What happened, Where I went, Whats going on

Hello

Its been a wee while since I sat down and spoke to you all. To begin with, my teeth are doing fine, here are some photos:

 The quality isn't amazing as I have had to resort to using my iPhone 6 camera. As you can see they are a lot straighter than compared to previous photos which can be found in older posts. I went to my orthodontist recently on the 16th December and they put new wires on top and bottom. My top wire is a stainless steel wire and my bottom wire is still a Damon wire. I have two appointments in March, one to fit a seperator to go between two of my molars again and then another appointment to fit a band. They had fit a separator previously to try and put a band on one of my back teeth, however it really did not work as my tooth was too big for the band, so they are going to try a different tooth and try and recorrect my bite. I think if my bite wasn't the issue, then my braces would be off by now. Its because I have a serious crossbite that they are finding really difficult to sort out.

Here is another photo were you can see the bottom jaw a bit more. The front four teeth are still very crooked but they are definitely getting there. I'm happy with the results so far, but I just want to get them off now. Being 17 and having braces is really not fun.

Anyway, so now to where I have been. My last post was in September. Since then, I have been at school in my final year working my butt off to get finished in time because they want all year 13s out of school as soon as possible (preferably May which is so soon). I have had mocks, I've had tough deadlines, but I have just been more focused on that at the moment than anything else and also thinking of future careers that I would like to pursue seeing as I will need to find a job sooner rather than later. I hope you can understand. Another reason for my lack of blogging is because nothing exciting has been happening with my teeth, and my appointments are always 3 months apart, so I can't always find a topic to talk about. It's not easy to write about stuff when the blog is based around something that doesn't happen very often (if that makes sense). 

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and you all have an amazing New Year.

Bye Bye!

MASSIVE APOLOGY AND CATCH UP!!!!

Hi guys,

Well I've been gone for a while! Super sorry but lots of important milestones happened since the last time I blogged and this is the first time I've had free time! So here I am to fill you in.

August was a massive whirlwind. I was preparing for school and was working pretty much every weekend to try and get enough money together for my car that I need to buy when I pass. I was also out an awful lot getting things together for the holiday that I went on at the end of August. We went to Selsey again like we do every year and it was really really lovely. I want to do a blog post on it one day, so you can see what its all about because I have some lovely pictures to show you all and I think you'd like them.

September has just flown by. I began my final year at school on the 2nd September which was really early and since then, I've just been doing lots and lots of school work and trying to stay on top of deadlines and trying to not fall behind. Being in the final year means that I have had a lot of responsibilities, such as being a role model for the younger years and doing lots of different events such as open evenings at the school. I had two appointments with my orthodontist in September, one was to fit a little rubber band in between two of my molars so that they could fit a metal ring on, and the second appointment was where I was meant to get the metal ring fitted, however they couldn't get it on, so they replaced the wires and are thinking of a plan B. My next orthodontist appointment is just before Christmas.

This week has been particularly difficult after finding out this Monday that a boy I went to secondary school with had passed away. I've been doing a lot of thinking obviously about my life and have made a lot of drastic changes to make my life much better. I hope that he is in a happier place.

But anyway, the teeth are fine, I will 100% make sure that I do some recent photos for you next time so that you can see how they have changed, because its fine saying they've changed but its not fine giving you no proof through photos.

Bye guys

P.S: I will make sure that I blog more often because its not fair on you guys who want to read and see my progess :( I'm sorry just bare with me

Brace Face Tag

Hi guys,

I am going to do the brace face tag because I have braces and I feel as though this is appropriate. Also, I don't really have anything to talk about either. So here we go:

1. When did you get your braces on?

I got my top braces on the 20th October and my bottom braces on the 23rd June. 

2. How soon after could you feel pressure/aching?

Around a day after getting them on, I began to feel pressure. 

3. On a pain scale of 1-10 (1 being nothing and 10 being painful) how bad was the pain for you?

I would say a 5-6. 

4. What food did you eat when you first got braces?

Pasta, mash potato, anything that would melt in my mouth. 

5. How often do you get adjustments?

I visit my orthodontist every 3-4 months but I don't have adjustments everytime I go. 

6. Do you wear rubber bands?

I don't. 

7. How many times do you brush your teeth? Any tips to prevent the little white squares?

I brush my teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. To prevent the squares I would recommend not whitening your teeth while you have your braces on as when you get them off, the squares will be more prominent. I would also recommend just keeping care of your teeth and making sure that your oral hygiene is the best it can be and sticking to the same toothpaste you were using before your braces as different brands have different properties. 

8. How often do you get them tightened?

Every 3-4 months I get my braces tightened and new wires fitted. 

9. Did you get to pick colours?

I don't because my braces are Damon so they are not traditional and do not come with coloured ties. 

10. Did you need jaw surgery?

No however I did need retainer style braces which you can see in previous blog posts. 

11. Do you use wax?

When my wires are poking my gums I do but that's usually just after I get them tightened. 

12. How long did it take to put your braces on?

It took around 15-20 minutes for top and about 20 minutes for my bottom. 

13. Do you ever get that metal taste in your mouth?

No it's really weird because you think you would but you don't. 

14. How long do you have your braces on?

I have to have mine on I think for a year? But I'm not 100% because they've not told me a lot, if I'm thinking correct I should get them off around December 2015 or the start of 2016. But don't count me on that!

I hope this gave you an insight into what living with braces is like and answered any questions that you may have.

Bye guys

Bottom braces photos!

Hi guys,

Here are some long awaited bottom braces photos! These photos are from the day that I got my braces on which I believe was the 23rd June if I am correct. Here you are, I'm sorry for the poor quality but my camera has no batteries and I've not been able to go out and buy some new ones:

Here you are! As you can see, they are the exact same as my top braces in the aspect that they are Damon braces. They only really hurt for around 4 days and then they were fine after that. I do have massive ulcers though and large cuts in my mouth, however nothing that bonjela can't fix!

Bye guys,

Bottom braces day!

Hi guys,

First of all I'm going to do a seperate post for photos because my phone has no storage to take any photos on at the moment so I'm going to have to do some backing up. But I do have my bottom braces on and I did get a fresh wire on the top jaw. I knew that the bottom jaw was going to hurt more because I have really weak and sensitive teeth so I knew it was going to ache and hurt. And it does hurt but it's more uncomfortable and tender. But I am happy with them and I can't wait to get them all took off now.

I have two appointments in september. One to fit a seperator and one to fit the band. Basically I have a molar at the far back of my mouth and they couldn't get to it to put on the part of the brace that holds the wire. So when I go back, they want to put a separator in and then put a band on like you would typically have with standard, traditional braces. Also I guess during them appointments, new wires will be put on my teeth so that's also exciting. But photos will be coming soon, just bear with me because I know you are all eager to see them.

Bye guys

Update: Life, Ortho and Birthday!

Hi guys,

Life has got super busy. I might not be doing Year 13 so I've been having to make some huge decisions about what I am going to do. I've applied for an apprenticeship that I really want to do in childcare, so fingers crossed that comes through positive.

My orthodontist appointment is on Tuesday 23rd June and I am super excited because I am getting my bottom braces on. But I am going to be in so much pain because I'll have my bottom braces and a new wire on my top teeth. So I think next week is going to be painful. I will try my hardest to get some photos up, however the quality may not be as great because I will probably have to take them on my iPhone.

Its officially my birthday in 30days (20th July) and I am super excited for that! I cannot wait to be 17 and to start learning to drive! Not only will I be turning 17, but it will also mean that I will be one year away from the big 1-8 (if you don't know what this means, it means 18) and I have already got my 18th birthday all planned out and I am super super excited for that!

So yes, super exciting things are coming up, just bear with me and stick with me! I will be posting more I promise!

Bye guys

Late night long blog post...

Hi guys,

It's currently 11:38pm in the UK as I am posting this but I just wanted to address something which is a daily struggle and talk to you about something which I am considering making a separate blog post on as I think it could benefit a lot of people out there.

As a blogger, you don't typically know a lot about me and who I am and what I get up to, but I am now going to let you know some stuff about me. I am a 16 year old sixth former who is currently studying 4 a-levels which are travel and tourism, health and social care and ICT double and single with the goal of possibly going to university to become a midwife. I work at a race track within the catering and hospitality part of the track and earn £6 an hour which is relatively good pay for a 16 year old as I should only get minimum wage (which stands at around £2-£3 per hour).

But what most of you guys do not know apart from the basics is that I am a long an ongoing sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks. I have had a panic attack tonight and I do feel stupid for having it, but I feel like I've put myself first and I have chosen the right choice for me. I was meant to be working tomorrow, however because where I work at a race track, it means that I am typically all over the place and I am all around the track. And tomorrow I was scheduled to work somewhere that I had NEVER worked before. Now my anxiety and panic attacks are typically triggered when I am around new surroundings and when I am with people who I do not know. This is because I am new to the surroundings and I don't know where everything is and my mind feels as though I am in a threatening place. So obviously tonight, I have been crying and having tiny anxiety attacks and about half an hour ago, I had a full on panic attack.

This panic attack led me to the choice of texting my boss and doing the typical excuse of 'I'm ill' (which I generally am, so technically I am not lying) but I decided to put myself first and I decided that I would rather not earn £60 and not have an anxiety and panic attack, instead of earning £60 and probably getting into work and crying my eyes out and having about 2-3 anxiety and panic attacks. And I know that I am probably missing out as i would've probably been fine and the day would've been a good laugh, however I decided to put my state of mental health first and 'chicken out' as some of you may say.

This does put me in a sticky situation as it does mean that I will only get £50-£60 next month as I did work at the start of May, however it then means that I need to do at least 2-3 shifts in June in order to earn enough money. I am currently saving for my first car and I need to be earning at least £100 a month. I currently have around £175 in my bank so that's not too bad. But obviously me cancelling tomorrow is going to have a big impact on next months money towards the car.

I guess I do feel stupid for cancelling work tomorrow, however at the time I needed to put my mental health first and at the time I know it was the right thing to do and that it was the right thing for my state of mind. And if anyone says that it was the wrong thing to do, then they can shove it where the sun don't shine because I know I've done the right thing for me.

Which brings me onto the purpose of this post. I think I want to make a blog which is dedicated towards anxiety and panic attacks just so that I can help those out there who think that they suffer with what I do and a place where I can document how my anxiety has been and a place where I can answer typical anxiety based questions. I will probably make it tomorrow and end up doing a post on there, but when I have made it, I will give you a link so you can all go and check it out.

This was a long blog post wow! This is probably my longest one to date. Quick teeth update, they are looking fab, looking super straight, I am back at the orthodontist in June to get my bottoms on. Photos will be up soon.

Bye guys

Dentist Disaster..

Hi guys,

So I had the dentist on Monday with my brother. I was having a filling and fissure sealant and my brother was having an extraction and fissure sealant. My brother went first and me and my mum were in the room while he was having it done. The whole process for me was quite full on and when my brothers extraction and fissure sealant was over it was my turn. I asked my dentist if I could quickly stand outside for a minute cause I felt really faint and like I was going to chuck up. I left the room and had a full on panic attack. Now for me to talk about this is making me really anxious, but I feel like I need to tell you this. I only ended up getting half of my fissure sealant done and I have had to reschedule my filling and my other half of my fissure sealant, which is on the 12th May.

I do feel really stupid for not getting it done while I was there, but when my anxiety takes over, I don't have any control over my actions and everything gets louder and the smells get stronger, and the room starts spinning and when you reach that point, trust me there is nothing you want to do apart from go home and curl up into a ball and sleep.

I was absolutely fine once I was home and I had calmed down. I got home and just had an hour in my room watching videos on YouTube and scrolling through pinterest and twitter. I hope that this doesn't happen next time I go in May (it shouldn't do) but I will make sure that I am prepared for this appointment and that I do everything to prevent this.

Sorry for this long ramble and long post, but I feel like if I get this off my chest and let you all know what happens, then I will feel better and you guys will understand more about me.

Bye guys

Broken Bracket, Dentist Appointment and Photos

Hi guys,

So as some of you know, I had a broken bracket. Its all fixed now. I am going to post a photo for you guys to see what it looks like. As you can see it had completely come off the tooth and was preventing my teeth from moving the way it should do. However, it is all sorted now and I am back on track.

I have a dentist appointment coming up on the 13th April at 11:15am which is going to be a killer after work on Sunday all day. The appointment is for my fisser sealant and for a hole which needs filling on one of my molars on my top jaw. I will let you know how that goes afterwards.

I hope you are all having a lovely Easter and even if you don't celebrate it, then I hope that you are having a lovely day or evening whatever you are doing!

Bye Guys

 



 

Oopsie Daisy...

Hi guys,

Um, we have a slight issue. I have a broken bracket. I think it was broken while the orthodontist was closing the gates on my braces because I heard a crack but I just thought it was the door on the bracket closing.

I have an emergency appointment to get it repaired this up-coming Monday at 2:35pm. This was the earliest appointment they could do so I am grateful that they have given me the closest appointment possible. The tooth which it has broken away from is moving slightly which is kind of annoying as I don't want it to move, but as soon as I can get my bracket fixed, I am sure it will move back into the right place.

I will let you know how the emergency appointment goes, and maybe take some photos to show you what a broken bracket looks like. I would do it now, however it is 9pm in the UK and the lighting would not do the picture justice.

Bye guys

Orthodontist News

Hi guys,

So I had my appointment at my orthodontist today. All good news, I am getting my lower braces on the 23rd June. I know that seems like ages away but I am sure it will come around fast. My orthodontist said that my teeth were looking good, my molars were slightly displaced but he put a thicker wire in which should move my molars to the right place. The thicker wire is really taking a toll on my teeth and the pressure is super bad. But apart from that, the braces are clean and doing what they are meant to be doing.

Because my next appointment is not for a while and I have a lot of deadlines to meet at sixth form and also an exam at the start of May, I will be a little non-existent at times. I will try to get some more photos and post some tags so that you guys have some content to look at. I do want to do the Braces Tag so be prepared to see that soon.

Bye guys!

Photos: Progress!

Hey guys,

Here are some progress photos from the past 153 days of having braces so far!




20th October 2014
 




1st December 2014

22nd March 2015

B ye guys!

I'm back!

Hey guys

I am back! Sorry for being so non existent but I am back! My teeth are fine. I am back at the orthodontist on the 24th March and then my next dentist appointment is in April, I believe the 13th. This is where they will seal the hole in my tooth and do my fisser sealant.

I might start doing more blogs such as tips and tricks and telling you what I have learnt so far from having braces. I also want to do the Braces Tag, so look out for a tag blog coming up soon for you guys. There will also be some photos coming up when I get some batteries for my camera. I have lost the working batteries which I had in it, so I am going to have to get some more ones. I have also broke the little dial on the top of my camera, so I need to get that fixed soon.

Anyway, that is all. I will make sure that I will get some tag blogs prepared for you guys, so that you do have some content from me.

Bye guys

My busy life and Dentist Appt

Hi guys,

Life got really busy. I had a party to go to and it was really fun. There was a photo booth there, which was really fun. After that, it was the last week of school, so I had lots of deadlines to meet and lots of work to do.

My dentist appointment was eventful. I have a tiny hole in my top left molar. I also have to have to have a fisher sealant, as my enamel is poor. I believe I am back there in April at the start. Anyway, I am going to leave it here. Sorry I have been non existent, but I hope you understand that I have been slightly busy. Photos are coming soon

Bye guys

Teeth, School and Holidays

Hi guys,

My teeth are straightening nicely! My front four teeth are looking so much more straighter than usual which is good news. I cannot wait until the end of March to go back to the orthodontist and get my bottom braces.

School is really busy, but the pressure is good and I am enjoying it. We had our school photos yesterday and they went really good. Maybe I will post my school photo on my blog. I did not smile with my teeth because I do not feel comfortable with showing my teeth off just as yet.

I am hopefully going on holiday in 2016 with all of my girls at school. I am not sure when yet but it is early days as half of us have no jobs and half of us are driving and need money for a car.

Anyway, I am off and out,

Bye guys.

WHERE I'VE GONE (again)

Hi guys,

I AM SO SORRY. I have been ill for two weeks. I had primary dysmenorrhea for one week and for the next week I had severe bowel problems. I have been out of everything and not been 100%. I am back and much better now and I am ready to talk to you.

Good news! My front two teeth are straightening out nicely! They don't overlap as much as they used to which is good. I am at the dentist in the first week of February and then I am at the orthodontist in the last week of March. I am hoping the dentist goes good, because I don't like my dentist at all and I have been trying super hard to keep my oral hygiene in check.

Sixth form is getting stressful. Got lots of work to complete in a short space of time. Got some assessors coming into school to mark work in the second week of February. So if I don't blog for a while again, its because I am trying to get Distinctions and focus on the work in hand.

Anyway, I am going to go now, so hope you have a good weekend!

Bye guys

Day 84:(and a bit) Where I've been

Hi guys,

Where have I been?! Feel like I've been so non existent recently but school has been full on and I have been spending every evening working full stop. Next week I am not going to be able to post until Friday time. This is because I am helping out at a dance show on Monday and Tuesday and then I will be working on school work from Wednesday and Thursday.

Anyway, enough of the rambling. Teeth are doing fine. They are still moving slowly and they are definitely improving. I am not seeing much of a difference by I cannot wait until I can get them off and see the difference that has been made.

Anyway, I am going to go now so I shall be blogging next Friday.

Bye guys

Day 77(and a bit): New term, New Year and New Stuff

Hi guys,

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday, it completely slipped my mind. I started a new term in sixth form yesterday, and my mind was all over the place. I got a new timetable and I got some new units of work to start. So all systems go this month and next month.

It is a new year, so this means that there is new things happening and new goals to achieve. I hope this will be the year I get my braces off *crosses fingers tightly* but I'm not getting my hopes up because anything could happen. I cannot believe its nearly been 100 days with them on.

I don't really have a lot to say to be honest. My teeth are moving fine, school has upped its game and I can drive this year. See you next Monday!

Bye guys

All About My Damon Braces

Hi guys,

Happy New Year! Now I know its a Friday and I post on a Monday but I thought I would explain my Damon Braces to you as I don't have the standard regular braces.

On the right you can see traditional braces with the elastics and hooks and here on the left you can see Damon braces, which are the ones I have.

Damon braces are designed with gates which are on the front of the brackets. This allows the wires to glide easier and therefore move your teeth much faster and more efficiently. Also, people with Damon braces do not have to have teeth extracted or removed, as the rate in which the teeth move is much faster than the traditional braces. Another positive about these braces is that they are self ligating which means that they don't require 'o' ties or elastics as they are commonly known. Other advantages include:

• A more natural finish compared to the traditional braces
• You don't have to visit the orthodontist regularly
• The time you have them on is shorter than the traditional braces

Sorry for rambling, but I thought I would just clear this up for everyone who thought that my brackets looked a bit peculiar.

Bye guys,