I believe that I am on aligner #12…
… so 60% into this adventure. Wearing my aligners and not wearing my aligners has become normal so I am not thinking about it as much. It is going well and getting better and better. I am having no discomfort at all. Dr. Gallagher has decided that I should stay with a set for a full 2 weeks before going on to the next one. Changing every other Saturday is easy to remember and works out well. I am noticing differences in the way my teeth look, and in the way my teeth feel.
I suppose getting straighter teeth is a it like losing weight.
If you indicate to someone that they are losing weight or look thin – you are sort of implying that they needed to lose weight or used to be fat. It is kind of the same thing as doing anything to improve one’s appearance. It’s interesting to me; the people who know that I am doing this comment frequently, ‘WOW, your smile looks great!” but those who don’t know anything about it aren’t saying anything specific about my teeth. I might get a comment like, ‘what a great photo…’ or ‘you look so nice…’, but there’s nothing specific about my pearly whites.
A difference is that I am actually smiling – BIG – in photographs. I am not running away from selfies with friends and family. So, when I look in the mirror or look in a photograph, I can see improvements.
One thing I questioned my dentist about…
is that my teeth are not aligning symmetrically. I have mentioned that my upper front teeth turn inward slightly which has created a shadow in smiles. This ‘condition’ is changing, but not simultaneously. I assumed that they would move together, or at the same time, but it seems that one is getting into the appropriate position faster than the other one. Dr. Gallagher assured me that this is all on the correct path and that I shouldn’t be concerned. I am just hoping that they catch up with each other in the correct symmetrical position.
My teeth also feel different.
When I eat, I take out my aligners and then do my best to do a ‘tongue sweep’ (get every crumb!) before brushing and/or flossing. My teeth feel smooth, there are less bumps and crevices. I have never really thought much about feeling my teeth before but it’s a cool sensation. I guess my teeth are becoming appropriate friends with each other – standing side by side as they are supposed to. Flossing is easier and more effective. I can’t say that I have ever had any difficulty eating, but biting into a sandwich feels more efficient than it used to.
So a few more days with #12 and then on to #13.
I have 16 to 17 more weeks on this journey. I have done a bit of bleaching/teeth whitening but decided to wait until my last couple of weeks to really do it – I’ll be ready for Valentine’s Day and lots of ruby red lipstick.
Louise C.
