My Braces Journey 2016: My Braces Journey 2016-2018

To Be Continued...

Since we moved here in Alaska, It randomly coming across my mind about pursuing to have a brace. We got so busy from the moving and the baby coming as well.I searched over the internet and found out that Dental and Medical here are way expensive than lower 48.

So one day, while hubby and I were doing the usual weekend errands, It popped out on my Facebook feeds about a contest from Dr. Luff Orthodontics. It's an essay type contest, which I am not good at it and I am not confident with it as well. So, I said " nah!" but I clicked and it on my phone and start typing . So I forgot about it until I received a phone call from their clinic that I won! I'm the 2nd Place winner, and my prize? $2,000 worth of orthodontics treatment + $100 gift card from Sullivan Stake. I was like jumping for so much joy and got super excited. This is it!

So, I went to see them for evaluation , same scenarios as before, 3-D X-rays, Mug Shots, and tons of pictures of my mouth.

The pictures above shows where needs to work hard on.

After the evaluation, we went over the details of the treatment and payment. So I ended up having $2500 discount ($2000 -contest $500-Military Discount).

It took me over a year before I finally decided to push through my brace. Where can you get free money anywhere else?

July 19, 2016- I scheduled my appointment to meet up again with my Orthodontist. They took another set of pictures and x-rays because the last time was over a year ago. They molded my lower teeth for my retainer to improved my bite that I need to wear as always as possible except when eating. My next visit will be the day I had been waiting for in my life! They will put on my braces on top.

July 22, 2016- I got my brace on top! and a clear retainer at the bottom. Next follow up will be 8 weeks from today to adjust my brace.

COLOR: TEAL

1ST WEEK JULY 22-29, 2016

It went well, a little sore and pain. I went back to see them on the 3rd day, my wire at the very back on my left breaks . They trimmed it because it poking me and they decided to leave it alone.

DENTAL REGIMEN:

For now, since I am adjusting with normal dental routine versus now with braces, I usually spending a little longer than usual. Having brace is a commitment especially if you're not young anymore. You are more motivated, involved and worried that everything will be a waste if you are going to be a one stubborn patient . You always wanting to have a successful results and concern about the money that you invest with the treatment. My Orthodontist gave a brace care kit which is awesome!!

Included: Braces floss of different kind, Bluetooth electric toothbrush, waxes, toothpaste, soft bristle toothbrush, retainer box and a mouth wash , oopps! and a water bottle

They usually giving you different types of cleaning stuff that you can try on and later decide which one is best for you. Below pictures were my favorites!!!

I uses the electric toothbrush for my lower teeth since I do not have the brace yet. Then on my top, I use the soft bristle.

So, I uses different types of flosses, the teal/white is an electric floss/picker , I use it If I want to have my gums a little massage. Next, I use the Inter-dental floss to go under the wires/brackets that toothbrush can't reach, but it is not recommended for flossing In my opinion because it only goes between the space of the teeth and not the gums. Then, I also use regular floss for my lower teeth since I don't have my braces yet. My favorite floss of all is the Oral-B super floss, It has a string tat will loop on your braces and a soft spongy cloth that cleans your teeth well.

I also use this dental kit to maintain a healthy oral hygiene. I occasionally use wax if I feel that my bracket is poking me.

This is my work kit ,I always carry everywhere. I have wax, mouthwash, regular floss, Ora-B super floss, toothpaste/brush and in case of emergency mouth sore - Anbesol.

I am still thinking to buy a water pick, but I found it super expensive. For now, as long as I rinse and brush my mouth every after meal, I'll be fine.

2ND WEEK: JULY 30- AUGUST 5, 2016

Been an uncomfortable week, I had a tiny mouth sore but I feel like my whole mouth hurts. Brackets poking me, my mouth feels dry. Been a messy week!

3RD WEEK: AUGUST 6-12, 2016

I had my regular Dental appointment today for my 6 month cleaning. I've noticed that one of bracket came off and scheduled an emergency appointment with my Orthodontist. They took wire off and re-attached the bracket and change a new wire. I also had a chance to change my rubbers today. I feel so much better .

COLOR: PINK

4TH WEEK: AUGUST 13-19, 2016 (ONE MONTH)

Hmmmm, what happen this week? I am getting used to it, brushing, eating with braces. My only concern is at night, I feel like my braces going to break because of my bite plus I think I grind when I'm asleep :( This week is a good week, no mouth sore, I can almost eat normal foods. Of course except the sticky , hard, and crispy ones. Just a little poking on my left end bracket but I put a wax at night.

5TH WEEK: AUGUST 20-26, 2016

I am getting to the habit of having my brace on, but sometimes I feel tired of night time toothbrush lol! with all of these she bang. It was Quick one month already.

6TH WEEK: AUGUST 27- SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

Getting more confident with my smile even though I am not seeing much changes with my teeth yet. Wires still bothers me poking my mouth, good thing I bought some waxes. I will request more waxes on my next visit.

7TH WEEK: SEPTEMBER 3-10, 2016

I cannot wait for my 8th weeks appointment for my adjustment. I am kind of worried about what my Orthodontist plan with my lower teeth, I had been wearing this Invasalign and anxious if they will go ahead and brace my lower. I needs to trust Luff Ortho. Next week is the day!

THIS IS A GOOD TIMELINE PICTURE OF MY PROGRESS FROM WEEK 1 TO WEEK 7

SEE COLLAGE BELOW!!!

8TH WEEK SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2016

Got my upper teeth adjusted today. Sadly that they are extending my Invasalign for another 8 weeks since my bite didn't improved as expected. My Ortho says that I have great improvement in terms of movement of my teeth.

MY CHOSEN COLOR: PURPLE!!!

9TH WEEK SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2016

Almost 2 months with Brace and I am loving it. Tooth brushing became a regular stuff for me and I can almost eat every single food I want but with cautious of course. Way to go!

10TH WEEK SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 1, 2016

I just loved my smile!!!Day by day I am getting more confident.

11TH WEEK OCTOBER 2-8, 2016
This is where it all started. I had been dreaming to have my teeth get straight but financial is a big hindrance. Here it is!

12TH WEEK OCTOBER 9-15, 2016

My 3rd Month with Brace.

I am not going to lie but I had been bad not wearing my Invasalign especially when I'm at work. It is really hard for me to talk wearing those. But I usually wear them at night consistently.

Look at my cutie daughter Laura!

13TH WEEK OCTOBER 16-23

Lucky 13th week for me!!!

BAD NEWS!!! O
ne of our patient stole my phone and got all my supposed to be timeline for my braces blog. I will just used whatever left lol! Might be skipping weekly blog yet will do monthly instead . It will save my time as well.

NOVEMBER 2016 ( 4TH MONTH)
November 11- My lower brace was put on. Its not as worst during my upper teeth because you know what are you expecting. The difference is; it is more thicker feeling. Mouth sore is very minimal. Tooth-brushing is more challenging now. Getting lazy sometimes.

DECEMBER 2016 (5TH MONTH)
It is really challenging part of the year! Invitation left and right, occasion here and there, and eating food way too much your mouth can handle. You know what I am talking about right? Having braces and pigging out is really challenging. How to keep your mouth from all the food debris lol!

January 2017
Finally my lower brace had already placed. I thought since so had my top brace it would be super easy for me to adjust but I am wrong . It's kind of different feeling over it. It is super tight and very painful that I can't even chew food.