15 January 2018

One Year Later: Braces Update

15 January 2018

One Year Later: Braces Update

So, it has been one year since I've got metal put on my teeth. This was something I've been wanting to do for so long, and when the opportunity presented itself, I took it.  I remember I literally went in for a consultation, then the next day I went back to set up a payment plan, and then made an appointment for the very next day to get the braces.

It all happened so fast.  I didn't start nursing yet, and so I was working a lot. My friends literally saw me one day without braces, and the next day with a full set of braces.  They were shocked, yet knew what sort of pain I was going through, and were great with advice.

So, what's new?


Firstly, I want to say that when I first got them, I genuinely thought my teeth were okay. I only wanted them to fix my overjet bite. However, looking back at my old post, I CLEARLY SEE A DIFFERENCE.

Second, my teeth are officially straight. A couple months ago, we took another panorama x-ray of my teeth and saw that my roots were parallel to one another, which was perfect. They all kept commenting that whoever placed my braces on my first appointment, did an amazing job. So, all that's left to do is wear them elastics, all day - every day. This is supposed to help the main reason I decided on braces -- the overjet.


Third, the only time my braces did become a problem was when a brace would come off loose causing the wire at the end to also come undone. It was actually annoying. Over the course of the past year, I believe I had to go back to the dentist to get the brace reglued and the wire put back in place over 4 times. I was never eating anything chewing or sticky or hard enough to cause the brace to fall off.  So, I hated when they asked me questions about what I was eating or tried to remind me what I can and cannot eat... It felt as if it was my fault or something.

However, on my most recent visit (just the other day because I had to go in and fix a loose brace... again), someone new was looking at my teeth and realized that I've been biting off my braces this entire time. Remember in my first post I mentioned getting these blue things on my molars? Well, they were no longer helping, and she decided to put these cushion rubber things on my molars to cushion my bite and to ultimately prevent me from biting off my braces... Let's see if this actually works!


Lastly, I do have to say that I have finally embraced my braces. When I first got my braces, I remember being so self-conscious every time I opened my mouth. I remember wearing more and more makeup, and I even got lash extensions.  When I am with a customer one-on-one at the jewelry counter at work, I felt I needed to distract everyone from looking at my teeth.

However, things are different now. I don't think twice when I talk to others. I used to do this thing where I would use my upper lip to hide my top set of teeth while I spoke. I also don't care about laughing with my teeth (and braces) showing.


I do have to admit, the one thing I'm still having trouble with is smiling in pictures. I haven't quite mastered that yet. When it comes to selfies, I smile without showing my teeth, which is actually hard because growing up, my mom always told me to show my teeth in pictures. So, it's like learning all over again how to look good in a picture, if that makes any sense.
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05 January 2018

My 2018 Goals

05 January 2018

My 2018 Goals

Happy New Year friends!

Can someone please explain to me how 2017 went by soooo fast? I feel like just yesterday I decided on my word of the year, and now here I am, trying to figure out how the heck I want to approach 2018.

I decided to come back this year instead of leaving my blog radio silent. In fact, I had this post ready for a few days now... Had to take a sick day from work to decide to come on here to actually publish it. But, this blog has been part of my life for so long, and I really wanted to give my blog a proper chance before parting ways. Besides, I did decide a few months ago that I was going to continue this for me. Even if the blogging-world has switched gears and went to a completely different directions... I just wanted this space for me.

So, with a new year beginning, why not set me some goals for myself. I know, it's such a cliche type of post, but hey, these were the types of posts I loved reading back when I first started my blog; therefore, these are the types of posts I will continue on my blog. Also, I just find that posting my goals makes me 100% accountable. And, this time around, I am more serious than I've ever been.


SCHOOL
  • Graduate with GPA > 4.0
  • Get into the Nursing Bridge Program 
  • Get my RPN liscence  
  • No more procrastinating 
FITNESS
  • Lose 10 lbs
  • Lose 20 lbs
  • Lose 30 lbs
  • Complete 28 Fit Girl Guide 
  • Drink 2L of water daily 
FINANCE
  • Complete a no spending challenge
  • Pay off credit card #1 
  • Save for Bridge Program 
  • Save for BSCN program 
  • SAVE in general 
PERSONAL
  • Smile more
  • Relax more
  • Get regular hours of sleep 
  • Be present 
  • Stay positive 
  • Get out of my comfort zone
EXTRA
  • Use my bullet journal all year round (more on this in future posts)
  • Blog as often as I can 
  • Find a new job 
  • Redo my hair... maybe
2018, let's do this! 

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