Our Mommy Just Got Braces

After ten years of waiting, I could barely believe it this morning when I realized it was actually the big day: Braces Day. I actually felt a little sad saying goodbye to my crooked teeth and realizing that I’d never see them the same way again.

But on to better things. After seeing my big kids off to school and taking the little ones to the babysitter, I headed to Harrington Orthodontics in St. Joseph, MI. I had seen several orthodontists for consultations last year when I decided to get braces, but I was most impressed with Dr. Harrington. His office is bright, modern, and up-to-date, and he and his staff are very friendly and reassuring. Of all the offices I’d gone, I felt most comfortable and at home at Harrington.

Since it’s been a while since I’d had my initial consultation, we took a few minutes to take new photos and a plaster mold of my teeth. Then it was time for getting the brackets on. I was more than a little nervous when I got in the chair. Was this going to hurt?

As it turned out, the process was a little uncomfortable but not painful at all. The hardest part was holding still while Dr. Harrington and his assistant applied the bond and then adhered each bracket to a tooth, one at a time. In order to keep my gums away from my teeth, they had to insert these crazy looking metal utensils in my mouth to keep my lips open wide. And they had to blow air on my teeth to keep them dry so the adhesive would work right. Finally, after sitting there with my mouth open and my lips pulled wide apart for what seemed like hours, the brackets were on! Then Dr. Harrington’s assistant threaded a thin metal wire through each bracket. Dr. Harrington explained that the Damon System is different from traditional braces because when I came back they would just replace the wire with a stronger wire—but they wouldn’t have to actually “tighten” the braces because there are no rubber bands. His assistant clamped the ends of the wire and ta-da—I had braces!

Looking in the mirror for the first time was surprising. Since the top front brackets were clear, the braces weren’t nearly as noticeable as I had thought they would be. Dr. Harrington advised me take Tylenol or Advil a few times a day for the first week. This would help me stay on top of any soreness from the brackets rubbing on my gums or my teeth shifting around. His assistant showed me how to brush and floss with the braces on and gave me a little packet of information, samples of special floss for people with braces, and mouthwash.

So far, I feel pretty good. My teeth are a little sore when I eat, but nothing like what I had expected from all the people who insisted on telling me their teenage horror stories. As Dr. Harrington explained, the Damon System doesn’t put as much pressure on the teeth as the old braces most people remember. Instead of tightening bands that pull on the teeth, Damon uses a unique slide system that is a lot gentler and more comfortable.

I do feel a little weird. My mouth feels different with braces and I seem to have developed a bit of a lisp. I’m sure that will go away as I get used to talking with braces in my mouth. And it’s definitely worth it when I think about the straight teeth I’ll have soon!

My son Owen, who just turned five, is a little freaked out by my new teeth. But the rest of my kids haven’t even noticed yet. At first I was sure that everyone in the world would be staring at my mouth, but as it turns out they aren’t very noticeable at all. I’ve actually had to tell a few people that I finally got my braces on!

I’m so excited that I’m finally on my way to straighter teeth and a healthier, prettier smile.
Can’t you tell?