Weekly Progress & First visible progress

September 13, 2011
12 weeks into treatment

So I've finally had my "AHA!" moment. When I first started my braces my left lateral incisor was one of three teeth located too far back to be attached to the archwire so those three just hung out in my mouth with the brackets on but not linked up to anything. Just chilling and being crooked and bleh.

Yesterday I went for my monthly visit to my orthodontist. She did the usual, change my ligatures, changed my elastic chains, clip the extra archwire behind my molar bands. And there was the usual level of discomfort regardless of the fact that I took an Advil beforehand. Then she did something new. My second premolars on top were bracketed and attached to the wire... AS WELL AS THAT FAR AWAY LEFT LATERAL INCISOR! This is the day that I truly realize that YES my teeth ARE moving! I look at myself everyday in the mirror and I see no change but looking at my past pictures, particularly the extraction pictures and I'm seeing a very noticeable difference! And now that I see it I wonder how I could possibly miss it all this time!

I mean I am SO excited about this revelation that I had to immediately tell someone. I can't wait for the other two faraway teeth to be attached to the wire. I was just wondering if I was wasting my time because there was no sign of progress but I'm one step closer to straight teeth and this is just the bit of good news I'd been waiting for.

It's slow going but progress is progress.

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Progress With Foods

So there seems to be some good news regarding the foods I am allowed to eat. The big rule is that I am to avoid anything hard sticky or tacky. However today I've discovered that I can eat potato chips (one at a time and carefully), cookies (if soft baked) and milk chocolate (if I let it melt in my mouth and then just swallow it). This is WONDERFUL news because I can not tell you how much I've missed junk food.

Only on Sunday I had McDonald's for the first time. It was a fish fillet but still progress is progress. I am so happy that I can have normal foods again. I'm two months one week and four days into my treatment and the pain comes and goes at odd intervals. Sometimes one tooth aches, another time a different tooth aches. Sometimes nothing aches and I can deal with it all. The days that everything hurts and I can't eat I survive on Ensure drinks. The vanilla and chocolate flavors are the best!

I'm told that the first three months are the most terrible and after that it's easy sailing. I really hope that it is the case with me as well.

I haven't posted a pic in a while because I've been a bit busy with work and getting ready for school but I will soon. My next adjustment is on September 13th, so it'll definitely be up by then.

Have a happy Thursday, readers! The weekend is almost here! Hooray!