I’m a toother and I’m not afraid to admit itNovember 2nd, 2006 @ 7:01 am
I went to the dentist yesterday. The first time since I was pregnant with Babboo. The length of time between dental visits was very uncharacteristic of me.
You see, I’m what you call a toother. Meaning I’m all about the teeth. This all began in the womb when my Mom took fluoride supplements to ensure my own dental health. As a child I was also given fluoride tablets and taught the correct way to clean my teeth. Every night before my bath, my Mom would floss my teeth for me. I never missed a dental appointment. And never had a cavity.
About the time I realized boys, I also realized I had jacked up teeth. I was the owner a fine snaggle tooth as well as some other overlaps and gaps. This was all made more apparent because of my large gummy smile. There was no missing the horror of my mouth when I smiled. But I wasn’t about to quit smiling. Instead of did the whole “cover my mouth when I smile” trick, which fools no one.
I began begging my parents to get me braces. The truth was we were poor and couldn’t afford them. But my Mom was never straight forward with me. She always told me, “you’re teeth aren’t that bad.” Okay, anytime you have to say “that bad”, you know there’s trouble.
I kept begging and begging. Especially when my best friends Marci and Jamie both got braces. And their teeth weren’t as bad as mine. (I’ll never forget the time that Jamie told me my teeth reminded her of a “picket fence”. Nice friend.) As always, my Mom would blow me off.
Then my younger brother got braces.
I was pissed. I complained and moaned and bitched. By this time I was 20, so as far as my parents were concerned they were no longer responsible for my dental well-being. I was buying my own toothpaste and footing my dental bills.
I never gave up my dream for braces.
It was about this time that I started getting cavities. A lot of cavities. Every time I went in for a cleaning they would find more cavities. It was like they had all been hiding my entire life, just waiting until I was paying my own bills to come out. Of course I didn’t have good insurance, so it was killing me.
Eventually the cavities stopped appearing. I was back on track to having nice-ish teeth. I continued to brush after every meal, and then some. I still flossed daily and made sure to get my teeth cleaned every 6 months.
My first husband and I were young and dumb. I never thought about paying for my own braces. We couldn’t have afforded it anyway. The dream was slowing fading away.
When I moved out to Seattle and married The King I got a real job at a real company in a real office building downtown where people wore suits and worked in offices. Jacked up teeth and professional careers don’t mix. My teeth insecurities began to emerge again. I wanted a movie star smile.
I began doing my research on orthodontist in the area. I got a list from my dentist, looked online, asked around and started to visit offices and compare prices. It seemed that no matter what the orthodontist and his officer were like, the price was the same; expensive.
The King really wasn’t into me getting braces. He said the same thing my Mom had always said; “they aren’t that bad.” I didn’t buy it. I knew they were bad. I felt like they were bad.
After doing my research and convincing The King, I got adult braces. I didn’t do for the clear Invisalign braces. Heck, I didn’t even go for the clear braces. I went all out and just got the silver brace face braces, ala Ugly Betty. I figured there was no hiding the braces, so I might as well just own it.
I suffered through the braces for over 2 years. I was paying for them so I was diligent in their upkeep. I wore the needed hardware, applied the tiny elastic bands after every meal, flossed daily and never missed an orthodontist appointment. I was brave and even wore the colored bands for different holidays and what not. (Of course, I usually just got the black bands, to go with all the black clothes that I wear.)
The day I got my braces off was one of the happiest days of my life. (I also went to my first Old 97’s concert that same day, so I’ll never forget it.) Gone was the snaggle tooth and gummy smile. I had the movie star teeth I had been dreaming about since I was a kid. Who cares that we were making payments. I was happy. I felt good about myself. I no longer had to cover my mouth when I laughed.
(I refuse to crop the background out of this picture. Mostly because it was taken in Chamonix, France while we were taking a tram up in the Alps. This is one of my favorite pictures of me because we were having such a great vacation.)
There are no words to say that could explain how having my braces has changed my perception of myself. My confidence has grown by leaps and bounds. Just because of some silly metal wires that were bent and shaped with pliers.
Yesterday the dentist found a cavity. It’s not a big deal. And as long as my teeth are still straight, I’m happy.
I rock · Back in the day
Frema
said,
November 2, 2006 at 4:47 pm
It’s funny that your post today is about the dentist; just two days ago I made cleaning appointments for Luke and me for after Thanksgiving. Luke hasn’t seen the dentist in, like, ten years. That’s going to be a fun day.
Also, you have beautiful teeth. (And fun glasses to boot!) The money for the braces was well worth it.
Mrs. CPA
said,
November 2, 2006 at 5:12 pm
I had braces as a child, for 3 years. I, like most stupid teenagers, didn’t wear my retainers like I should have, and now they look bad again. I know it’s hard to imagine, but my mouth is too small for all the teeth that are supposed to fit in there.
I desperatly want braces again, but $5,000 is a lot of money even with a pre-tax money.
Rachel
said,
November 2, 2006 at 5:55 pm
I had braces for 4, read ‘em, 4 years! But, once they came off, I loved my “new” teeth. I noticed that I did smile more. Braces are a wonderful thing, a pain to get and take care of, but worth the money and the hassle.
Jessie
said,
November 2, 2006 at 6:09 pm
That’s such a happy story
. Glad you got them for yourself. I never had a cavity until I had to pay for it myself either, and that sucks. I am practically religious about the dentist and brushing too. My husband hadn’t been for 8 years when I finally made him go a year ago, and he only had one cavity. Pretty amazing, huh? Neither one of us needed braces either. I’m hoping our kids inherit our good teeth.
anna
said,
November 2, 2006 at 6:49 pm
I had braces for 3 years when I was in Jr High/High school. My singly mom didn’t have the money, but apparently my teeth were so bad that a kind older lady donated them.
The dentist has warned me that braces are coming in the next 2-3 years for my older kiddos. We have already started saving.
Erika
said,
November 2, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Yes, the finished product is beautiful!! It really makes me want to do the whitening thing.
www.areyouteethpeople.com
Rachael
said,
November 2, 2006 at 8:23 pm
Your teeth are hott. And so is Rhett Miller. Coincidence? Definitely not.
Christar
said,
November 2, 2006 at 8:42 pm
That makes me so sad that your parents got your brother braces, and not you!!!
I had really ugly, bad teeth when I was younger. I have a major fear of dentists because of all the treatment I had to have on my teeth. I had a gap the size of the Grand Canyon and it was said I would need braces. Some sort of miracle happened when some of my adult teeth came in, it closed the gap (with help of a retainer) and I never had to get braces! I absolutely LOVE when people compliment my teeth, because even though they’re not perfect, they are a TON better than before.
Jennifer
said,
November 2, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Sometimes I think we may be long lost sisters or something. We are too much alike.
I have always been a tooth person too, if for the opposite reason you were. I was born with nice, straight teeth, and both my brothers suffered with braces for years. My littlest brother’s teeth were REALLY bad, and he even had to have spacers and all kinds of other crazy, expensive, painful stuff. My mom always said, “You’re so lucky you have perfect teeth, you better take good care of them!” And so I became an OCD brusher and flosser.
If I don’t floss my teeth at night, they just don’t feel clean. I brush my teeth for like 5 minutes. In fact, I don’t brush… I scrub. Which has recently been identified as the cause of my sensitive teeth. I thought it was cavities, silly me.
I now have an electric toothbrush to help with the overbrushing, but I’ve been thinking of having my teeth whitened. I just don’t feel like I have that movie-star smile either, and sometiems it makes me really embarrased. I love coffee and Diet Coke, so it’s no surprise that they’re stained.
I guess everyone has something, right? But I feel strongly that if something bothers you, even if other people say it’s not that bad, you should just get it fixed. Self esteem is priceless
Your new smile is lovely, btw.
Hilary
said,
November 2, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Oh, you will NEVER see a pic of my teeth pre-braces. They were bad bad bad. Yours? Not bad. Mine? BAD!
They still aren’t straight because over the years, they have slowly started shifting again. I so want a movie star smile but it’s just not ever going to be in the cards.
Kathleen
said,
November 2, 2006 at 10:05 pm
First, Chamonix!! I looove Chamonix! I once spent a week there; it was incredible.
Second, your post just made me want to find a good dentist and go get my teeth cleaned. We didn’t have dental insurance for a while, but we just got it again, so it’s been too long. Do you have any dentist recommendations? We need a good one.
Third, let me just go on record as saying that I suck because I haven’t emailed you back and it’s been, like, a month. I promise I will do it soon!
Lindsey
said,
November 2, 2006 at 11:40 pm
When I was a kid I had a cavity here and there, but now I swear, everytime I go to the dentist I get a new cavity. It’s also funny that you should write about this today because I just got home to a bill for my most recent trip to the dentist, cavity included. $200 I really don’t want to pay right now. DAMN TEETH!
melissa b.
said,
November 3, 2006 at 1:36 am
I got Invisalign!! It was the best thing I ever did for myself. I had terrible teeth, in the FRONT of all places, and I hated them. Nine months later? Perfection.
Your teeth are gorgeous!
girl from florida
said,
November 3, 2006 at 3:16 am
You are goooorgeous! Gorgeous! Absolutely stunning! With movie star teeth!
I also just went to the dentist for the first time since I found out I was pregnant. I am also a toothie. It’s a strange obsession of mine and all my friends constantly tease me about it.
MK
said,
November 3, 2006 at 4:49 am
Good for you for doing something for yourself that made you feel good! And is also good fo ryour health! You will less liekly to get cavities if your teeth are properly spaced and not overlapping of each other.
I go this month to get my teeth cleaned for the 1st time since having Abbie. I am sure I will have cavities. they say it is commen when you are pg.
alyndabear
said,
November 3, 2006 at 7:34 am
That’s a gorgeous photo because HELLO? Straight teeth! Alps! Could you get any better?
I hate dentists, especially since I always have cavities despite being paranoid about my teeth. They’re evil. EVIL.
Jezer
said,
November 3, 2006 at 2:21 pm
I always wanted braces, too, but my parents wouldn’t let me get them. Your teeth look fabulous!
Lizzy
said,
November 3, 2006 at 3:33 pm
I am no a toothy. I abhor the dentist. Luckily, I’ve got good teeth–after 4 years of orthadonture. I need a bloody mary and a valium just to get in the car (someone else must drive, clearly) to go to the dentist to have an evaluation.
This all stems from the unfortunate and cruel removal of a wisdom tooth ala Little Shop of Horrors. A prick of Novacaine and some pliers. Yozah!
I’m breaking out into hives just thinking about the dentist right now. Really.
However, your teeth are lovely. And your smile is beautiful!
CPA Mom
said,
November 3, 2006 at 4:02 pm
That is a GREAT shot of you! I had braces for years as a preteen and headgear too. My orthodontist took off the permanent retainer on the bottom right before we moved away and my teeth shifted. So when we moved back, and I ended up working with his wife, she talked him into putting braces back on the bottom for free. So I went through the whole torture again (but at least it was free!). But afterwards, I never wore my night time retainer so they are crooked again. Lesson: wear your retainer.
Art Nerd Lauren
said,
November 3, 2006 at 4:02 pm
OMG! I wrote about teeth and dentists yesterday as well! Weird!
Kelly
said,
November 3, 2006 at 5:28 pm
I was really lucky and never needed braces… but I can imagine how great it must be to finally have that smile you always wanted!!
Your teeth are beautiful!
goldmoon
said,
November 3, 2006 at 6:54 pm
Oh my gosh, this whole post could have been written by me (other than the part where you actually got the braces because I never did). My husband calls me a ‘teeth snob’ because I always notice everyone else’s teeth, more than likely because I am so self-conscious of my own.
Heather B.
said,
November 3, 2006 at 8:18 pm
You are too freakin’ pretty. And obviously your teeth look fantastic as well.
Sara
said,
November 3, 2006 at 8:25 pm
Your teeth are so pretty! I lived in some sort of orthodontia for nearly 10 years, but it was worth it. My husband is considering braces now; apparently adult braces are more in vogue because having straight teeth helps to keep the roots strong. Or something like that. It’s going to be expensive, but (I think) worth it. It’s easy for me to say, because I won’t be the one putting wax in my mouth and dealing with retainers.
Anyway — beautiful!
marsha
said,
November 3, 2006 at 9:22 pm
I got braces when I was thirty years old. I also wore them for two years. It was a long two years…but i DON’T REGRET getting my braces.
hola, isabel » does it count as King Friday if the post doesn’t happen until this late in the day?
said,
November 3, 2006 at 10:23 pm
[…] But we’re gonna cut him some slack since he’s probably going to be sick next. Oh, and he paid for my braces. Oh, and he’s building us a house. […]
Lisa B
said,
November 6, 2006 at 4:21 am
My mom is a dental assistant. So she was completely anal about the teeth. At the time I needed braces, I was so bummed. But once in high school, I was SO freaking happy I had them.
To this day, still… So very happy. So yes, I can completely relate to how happy you are now.
And having that extra sense of confidence is priceless! Think of all of the mental energy you spent worrying about your teeth… And how that stopped when those braces came off!
hola, isabel » Marci, Marci, Marci
said,
December 20, 2006 at 3:26 pm
[…] Slowly we became better friends. We realized we lived near each other, had some of the same likes, plus, we cracked each other up. Next thing I knew, we were inseparable. You couldn’t find Marci without finding me close by. The funny thing is that Marci and I weren’t a lot alike. She dressed better then I did, had better hair, better teeth, a cuter brother, and was probably a little smarter than I was. […]
Nap Queen
said,
December 23, 2006 at 12:34 am
Your teeth are beautiful!!! You know, I didn’t get my first cavity until a few months ago. It was a crappy feeling.
I think my skin was/is my feature that I would like to change. I still get huge pimples despite all the medication I use to stop them. I wish I could get photofacials, but they are EXPENSIVE, too.
PS, CUTE glasses!!
hola, isabel » Blog Archive » In which I finally talk about my exhusband
said,
June 5, 2007 at 10:42 pm
[…] Every time I look at my own MySpace profile I wonder if he’s found me. What does he think about my life now? Does he wonder what I’m doing married to a brunette and living in Seattle? What does he think about my baby? Does he think I look different? Does he think I’m prettier now that I’ve gotten my teeth fixed? Does he wonder why I’ve posted so many pictures of trips I’ve taken around the world? Does he even know that I always dreamed of traveling? Does he think of me and miss me? […]
hola, isabel » Blog Archive » Excess baggage. I believe we’ve all got it.
said,
September 12, 2007 at 5:54 pm
[…] I was the girl that always sat outside the circle because my hair was wrong or my clothes were wrong. I was the girl that didn’t have the boyfriend or the date to prom. I was the girl that was just overweight enough that I was never one of the pretty girls. I was the girl with bad teeth, horrible hair, and hairy legs. […]
Too bad my crowns aren’t made of gold. Or diamonds for that matter. | hola, isabel
said,
March 11, 2008 at 4:25 pm
[…] Too bad my crowns aren’t made of gold. Or diamonds for that matter.March 11th, 2008 @ 7:01 am I went in yesterday for my first ever crown. I got two of them. While this may sound like I got a set of freakin’ tiaras, I did not. Actually, I wasn’t sure what exactly I was getting done to my precious teeth. All I knew was that it was going to cost $415.80 and be done in time for me to pick Babboo up from school. […]
In which I thought I saw my ex-husband this weekend | hola, isabel
said,
April 14, 2008 at 3:59 pm
[…] I was 22 years old when I met my first husband. That was a long time ago. Back then I had short hair. More specifically I had short, blonde hair. I also hadn’t had my adult braces yet, and was walking around with my snaggle teeth. Styles were different then and I didn’t go anywhere without my shirt tucked in and a pair of Dr. Martins on my feet. […]