Things didn't quite go to plan...

Hello guys,

So the last time I updated you, I think I had a bottom retainer but no top retainer because they couldn't get it in. I went back to my next appointment and they managed to get the top retainer in, however the retainer then split in my mouth and they had to make another top retainer. They still gave me the broken one to wear, because they could tell that my top teeth were moving at a fast rate, so they sent me on my way with the broken top retainer and they would contact me when it was ready.

Fast toward to the following Tuesday, and I got a phone call saying that my retainers were ready, however, between the last appointment and that phone call, I had contracted not one but two coldsores! My orthodontist don't treat patients with coldsores, so I had to wait even longer to get my top retainers. A week later, and I phoned the orthodontist and went in pretty much 2 days later and got my top retainers. I got my top retainer on the 15th February so I've had them for just over 1 week now. But I can finally show you some pictures of my retainers.

Top and Bottom:

TOP RETAINERS

BOTTOM RETAINERS

Bottom Retainers but no top?!

Hello,

So today was the day I got my retainers, or shall I say retainer. I only got my bottom retainer today because they tried to get my top retainer in and it just wouldn’t go in, so I have to go back on Saturday at 10:05am to get my top retainers. They had to do another impression for my top teeth which was actually a lot smoother than the impression they did on Tuesday. I was really looking forward to showing you them in all their glory but I am going to save it for Saturday, because I want to keep you all in suspense.

So I shall see you all on Saturday for a post about retainers!

Bye guys

No braces! Before and After pictures!

Hello guys,

Really wanted to update you yesterday but I literally got in from the orthodontist and went straight out to a work gathering so did not find the time to talk to you all about it! But I got my braces off!

Before:

 So if we take it right back to old school teeth, where I hadn't begun treatment at all, I didn't know that I was about to embark on 4 and a half years of treatment, involving twin blocks, expanders and the actual braces themselves. I had a cross bite, an overbite and overjet. My jaw didnt align which you can really see in this image as my chin is not in line with anything, and my teeth were just so crooked and wonky. I had two snaggle tooth, and a lot of overcrowding from the sheer amount of teeth I had. I remember when I was ten, and I used to try and make my own braces out of paperclips because I wanted straight teeth so bad.

After:

And here they are (P.S: yes this is my absolute favourite snapchat filter and I will still continue to use this when I am old and wrinkly)! 4 and a half years and my teeth are straight! I have been waiting for this day for what feels like forever and yesterday my dream finally came true and my braces came off! My teeth now align in the middle, which means that I no longer have a wonky chin (which you can't really see with the filter but I will be uploading some proper images so you will be able to see this a lot better) and my overbite has completely gone which you can see in comparison to the top photo where you can't even see my bottom teeth at all! I also have no crossing over of the front teeth and no more snaggle tooth! My snaggle teeth were the two teeth that sit either side of my two front teeth and as you are able to see, they are nice and straight and in the correct position! I cannot tell you in words how amazing it feels and how happy I am with them. I am forever thankful for all the staff and orthodontists at my orthodontist who have gone above and beyond to make me a happy and confident woman!

So I feel like its only right that I talk to you about the process, for those who are getting their braces off soon, or those who are just interested. So, the first thing they do is double check that they are okay to come off and then they take the brackets off from the teeth. This is just a bit of pressure on your teeth, so don't be concerned. A couple of my brackets didn't want to come off, so there was a lot of pressure with them teeth, but nothing that was painful or uncomfortable. The next step was to grind off the glue. This felt like forever, and was quite uncomfortable, not painful, but the noise isn't the nicest and it's so loud that even singing in your head doesn't even silence the sound. But once the glue is gone, your teeth feel so smooth and silky. 

Then it was time for impressions. This is that putty mould stuff that they put in your mouth to get an impression of your teeth for retainers. This is fine, but my gag reflex has got worse since I had it done 4 and a half years ago, so the top impressions were not fun and I did think I was going to throw up but over and done with in 2 minutes. Then I had photos done and that was it! So I have to go back tomorrow to get my retainers, I can already feel that my teeth have settled and moved slightly, so I feel like they could be quite tender and sore, but nothing too extreme. I'm sure it will be the same tenderness like when you get your braces tightened. 

I will update you all tomorrow on how that goes and more photos of my retainers!

Bye guys,

New Year, New Teeth! 7 days to go!

Hello guys,

First of, happy 2018! I hope this year brings you love, happiness and prosperity. So, I had an orthodontist appointment today at 9:50am. Prior to this appointment, I had one just before christmas and the new year, which was just a check up, I got new power bands, and the opportunity to have my bottom braces off, which I declined as I would prefer for them to both come off together. Fast forward to the new year and the next appointment which was todays appointment.

She checked my teeth, and all is well, I had a major chip in my teeth, which was so horrible (If you go back through some older blogs from 2013-2014, I am sure there are some photos that you can see the chip on. It was huge, but they filed that down for me today so I no longer have a chip in my front teeth. In 7 days time, on the 30th January, at 2:45pm, I will be braceless for the first time in 3 years and 3 months. I then also have an appointment next Thursday at 12:15pm to get retainers, which I am excited about also, I dont want my teeth moving anywhere!

I cannot believe the day is finally here, the day I have been waiting for when I first begun treatment all them years ago. My full time with braces and my removable appliances has been 4 years, 4 months, which in days equates to 1,590 days. With just my braces alone its been 3 years, 3 months, which equates to 1,191 days. Way too long if you ask me!

If you are out there and you have started treatment similar to mine where you have removable appliances or braces, trust me it gets better. They will come off and when they do or when you get that appointment to have them removed its the best feeling ever. I've cried about 3 times today all because I am getting them off. I cannot wait to show you all before and after pictures next week of my teeth THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK INSANE!

Keep your eyes peeled everyone. Its been a long ride but we are finally there.

Bye guys

Where did I go?!

Hello,

I have been so busy and feel like I’ve completely neglected this blog. I got a new job, I’ve worked so many shifts, I’ve been on holiday, I’ve been the busiest I’ve ever been. I went to Tenerife last month in September for a week with my boyfriend and had the bestest time. I did so much and then I got back and have worked almost everyday. I was meant to have an orthodontist appointment in August but because of how busy I have been I had to cancel the appointment and rebook. The earliest appointment that was available was today so I made sure I booked it off to go.

I did have elastics from my top to bottom teeth and then all the way to the back of my teeth, in a triangle but I don’t have to wear them anymore (thank the lord) but I have been given a new top wire and clear power bands. Now this is my first experience with them and I hate them, they are so painful and sore, I can’t even feel myself touching my face. But all good news! My bottom teeth are ready to come off, they are waiting for two of my teeth at the front to stop flaring out (hence the power bands and new wire)..

My next appointment is on the 28th November (which I’ve also booked off work) and if the two teeth have stopped flaring out and have come back down to earth, then they will take them off! Honestly from the bottom of my heart, I cannot tell you how amazing it was to hear them words. I’ve waited such a long time for this moment and after 4-5 years of treatment, I am very ready for this moment. So fingers crossed they should be off end of this year, start of next year *crosses fingers and toes tightly*

Nearly there guys! So nearly there!

Bye!

Close to the end now!

Hello guys,

Wow we are in June where did that go? I am so sorry for not updating this blog just nothing major has been happening really with my teeth. I had an appointment today and it's all such good news but feel like I need to start at my last appointment which was in April. In that appointment I got the strongest wires on both the top and the bottom so thats exciting and my wires have hooks on them by my 4 canines. These are for elastic bands. So in April I got Ferret bands. These are to go from my top left canine to my bottom right canine and move my bottom jaw left more. I only wear them at night.

Today, they examined my teeth and didn't change the wires as there was no point and they are in good enough condition to leave for another 6 weeks. The only thing they have done is give me more elastic bands as the teeth on my left side meet but my right side doesn't so I now have Eagle bands which I wear on the top and bottom hooks on my right canines and then it connects to my back bottom molar. I hope this all makes sense but I will try to get some photos uploaded for you to see.

So my next appointment is in August and if the elastics have done their job then there will be no more elastics. I will get my wires replaced with a fresh pair of strong wires and they want to sort out my "snuggle" teeth as they are flaring outwards instead of straight down. My orthodontist is just doing aesthetics so if there is anything I'm not happy with I need to let her know so it can be sorted. If I'm honest I'm happy as they are but I understand that my bite needs to be corrected and my snaggle teeth need to not flare out. I really can see the finishing line so fingers crossed (and toes) this year I will get my braces off.

See you soon!

Up to Date Photos

Hello!

Finally managed to get around to taking up to date photos of my teeth for you all to see! It has been a long time but I have finally managed to get some free time and post these photos for you before my orthodontist appointment again tomorrow. So, without further ado, here are some photos.

 Here is a picture of my teeth when I smile, which I really don't do often. As you may be able to see, my teeth still do not align in the middle however this does not bother me. My teeth are the straightest they have ever been and I honestly just want them off now. I am so happy with how they look and feel and I am ready to have them off more than ever.

 These two photos show you an all around perspective of the whole mouth, front and back. You can really see how straight they are. I got this mouthguard thing from a board game that went viral over the Christmas period, commonly known as Say it, Don't Spray it. You can see my gums are slightly red and bloody but my gums have always been sensitive. I also like to do a deep clean the night before the orthodontist therefore my teeth and gums especially are sore. These photos really allow you to see the full extent of my teeth and how straight they really are. I don't know if you can remember, but my teeth before were awful, overbite, overjets, crossbites. I feel like my teeth have come a long way from the start. The second photo also allows you to see a lot clearer about my front teeth not meeting in the middle, This again, does not bother me at all, I am just happy with how straigh they are and feel.

 This is a photo of my top jaw. I know my teeth are not the cleanest but that is due to many complications that I had when I was little aside absyss and infections but thats for another day. You can really see how straight my teeth are and how straight the wires are. The grey tooth is a filling that I had just before my 18th birthday but we can just ignore that.


This final photo shows my bottom jaw. Again my teeth are not the cleanest but we can ignore that. You can also see how straight the wire is on the bottom jaw which is incredible seeing as I've had my bottom braces on for less time than my top braces.

So yes, here are some photos of my teeth. These *crosses fingers, toes and legs* should hopefully be the last photos of me with braces but I am not going to get my hopes up because I've done that before with many different appointments and come away disappointed everytime. See you soon!

Bye guys

What happened to me!

Hello,

Wow, the last time I posted was October last year. Since I last posted, a lot has happened. Donald Trump became president of the United States, we had Christmas, we had a New Year and we also had my half birthday (which was yesterday). I don't even have any major reason as to why I haven't posted aside working almost 7-8 days a week in a very low paid job. My whole life is consumed by my new job that I got in August and the temptation to go back to my old job is real. I believe I had an orthodontist appointment but I can not remember if I filled you in.

My orthodontist is waiting for my teeth to settle and then they can come off. They should be off sometime this year, but we shall see, I will try and keep you updated if I can. I'm currently going into my 6th day in a row at work tomorrow, so as you can imagine I am beyond tired. My next appointment is on the 8th February.

Another thing that happened this year that I haven't filled you into. I had a little accident with my car turning to early out of the car park at work (can you feel/see a recurring theme with work? yeah I am there almost everyday) and I caught it on a bollard and chipped some of the paint off my car under the back door on the left hand side of my car. It is going to take 4 days to repair and cost me £350. Thats half of my wages that I earm now. It's not ideal at all.

Anyway, I am going to go now, as I have 7 days until my mums birthday and to find her a birthday present. I also need a nap and a lot of coffee to keep me alive.

Bye guys
 

Brace Face Tag: Then and Now

Hi guys,

On the 1st August 2015, I posted the brace face tag. I thought it would be a fun idea to do it again and compare my answers from then to now. Here we go!!

1. When did you get your braces on?

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

Now: I got my top braces on in October 2014 and my bottom braces in June 2015. 

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

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

Now: Around a day. I only ever get tenderness now with every wire change but that last's a few hours, if that. 

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

Then: I would say a 5-6.

Now: Getting them on a 1. After a day, around a 5. Now with every wire change, its a 3.

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

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

Now: It was foods that I could easily swallow without having to do too much chewing, so pasta, chocolate.

5. How often do you get adjustments?

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

Now: I visit my orthodontist every 1-3 months for wire changes.

6. Do you wear rubber bands?

Then: I don't. 

Now: I did, but not anymore. I had Gorilla and Butterfly fish bands. 

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

Then: 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. 

Now: Not very often if I'm completely honest, but I do brush my teeth to make sure that squares are prevented. 

8. How often do you get them tightened?

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

Now: Every 1-3 months, I get wires fitted. 

9. Did you get to pick colours?

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

Now: I don't get to choose colours. 

10. Did you need jaw surgery?

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

Now: Nope. I was meant to have teeth removed, but they never did. 

11. Do you use wax?

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

Now: Not any more, however I still have it just in case I need it. 

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

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

Now:  Around 20 minutes for both. 

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

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

Now: Nope. 

14. How long do you have your braces on?

Then: 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!

Now: Clearly I was feeling optimistic last year! I thought I would've got them off last December, but I think that was wishful thinking. I've had my top braces on for 2 years, and my bottom braces on for a year and 3 months. I'm hoping sometime next year. If they aren't off before 2018, I will rip them off myself. I hate them now.  

Orthodontist Appointment Update

Hello,

I recently had my orthodonist appointment on Tuesday 25th October. I went to have wires put on. They were going to put new wires on both the bottom and top. My orthodontist started with the top wire and couldnt even get it off my teeth, it was stuck, so she just left it. She then tried to get the wire off the bottom and also struggled to get that off. After a lot of pushing and shoving and pain, the wire was off and replaced, from copper to stainless steel. I left the orthodontist in a lot of pain and went straight to work. The next day, while brushing my teeth, I realised that in the midst of pulling and pushing, she had popped one of my brackets off. This is the second time a bracket has come loose. Right now, I don't have the money to travel back to my orthodontist, therefore I am going to have to wait until payday to get it put back on. This is the 31st October.

Aside that, my teeth are okay, and I am so fed up of braces.... I want them off more than anything now. I am so beyond done with them and I would do anything to have them off. My next appointment is on the 7th December which seems so far away but it isn't. I will try and post more often but I work 6 days a week now so its difficult.

Bye guys.

What happened to me

Hello,

Feel like I have been a right stranger to my blog since July, so much has happened that I need to fill you in on. So the first thing is that I turned 18 on the 20th July. I had a wonderful 18th birthday with my family and I went out clubbing a few days after my 18th with some close friends to celebrate. We had a lovely evening and it was such a fantastic evening with everyone.

So then August hit, and I was pretty much full time at work and was constantly working to earn my money. I then had enough money to buy a car, so I bought a lovely black Volkswagen Polo on the 1st August, which I kept on the driveway until I passed my test, which I had booked for the 24th August. Before my test, I had my A Level results day. For people who don't live in the UK, AS and A Levels are something that is done when you are between the ages of 16-18 years of age. AS Levels are done in the first year, and A Levels are done in the second and final year. I recieved 3 A* and one C. I was very happy, however didn't do anything to celebrate as I didn't want to.

So a week later was my driving test. I had a really awful examinor who I absolutely hated and I just knew from the moment we set off it was going to be the worst 45 minutes of my life. At the same time as me, 3 other students were going out to do their test. So out of all of the students that went out (me and 3 others) I was the only one who passed. Yes, I passed my driving test, therefore I am able to drive a car on the UK roads. So, I then insured my car and waited for paperwork to come through, and my car was able to drive on the 1st September.

In the mids of passing my driving test and insuring my car, I also quit my old job and got a new job. I now work for David Lloyd Clubs. I absolutely love it and I'm so glad I no longer work where I used to work. So anyway, back to driving. I drove my car home from work on the 1st September (my mum drove the car up to my work so I could then drive it home). Long story short, the car broke down, completely shut itself off, me and my mum had to push the car up a hill and around a corner into a little side part of the road and wait for my dad to come and jump start it. My dad jump started it and my mum drove it home. As we got home, the car shut itself down again. The car is now on the driveway, up for sale. The car that I bought with my own money and loved dearly, is up for sale. Part of me is absolutely distraught, but I know its for the best.

So, I then went for my second option of car, which is a Hyundai i10 S. This car was cheap, affordable, however the only issue was that you had to get confirmation with finance. For new drivers, this can be so difficult to do, as you have no credit history etc. I was meant to pick the car up today however it wasn't quite ready for me as the company wanted me to have a guarantor. A guarantor is basically where you sign your parents up so if you can't make a payment one month, then the money then comes out of your parents account. I signed my dad up for it and the guarantor was unsuccessful. The only option left was for the finance to look at my last 3 previous bank statements to see if I can afford the car without a guarantor. Thankfully, I recieved the good news that I don't need a guarantor. All I need to do is send them my annual salary and get that checked off, and the car is mine. I should have it by this weekend.

My orthodontist appointment is on the 13th September, so I shall fill you in on how that goes. But yes, I have been extremely busy so hopefully this clears things up.

See you soon
Bye guys. 

Ask Me a Question!

Hello,

I wanted to upload something for you to read but I didn't have any teeth updates for you, so I looked through google and thought I would do a tag called 'Ask Me a Question'.  This tag is split into 6 categories and each category has a set of questions. Lets do this!

Have you ever...

1. Skipped Class? - Not when I was in primary school or in secondary school, but once I had reached sixth form, there was a lot more independence therefore skipping class could be done if you had reasons.
2. Done Drugs? - I have never done drugs no, and I do not intend on ever doing drugs.
3. Self-Harmed? - I have never self-harmed.
4. Drank? - I have occassionally had an alcoholic beverage but I am not someone who drinks all the time.
5. Shop-Lifted? - I have never shop lifted.
6. Got a tattoo? - As of right now, I do not have a tattoo however there are many that I would like to get in the future.
7. Broken up with someone? - I have broken up with someone but I haven't on my terms ended a relationship. I have come out of a relationship on other peoples terms, but I have never ended a relationship. I just don't think I have had the guts to and also, all of the relationships I have been in were lovely.

Whats your favourite...

1. Show? - My favourite TV show/programme would have to be either Geordie Shore or Love Island. I also love Ibiza Weekender when thats on TV.
2. Movie? - By far, Step Brothers. Or Pearl Harbor. If I need a film that I want to cry at, then Marley and Me is a classic. 
3. Song? - At the moment, it would have to be All My Love by Watermat, Becky Hill and Tai, but I also love Ariana Grande's new album a lot. 
4. Singer/Band?- Ariana Grande. I also love Rihanna and Beyonce, I just feel as though they are absolute classics.
5. Memory? - The whole of summer 2014. That was by far the best year of my life and also the best time of my life. I just have so many memories of that year and also so many different songs that take me back to that year.
6. Book? - It would have to be The Fault in Our Stars or Paper Towns, both by the author John Green. He just has such a magical way of writing and I always find myself lost in the first page.

This or that...

1. Invisibility or the ability to fly? - It would have to be invisibility, just imagine what you could get away with.
2. Cookies or cake? - Cake all the way. My favourite cake has to be red velvet or chocolate cake.
3. Twitter or Facebook? - This is so hard because I love both social media apps for different reasons but it would have to be Facebook.
4. Coke or Sprite? - I love both so it depends on what mood I'm in. Right this moment, I don't fancy either.
5. Blind or dead? - I really don't know. I think I would rather be dead than blind. I struggle to see anyway without the help of glasses at times but I can't imagine walking on an earth where you can't see anything and have to rely on others to get you around. Its a lack of independence which is something I am fond of. I love to be independent and I feel as though independence is something you would lack if you were blind. 

What's your...

1.  Age? - I am 17, and will be 18 in 6 days from now.
2. Height? - I believe I am 5ft 3.
3. Star Sign? - I am a Cancer.
4. Sexual Orientation? - I am straight, however whatever your sexual orientation, you are still beautiful and amazing.
5. Longest Relationship? - 5 years.

What's your opinion on...

1.  Gay rights? - If you are gay, you are just as amazing and just as worthy as everyone else. My cousin is gay and two of my bestest friends are gay and I love them both equally even if they were straight. No matter who you love, as long as you stay true to you and don't try to be something you aren't, then you are amazing and you are perfect and people will still love you just as much.
2. Second Chances? - I am a big believer of second chances and am always giving people a second chance to prove themselves. I sometimes can be quite forgiving however and give more than the second chance, which is very common.
3. Long Distance Relationships? - I don't feel as though there is nothing wrong with long distance relationships. Obviously, love is love, however far away the other person may be. As long as you make sure to keep in contact and give the other person independence when they need it, then I think long distance relationships can work.
4. Abortion? - This takes me right back to when I was studying Religious Studies in year 11. Personally, I don't think abortion is wrong as long as the mother has reasons and is strong with her reasoning. For example, if the mother of the child had been raped, and doesn't feel as though she can continue to support and provide for that child because of the horrific past she has been through, then this is understandable and abortion should be respected. 
5. Love? - Love is love, whoever you love. I believe that love is a strong feeling that happens between two people and amazing things can come from being in love such as memories made and sometimes a future. 

Do you...

1.  Believe in Ghosts? - Yes, I believe in ghosts.
2. Sleep with the door open or closed? - Door closed, 100%.
3. Have a significant other? - I do not have a significant other.
4. Like yourself? - I went through a long period of time where I did not like myself and my self-esteem was very low. But as time has gone on, I now feel as though I can love myself and I can finally respect me and love who I am and what I look like.

 Thats it!

Bye guys

Driving Test Disaster

Hello,

Hope you are all well. So on Monday, I had my first ever driving test at 9:37am. If you haven't guessed by the title of this blog, I sadly did not pass. I thought however it would be beneficial for me to do a blog talking about the driving test experience and how it went so that any of you who are maybe having lessons or have a test booked can know what happens and how my experience went.

So, my driving instructor did an hours lesson with me before my test begun to go over the manoveures and just do a few test routes to refresh my mind. For those of you who aren't aware, you get asked on your driving test to complete one manoveure. It used to be two but they recently changed this so that you now only have to do one, however this may be different if you aren't from the UK. You will get either a bay park, parallel park, reverse around a corner or a turn in a road. You could also get asked to perform an emergency stop. I will get to what one I had in a second. I also went over all of the show me tell me questions. These can be found online if you google them (link here) and your instructor will usually talk you through these once you have passed your driving theory test. This is something we do in the UK, so don't be alarmed if you are not from the UK and you don't do show me, tell me questions. The show me, tell me questions are asked before you drive and you get asked two questions. This could be one show me and one tell me or two tell me questions or two show me questions.

So anyway, my driving instructor picked me up from my house at 8:20am. I would recommend a morning test as the roads are less busy therefore you stand a better chance of driving better. I had to pay for a two hour lesson as I was using my instructors car for 2 hours. This cost me £44 plus the driving test fee which was £62. If you are from the UK and would prefer a weekend or evening test, you have to pay £75. To your test, you have to bring your provisional licence, and your theory certificate (if your test centre asks for it, mine did not). I also brought a bottle of water and some Kalms tablets to settle my nerves beforehand and my mobile which I turned off before my lesson begun.

So anyway, we drove around for an hour and did my manoveures and learnt how to do an emergency stop and then I drove us to the test centre. I parked up, and got out of the car and sat in the test centre. My examiner then came out and I can't tell you how happy I was that it was a man. His name was Mark and he seemed so lovely and sweet and made me feel at ease. I showed him my licence and he asked me to sign the double declaration. The double declaration is a little box that you sign that states that you are insured on the vehicle and that you have lived in the UK for over 185 days or 12 months. Once that was signed, we went outside and did the eye test. This is something that every student is made to do. You have to be able, as a driver, to read a number plate that is 20m away. You get three attempts on your test and if you fail to read the number plates on the attempts given, you fail straight away. Luckily, I had my glasses on and was able to successfully read the number plate.

We then approached my car, where I was asked to open the bonnet. I opened the bonnet and was asked 'Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil'. This was the tell me question. I replied with the corect answer and then we moved onto the next question. The next question was 'Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.' This was another tell me question, to which I replied with the correct answer. I was then asked to get into my side of the car and make myself comfortable. Once I was comfortable the examiner gave me my first set of directions and I was on my way. 

Luckily, the route that I had gone on when I had my hour lesson beforehand was the route that I got for my driving test, so I was very familiar with all the roads. All was going well and I was checking all mirrors and really concentrating, making sure to impress the examinor. I then had a set of instructions to follow which was to take the next road on the left. This road on the left couldn't have been anymore tighter or horrible. It was so tight and to make matters worse the road I was about to go up was an uphill road and some young lad in his white polo was tailgaiting me the whole way up to the turning. Because of this, I panicked and didn't get my gear in time so I ended up going around this tight bend in third gear. Because I was in third gear, I then stalled and was stuck facing uphill and on a slight angle with the polo still tailgaiting me the whole way. I got first gear and tried to get my clutch control correct but when I took my foot off the brake, I rolled and almost hit the car behind me. As soon as I had done that, I knew I had failed so I just continued the test just doing the best I could. 

When it came to manoveures, I was given a parallel park. Luckily these are one of my favourites so I was confident when doing the manoveure. I got no minors for my parallel park. I also recieved an emergency stop, for which I also recieved no minors. I then had my independent drive. This is 10 minutes that you are given to show what you can do without being told directions etc. This went fine and I recieved no minors for that. I then drove us back to the test centre, knowing I had failed and he told me just that. I knew I had failed so luckily I didn't feel too bad about it, but it still hurt that the one thing that I'm usually really good at, I failed on because I let my nerves get the better of me. Even the examiner was disappointed and said that my drive was excellent and that I was a really confident driver but because of that one little mistake, he had to fail me. 

So there you have it. That was my first driving test experience. Some words of wisdom for people planning to book or putting off booking; Just do it. Honestly, if I hadn't have put it off, I would've passed by now but where I put it off for months, I had to wait ages. Also, all UK drivers, the current earliest test that I can find avaliable is September, so book it now and practice up until the day of your test. Also, if there is anything you want to practice with your instructor, ask them. They are there to help you out. Another word of advice is that the test is only 38-40 minutes long and the test flies by. The examiners are all human, just like you and I, so you don't need to be scared of them. They are just there to see what you know and what you've been taught. 

My next test is in August, but I'm constantly refreshing the cancellations page to see if I can get an earlier test and do my driving test sooner. See you all soon

Bye guys

No more elastics!

Hi guys,

I had an orthodontic appointment today and I no longer have to have my elastic bands on! I am really happy that I don't have to wear them anymore as they were really annoying and inconvenient and painful at times but now I just have braces! They replaced the wire on my bottom jaw but aside that, I was done.

I have two appointments, one in September and the other in October so that's exciting! I'll let you know more about them soon. I'll try and blog between now and them appointments so keep your eyes peeled,

Bye guys,

Long Awaited Photos

Hello guys,

Here are some long, LONG awaited photos of my current mouth situation. I feel like its been a very long time since I've sat down and took photos of my teeth and other bits and bobs, so it feels good to be finally showing you whats going on.

As I am typing this, I have been awake for about 6 hours and a few odd minutes. I overslept this morning and woke up at half 12, so please ignore the hoodie and pj top you can see in these photos. Its been a slouchy morning and I have loved every second of it.

 Here are some front profile photos of my teeth. You can see that my teeth are still quite straight and looking really lovely. I'm so excited because I am hoping that because they are straight and my bite has improved that they can come off soon. The day my braces come off and I can smile with lovely straight teeth will be the best day ever! I know I won't be able to stop smiling and I'm going to be taking tonnes of selfies! One thing that does make me a little consious about my teeth is the chip that is on my front tooth. I'm not sure if you can notice it in the top image but you can see it more evidently in the bottom image.

 I'm really not sure what can be done about the chip. Maybe when I get my braces off, it won't bother me as much as it does now. Maybe it could get filled so that it is not as noticeable but I'm really not sure. I remember reading someone else's blog ages ago and they filed the tooth down so that they were all in alignment but I dont really know how I feel about that because the base of my front two teeth are so weak so I'm worried that filing them down will just make it worse. We will have to see but I will see what they look like when they come off and then decide (or if they even come off!).

 Now for the close ups. This is a very close up image of the inside of my mouth and its kind of creepy, so I'm hoping all of you aren't too put off by seeing the inside of my mouth. Anyway, you can see the band situation that is going on in my mouth. I have a band around my top molar and it allows a band to be hooked from the inside to the outside of the bottom molar. In this photo, I have a Gorilla band however, I am meant to try the Butterfly Fish bands (if you have never had braces or never experienced the elastic bands, then you are probably very confused at the moment).

Here are some photos of the elastic bands. As you can see, I've turned into a right little blogger and made this look as fancy as possible and tried to get some good lighting. I hope you appreciate it. Anyway, to the bands. The bands to the left are my Gorilla bands. They have latex in them and are a lot bigger and stretchier than compared to the bands on the right. The bands that can be seen on the right are the Butterfly Fish bands. These bands do not have any latex in them and are smaller and less stretchier than compared to the Gorilla bands. The yellow thing that you can see in this image is a tool that I used for the first week when I had the bands to help me hook the bands to the inside of my mouth. The tool helped so thats good, but I'm not reliant on it anymore.


So thats a quick photo update for you all! I hope all of you are well. I'm not at school anymore which is amazing. I have one exam in June but aside that, I am a finished student! I don't think its really sunk in that I've finished, but we can wait until prom for that to sink in. Its going to be weird getting to next Monday and not having to get up to get the bus and go to school.

Another update; I've booked my driving test! Eeek! It's at the end of June and I'm excited and nervous all at once. Fingers crossed that I pass so that I can drive and have so much freedom and go wherever I want to. If it gets to July though and I haven't mentioned anything about it, just assume that I failed. I turn 18 in July which is also exciting. I think I'm going clubbing which will be cool, I'm a little worried though because I'm a lightweight so it won't take me long to be drunk and if we stay out for a long time, I hate to think what I'll be like at the end of it.

Anyway, see you soon!
Bye guys. 

The life of elastics..

Hey guys,

I haven't spoke in a very long time. The last blog post I did was a dentist appointment I had which was in February. It's now April... I am really sorry for the recent disappearance, school has been busy and I've been working all weekend of March so I've not had any free time.  I had 2 orthodontist appointments recently in March were I got given a metal ring which has an appliance on the side. It allows me to hook elastics from the inside of my top jaw to the outside of my bottom jaw, in the hope to move my top jaw one way and the bottom jaw the other way. I'll get some images up soon, but seeing as I'm writing this at half 9 in the evening, the lighting will not allow me to show it with justice.

The elastics I have been given are Gorilla elastics for the start, however when I get used to them, I am supposed to move onto the Butterly Fish elastics. I will also take pictures of these when I have better lighting so you are able to see the different elastics. The Gorilla elastics are more flexible and stretchy and can stretch a lot further than compared to the Butterfly Fish elastics which are thicker and not as stretchy and flexible which makes them harder to hook to the appliances. I am trying to get on with the Butterfly Fish but they are not easy to work with.

My next orthodontist appointment is in May I believe, so hopefully that'll be good news. I will try and get a blog with photos up in the next week but I have a lot of different coursework pieces to get in before the end of May as well as an exam in June to revise for. Lots of pressure in a small amount of time.

Bye guys

Dentist Appointment

Hi guys,

I recently had a dentist appointment on the 2nd February. The appointment was only a checkup to make sure that my teeth are healthy. The appointment went really well, I have no holes in my teeth and the only issue is slight staining that they want to sort out in my next appointment which is on the 18th July (which happens to be 2 days before my 18th birthday!)

My next orthodontist appointments are at the start of March so be prepared to have a blog on them soon, but everything is a-okay!

Bye guys

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