On January 15, 2018 I did it, y’all this forty something year old gal got braces. I started noticing a few of my bottom teeth shifting towards each other when I was in my mid twenties. By the time I got to be forty I could feel the teeth shifting at times, additionally it became very noticeable in the appearance of my teeth. One tooth in particular was overlapping another and it made all of my teeth in that area look really bunched together. After doing a little research on invisalign and traditional braces and having consultations with three different Orthodontists, I made the choice to get traditional braces. I got ceramic on top and silver on the bottom, my orthodontist does not do ceramic on the bottom teeth. I honestly didn’t think I needed braces on my top teeth, apparently I do. My treatment will last 14-18 months and so begins my journey.

Problem Area

What to expect, the process of putting the actual braces on my teeth took all of 30 minutes, there was absolutely no pain involved. After getting them put on, my orthodontist’s exact words were, go get something to eat now because in about 4 hours you won’t be able to eat a piece of bread without hurting… Boy was she right! She failed to tell me that eating would be gross, weird and gross! I was given a list of foods that I could and could not eat, so I headed on down to the Noodle Company to get me a big ole bowl of mac and cheese. Eating felt very weird, like I was eating food with teeth whiting trays in my mouth, additionally, pieces of the food got caught all up and in between my braces, it was so gross and you will sound like a billy goat when you are eating, I annoyed the heck out my out my own self! I must have brushed my teeth at least 10 time before the pain hit me.

Food all up inside my braces, GROSS!

Let’s talk about the pain, LAWD the PAIN… There is no preparing for it, just know you will need Tylenol or what ever your choice of “knock me out” is on deck ummmK! Your teeth will feel as if they are loose, due to them shifting. By the first week of having my braces, although still there, the pain had subsided a lot. Eating does not feel as weird, but it’s still gross! I am learning to cope with the fact that I can’t eat my Skinny Pop popcorn…. Sigh! OH, yeah remember that list of foods you can and can’t eat, yeah…. just yeah… The good thing is I had already started back making smoothies and  homemade soups so, giving up the crunchy goods has not been as bad as I thought it would be; braces just might help me reach my weight-loss goal. Hey gotta look at the bright side of things right.

Looking at the bright side of things…

Putting it all into perspective, during this first week I can’t report any visible changes to my problem area, at this point I can only feel my teeth shifting. My orthodontist advised that it could take 4 or more weeks before I see a change in the look of my teeth. I Probably should have done this when I was in my 20s or 30s, only because my threshold for pain was a lot higher.

The start of this journey confirms for me that you are never too old to better yourself, pursue your dreams, start a family etc., no matter how big or small it is, go for it. Even if it’s just getting braces.

This is going to be an exciting journey and I hope you take it with me. I’d love to read your experiences or tips, feel free to go to our Facebook page and post your questions, tips or experience with braces under our latest video featuring yours truly. I will definitely keep you updated on my journey via blog and our Facebook page. Stay tuned!

At first I was like, I don’t know about this.

Then I was like, well maybe.

Finally, I was like this isn’t so bad. Smile yo way through it, braces and all!