Brace update #4

It’s been quite a while since I shared an update on my brace with you so I thought that today, I’d do just that! It’s been 8 months since I had my brace on and the change to my teeth has been incredible! I know a lot of people were really interested in the profess and having a brace in general so I hope that the pictures below won’t gross you out too much! You can read my previous posts on my brace here and here.  So, last Monday was my third tightening session and if anything, the most comfortable one too! If you’ve had a brace, you’ll know how painful the tightenings can be, especially the days after but during the appointment, it wasn’t so bad. Maybe I’m getting used to it? The following few days weren’t so pleasant though. I struggled to chew for 3 days after (although they’re fine now and I’m back to eating normally) but this is a sign that my teeth are moving so it’s kind of a spur to carry on with the treatment.  The tightening sessions last for about 30 minutes, the orthodontist takes out the wires and then fits another. It’s quite complicated to explain but imagine a wire joining all your teeth together and twisting it together tight on the front two teeth. Yeah, ouch. For the time being, I also have a roof plate in to help my bite come forward and by the time I have my next appointment, it should have improved and I can take it out! This is what’s been causing me to talk funny so I’m pretty happy about it being removed.  I still struggle with getting food in my teeth (yuk) and brushing them doesn’t seem to help either so when I have my normal dentist appointment towards the end of the year, I’m going to ask if he can give them a little clean just to spruce them up a little! They do recommend not to get your teeth whitened straight after having a brace but I will definitely be looking into it, just so I can truly have the perfect set of pearly whites! 

 Bottom picture is before brace, Top right is my first fitting, Top left is current.

You can see how much my teeth have shifted, all over my mouth and not just the front teeth. Where I had the 4 extractions, the gaps are closing really well and my top row are super straight already. My bottom teeth have now straightened and don’t overlap whatsoever and my whole mouth just looks better in general rather than having teeth overlapping, crossing and sticking out everywhere!  Like I said, it’s only been 8 months and I’m due to have this on for another 14 months yet (maybe longer) so I can’t wait to see the end results! If you’re thinking about having a brace, I really do recommend it. You may regret it to start with as the pain, loosing the ability to eat and the self consciousness that comes with it may take over but I do promise, it gets better! Talk to your dentist if you’re thinking of having a brace first as you may be able to get it on the NHS.