my knitting class. Take care and have a great day!

1/22/12 OW!

I can't believe that the right side of my mouth is still sore. I even have some other places that are sore as well. The biggest issue right now is the band on the upper right molar. I have come to the conclusion that for some unknown reason to me I suck my tongue up to the roof of my mouth. This puts pressure on the band and the tooth and makes it feel like the band is cutting into the roof of my mouth. I know it isn't really, but it is definitely sore for some reason. Being that it is Sunday here, I won't bother my orthodontist. However, tomorrow I will probably send him a text or call the office. Yes, he actually gave me his cell phone number and is great about answering my texts.

Back to finish off the afghan I knitted. I need to cut and add the fringe. Take care and have a great day!

12/21/12 Chewed Up

For the third day in a row, the right side on the inside of my mouth is chewed up. I put wax on it last night so that it wouldn't hurt while I'm sleeping. This reminds me of when I first got the braces, how chewed up the inside of my mouth was. I have not had this happen since then. If it continues into next week, I will call the orthodontist to see if something moved that shouldn't have. It doesn't look like anything did, but you never know. I'm hoping it will go away soon.

I better go. We got a new freezer and I need to help my husband get it in the house and put back in the food that we took out of the other one. Have a great day!

1/19/12 Soreness & Retainer Info

My teeth are on the move again and I have some sore spots in my mouth, mostly on the upper right side. I'm trying to not use wax on it so that the callouses will build up.

Now for the retainer info. I finally decided that I didn't want to wait until my appointment next month to find out about what kind of retainer I would have when this is all over. I sent my orthodontist a text to find out. He sent one back saying I would not need a permanent retainer which is good. I told him that if he told me that I was going to have to have a permanent retainer that I would absolutely refuse! Good thing he told me that I wouldn't have one.

Time to go knit and relax. Take care and have a great day!

1/16/12 Not To Bad & Permanent Retainer

Sorry I haven't written lately, not much to write. Things still get sore and the inside of my mouth still feels like sandpaper. At least there hasn't been anymore canker sores. I'm surprised! I usually get them when my acid reflux is bad and so far I haven't. My next appointment is on Feb. 6th. I have to definitely remember to ask about what kind of retainer I will have after my braces come off. I think if they tell me a permanent one, I'm going to have them take the braces off right then and there. Okay, maybe I won't do that. I will tell them that there is no way that I will accept a permanent retainer. It will mean that I still can't bite into certain foods like carrots and apples. I'm 53 years old and don't want to never be able to bite into those and other foods again. It doesn't mean I can't eat them. Carrots, right now, have to be shredded for me to eat them. We grow our own and I really miss biting into them. Cutting up apples isn't so bad!

Have a great day!

Friday the 13th! Rougness & Dry Lips

Today being Friday the 13th, not a bad day considering all of the superstitious people here! I have noticed that my lips seem to get more chapped since I got braces. I'm not sure why. I don't know if it's because I hold my lips around my teeth a different way or maybe if I lick them more often. I use more chapstick, but it seems to help. The inside of my cheeks are all chewed up, but it doesn't really hurt. I don't know if I've finally gotten use to the braces and they rub the inside of my mouth or if my teeth are moving and I've built up enough callouses that it just doesn't bother me anymore. Oh well...

Take care and have a great weekend!