Say Cheese

Today I started phase two of my orthodontia work. About 18 months ago I was advised to either get braces or prepare for dentures. I have a bite that was wearing down my bottom teeth and several professionals in the field of dentistry shared the stark opinion that I would lose my bottom teeth in my early forties if the crooked bite remained.

Just two months after clear braces aligned my top teeth I discovered I was pregnant with Zayden and developed a curtailed threshold for dental work. Brushing my own teeth triggered my gag reflex and I wasn't about to chance the consequences of someone's latex-gloved hand in my mouth. Knowing that I postponed my dental work until our bundle in blue was brought home.

However, soon after Z-man was born we learned that we would be moving across the country to South Carolina. There was little point in continuing my orthodontia work in Corpus Christi, and truth-be known, I was unhappy with my orthodontist.

After living in our home for six-months it was time for me to stop delaying the inevitable. Today my bottom braces became a semi-permanent fixture of my smile. I'm very pleased with my new orthodontist and his team, and so far, my bottom braces are not causing me as much grief as the top. One year from now I should have a new smile without having to get new teeth. That's something to...err...smile about. I'll save the details of possible jaw surgery for another post.

Upon returning home with my new silver smile and a complementary yellow balloon I asked Xylie to divulge her opinion of my bottom braces. She looked at my teeth and said "Oh. They're fine. Gasp....Is that balloon for me?" I smiled again, shook my head, and thought that's actually the reaction I needed.