Braces...Scary or nah?

Hi guys, it's Madison with another blog post! I'm going to give you the scoop of getting my braces on. I was really excited to get them on. I got to pick out heart-shaped brackets called Wild Smiles. I laid back in the chair and the doctor (Dad) got to work. First, he tried out different rings (bands) to go on all 4 of my molars. It took a while, but he finally found ones that fit:) Next, he applied the glue on the 7 teeth that were getting braces.  Next, he put on the heart-shaped brackets. He put this thing (lip retractors) in my mouth so my tongue or anything else wouldn't get in the way. Then he trimmed the wire and aligned it across my brackets. Then he tightened the wire, which only made me cringe a little bit. Then he did the other side, adjusting the wire, then twisting and turning. When I was done, I couldn't wait to see myself! I looked pretty great! Here's a pic of me.

    

                      

                     

                                  A closeup of the heart-shaped brackets with pink and aqua elastic ties

This is a lip retractor

Right after, nothing hurt and I was surprised. Later that day, I was sore. My teeth were hurting because they couldn't wait to move! I took some ibuprofen and it helped a little. It was especially hard eating. My teeth would be really sore. I don't really mind not being able to chew gum or jawbreakers or whatever because I don't really eat that stuff. Later in the week and the weeks to follow, the soreness slowly went away. I didn't feel anything. Every month, I go to get them "tightened". I've had my braces "tightened" once so far. Again soreness for like a day. Well, if you're getting braces, don't be worried, and you know where to go;)

Bonding day!

Finally...we have put this off long enough!  Madison had her braces put on a week ago, Sunday!  Yes, Sunday, because that's what happens when your Dad is your orthodontist.  Madison had 3 band performances the week before, and although the braces would likely have little affect on it, Darren decided it was best to ease her anxiety and wait until those were over.  He is a smart guy...there's a good chance I wouldn't have thought about that.  But it has been about 6 weeks since her extractions so it was time to get a move on!

   The before shot..

.

Her teeth have shifted a bit since the extractions, just from having the extra room.  Darren calls it "drifto-dontics."  The body really is an amazing thing.  Normally, orthodontists put in spacers a week before banding (putting the metal bands around the molars) but this wasn't necessary since she had teeth removed.  So, bands were fitted and cemented, and they were on their way!  Brayden and I headed outside to pull some weeds (because that's what a wife of an orthodontist does when you own your own business).   I'm sure Madison didn't really want little bro hanging around during the process anyway.

I checked on her off and on during the bonding process (placing the brackets on the teeth and 'curing' them with a special light). She was doing great!  The worst part for her was probably the lip retractors, stretching the lips away from the teeth to keep them nice and dry.  I took a pic, but was told I CANNOT PUT IT ON FACEBOOK OR THE BLOG! Sorry...it's a great pic though!   

After about 30 minutes, give or take, as I was not actually keeping track, all the brackets were on and it was time to put the arch wire in.  Then came the best part for every kid...picking the colors for the elastic ties that go around each bracket!  She chose to alternate pink and aqua...awesome combo. With that, she was done!  We were given a bag of goodies (special flossers, toothpaste, wax) and instructions for how to keep your braces clean.  She also got a fancy shmancy electric toothbrush, which will make brushing her teeth a breeze! And let me tell you, this is the iPhone of toothbrushes!  

After a stop at Starbucks for a frappe (the tween girls' favorite drink stop, just ask Instagram...), we headed home.  She started to feel some soreness a couple of hours later, so I gave her some Tylenol.  Dinner was a little difficult and she mostly stuck to pasta salad and the toppings off the flatbread pizza I made.   

Bedtime came and it was time to pull out the brushing instructions...glad I had them, since we didn't get the +20 minute cleaning instructions from Shannon (one of our wonderful dental assistants) as is normally done at the office on bonding day!  We got the proxy brush out to clean under the wires and between brackets. Would have been more helpful to use the brush holder I did not know about until after-the-fact!  Oh well, you learn from your mistakes, right?!  The electric toothbrush had to charge up so we just used her regular toothbrush...but can't wait to see this awesome toothbrush in action!  

    The after shots...are we having too much fun? Nah!

    Madison and her favorite orthodontist!