Braces

Having gotten braces for approximately 10 months now, I decided to dedicate a post to all the brace-faces out there!

I've actually wanted braces ever since I was 14. My main concern was that my upper jaw was protruding out of my mouth, and I had a deficient lower jaw. This meant that whenever I smile, I can never keep my upper row of teeth in my mouth; and it made me look like a wannabe rabbit .-. This was why I was afraid to appear in cameras for the longest time. Besides, I could never smile naturally, which made the ordeal so much more difficult. If you ever wonder why I don't smile in my old photos: this is why.

My mom never approved of me getting braces in the beginning. Her main concern was that I would have to extract my teeth, and the end result would make my upper lips look limp (one of the dentists that I asked for advice from told me this). Like a chunk of flabby skin. I have to admit, I was also afraid of this in the beginning.

The topic died down for awhile until one day, my dad decided to bring me to one of his favorite dentists: Dr Rachel, to get my teeth checked out. My dad was pretty okay with the idea of me getting braces. After expressing my concerns to Dr Rachel, she gave both me and my dad a really comprehensive explanation on the different types of braces that they offer, the price ranges and also the duration of wear. Dr Rachel was the first dentist to understand my concerns T.T She encouraged me to go home and really think about it beforehand, but I was already sure that I wanted braces anyway.

A week later, my mom brought me to the dentist again to (finally) put on my braces. Dr Rachel first took an X-Ray of my mouth, and then fitted a gooey substance that smelled like chewing gum (but tasted awful) into my mouth to get a plaster model of my teeth. After all that was done, the fitting took place. It was actually much faster than I expected!

About a day after, I could already start to feel my teeth moving. It was so difficult to eat! Dr Rachel mentioned that when she had her braces done, she finally realized the difference between mashed potatoes and tofu. She found it difficult to even chew tofu that she had to resort to eating mashed potatoes for a week. As for me, I went for porridge.

I'd have to wear my braces for another 2 years, and get 3 teeth extracted along the way. Some people cringe at the thought. I remember right after I got my first tooth extracted, I went straight into physics class with a piece of gauze drenched in blood in my mouth. The whole experience was hilarious!

My experience of getting braces was a pleasant one. For those of you out there wanting to get braces but are afraid of what comes after, here are a few common misconceptions that some people have about braces.


1. It will always hurt after your monthly appointments

It really depends on your dentist! Dr Rachel was kind enough to do each of the extractions and the fitting on different dates to give my teeth some time to get used to the braces. So, for me, it only hurt the first time, but the consecutive appointments were painless, and rather pleasant (cause I get to change colors!)

2. You will always get ulcers

That really depends on how well you take care of your oral health. Throughout the duration of 10 months that I've had my braces, I've only had ulcers once, and that was because I didn't drink enough water. Stay hydrated, and always keep your mouth clean and healthy to maximize your overall experience.

3. It becomes very difficult to eat

It's only difficult to eat in the beginning when your teeth are starting to realign, but after that it becomes easier. You get used to the overall experience of having a metal bracket sitting on your teeth, that you no longer notice it when you eat anymore. Although there are some foods that you can no longer eat, for example: whole apples, (you can still eat apples, but just not whole), it's a matter of taking care of your braces, and being disciplined while you complete your treatment.

These are just a few. If you have any concerns about getting braces, go and speak to your local dentist to get to know more.

To all those out there who have had experience with braces, do share your thoughts in the comments below!